Divyarakshalayam

DIVYARAKSHAKA SOCIAL AND CHARITABLE SOCIETY Reg. No.1/729/99 MYLACOMBU P.O, THODUPUZHA, IDUKKI (Dt) Kerala, India . Pin: 685584, Ph: 04862-200415, 201561 e-mail address: divyarakshaka@gmail.com website : www.holyredeemers.com

INTRODUCTION

Divyarakshaka Social and Charitable Society is a registered charitable institution with a vowed intention of giving all possible services to the poorest of the poor in the society. Described below in detail are the origin of the society, the objectives, the list of members in the managing committee, the different activities it has undertaken, the contribution it has made to the society, the awards won for its sincere service, the nature of its function, the assets of the society, the beneficiaries of its efforts, the addresses of the Banks with whom the society bank with and the aspirations of the society about the future.


(One of the Residents when on the street)

THE ORIGIN OF THE SOCIETY

Tomy, a youngster who is in his early twenties with full of dynamism and courage set out for this new mission of sheltering wandering mental patients. Empathy moved Tomy to take up this difficult task , as you know great risk is involved in such sort of activities.
There was a man called Mani, literally on the street in our home town Thodupuzha, Idukki (Dt), Kerala, South India, for about fifteen years. He was a wandering mental patient. He had lost all his human features, a fierce looking man , of course a constant nuisance in the town. The public abused him in return. He was indeed a question mark to the social conscience. Tomy picked him from the street and hospitalized him by the help of another charitable society called Snehadeepam, Thodpuzha. The psychiatric treatment that was given to him brought in good results. He was never again back to his same old misery. When he was discharged after one and a half months of treatment he was rehabilitated at Tomy’s home for about two years. Then, when the number of patients increased to four at home, with the blessing of his parents he moved into another home on the 15th June 1996. His father gave him three acres of the ancestral property where there was a small house in it for the same purpose. Within the span of ten years he was able to take care of 1150 mental patients.

In the year 1998 he began another centre for the orphans and abandoned mothers. Another society was registered for the same purpose in the year 2000, namely Mother and Child foundation, where he himself is the secretary. His mother donated one and half acres of land which was in her name, in memory of our late father Mr. Mathai Mathew . Mr.Thomas Myladoor, the president of the society, a citizen cum resident of Italy most graciously built a spacious and marvelous building with an area of 22 thousand square foot, for the children by his own effort costing 80 lakhs. Among the 135 children who are taken care of by the society, 100 are going to the school
.
There are 22 unwed or abandoned mothers also being looked after most lovingly. They have a separate home built for them. Those mothers are engaged in various kinds of activities like, agriculture, house hold duties, as home nurses, in the umbrella-assembling unit etc.
Within the span of nine years we were able to extend our service especially for these three categories of people. Selfless service is our motto and it is the best form of worship as we consider it.

1.Our objectives.

1.1 To extend all possible help to the mentally and physically ill or disabled people for their medical treatment, especially those who are discarded by their family relatives and the society at large.
1.2 To extend all possible help to the financially weak people and to all those who suffer from natural calamities.

1.3 To instill confidence and hope in those who have lost all hopes and to rehabilitate those who have under gone treatment for mental or physical illness and who have none to look after them.
1.4 To establish, support, maintain or grant aids to hospitals, hostels, rehabilitation centers or other institutions with a view to help the abandoned, the aged, the handicapped, the destitute and the suffering people.
1.5 To establish, support, maintain or grant aids to homes, orphanages or other establishments for relief and help to the needy, the poor, the destitute people, orphans and widows.
1.6 To buy property or properties such as land, buildings and other assets, movable or immovable and maintain the same for the purpose and objects mentioned herein.
1.7 To educate the illiterate and to enlighten the victims of drug abuse and alcoholism with a view to liberate them from such addictions and re-armor them
morally
(Returning to Life) .

1.8 To establish, maintain and run studentships, scholarships and render other kind of aid to individuals, including supply of medicines, books, stipends, medals and other incentives to study, with out any discrimination of caste, color or creed.



(Recognition Certificate

1.9 To foster Pro-life activities like deterrence of suicide, abortion etc
1.10 To conduct awareness Programmes against the use of Narcotize like Panparag, Hans, Tobacco etc


2. The members of the managing committee.

2.1 Joshy Mathew, B.A, B.Ph, B.Th, President.

2.2 Prince Augustine, B.A, B.Ph, Vice-President. .

2.3 Joby S. Jolly, Secretary.

2.4 Bindu Mathew, General nurse, Joint-Secretary

2.5 Tomy Mathew, Diploma in Civil Engg., Treasurer.

2.6 Sindhu Mathew, General nurse, Member.

2.7 Anupama Mathew, Member.

2.8 Anish Mathew, M.A. (Psychology), Member.

3. Activities.
As a charitable society, our priority in the past was to meet the needs of the poorest of the poor in the society. We shall enlist the different kinds of activities, we are engaged in.

3.1 The rehabilitation of wandering mental patients.

The most abandoned and forlorn members of our society are the wandering mental patients. They are alienated by their own kith and kin. They are ostracized from the main stream because of their mental disorientation. The suffering inflicted on them is immeasurable and they are a question mark to our social conscience.

(Guided by volunteers )

Divyarakshalayam is a place of solace for such less fortunate. We are looking after 145 male patients who otherwise would have been on the streets. They belong to different states of India between the age group of 20 to 85. We provide the basic necessities of life for them. They are provided with adequate accommodation, nutritious food, decent clothing and proper medication. The Orphanage Control Board has approved and certified our efforts to rehabilitate the wandering mental patients. Within the span of ten years, we could take care of thousand one hundred such men. Revitalizing their lost image humanized them.

3.2 Rehabilitation of unwed or abandoned mothers, their children and orphans.
Our efforts of pro-life activities have resulted in the registration of a new society named, “Mother and Child Foundation”. Here we answer the most pressing needs of unwed or abandoned mothers and their children and orphans. The social stigma and taboos, which bind them, mount up pressure that could force them to end up their lives.
(Residents at Mother and child foundation in the old shelter)
These women are the most misused and manipulated members by the evil structures of the society. Their children suffer and bear the consequences of the misfortunes of their mothers. We are providing security and all the other basic needs of life, for twenty such mothers and 135 children at Mother and child. The mothers are rehabilitated in the view of making them self-sufficient. They serve as housemaids under our guidance. Among the children, 100 are going to the school; 10 of them to the nursery and rest of the little ones are looked after at Mother and child. Children are given special classes in vocal and instrumental music. Special importance is given for their spiritual and emotional upbringing and thus ensuring their character formation.


3.3 Rehabilitation of alcoholics and drug addicts.

The inevitable need of liberating the alcoholics and drug addicts inspired us to open up our activities among them. Those who wishes to free themselves from the clutches of alcohol, drugs and similar mal habits, assemble as Alcoholic anonymous or groups , follow up programme are conducted under supervision and guidance of volunteers . The 12 steps of the ‘Alcoholic Anonymous’ programme are followed for their speedy recovery and consistent sobriety. There are more than two hundred sober members in nine of our AA groups and another two hundred or more are on the process of recovery. Regular AA meetings and periodical retreats for spiritual reawakening pave the way for great sobriety among the members resulting in much peace at their homes and in the society.

3.4 Our housing project in the view of providing home for the homeless

We select the poorest from among the homeless, who can never realize their dream of having a home of their own. We have already built four houses fully and helped partially for the construction of another 30 more. We supervise the entire project and strive hard for its accomplishment.

3.5 Our food ministry.

We had the privilege of serving free food in two of our Taluk hospitals. Above 400 poor people including patients and their bystanders were the beneficiaries of this project. This brought immense satisfaction for all of us. Continuing it for the last four years without missing it even for a day created great public support. Our financial burdens made us compelled to discontinue this project for the time being. Having inspired by us, another charitable institution has taken over this great humanitarian activity.



4. Contribution to the society.

Being engaged in different humanitarian activities, Divyarakshaka social and charitable society made significant contributions to the society. Some of them are listed below

4.1 Rehabilitated more than 1000 wandering mental patients.

4.2 Many of our local towns and cities are free from these unfortunates.
(Looking for an opportunity)

Many are treated and resettled to their own homes.

4.3 The manpower of the healed mental patients is utilized for creative activities like farming, cultivation, construction, brick making etc.
4.4 Awakened the social consciousness, involving the public for the sustenance and rehabilitation of these less fortunate.
4.5 Formed volunteers from all walks of life for this kind of humanitarian projects without any remuneration.
4.6 We could provide job for many job less.

4.7 Promoted pro-life movements and conducted several awareness programs.

4.8 Discouraged abortion and encouraged adoption.

4.9 Sheltered many unwed or abandoned mothers and their children.

4.10 Sheltered orphans, nursed and cared them.

4.11 Educated the children who are under our care.

4.12 Provided financial aid and other educational helps to many poor students of our locality especially for Nursing.

4.13 Became instrumental for the spiritual awakening of many.

4.14 Provided jobs for the unwed and abandoned mothers.

4.15 Provided hospital care for 60 unwed mothers during and after their period of pregnancy.

4.16 Brought in peace and tranquility in the houses of many drug addicts and alcoholics.

4.17 Liberated more than 200 alcoholics from their bondage of drug addiction.

4.18 Gave proper orientation to their lives through retreats, seminars, and AA meetings.

4.19 Conducted awareness programmes and seminars on social evils especially on abortion, alcoholism, drug addiction etc.

4.20 Rehabilitated many chemical dependents providing them jobs and thus promoting decent life for them.
4.21 Saved many from inhuman situations and provided decent, human and happy death.

4.22 Built houses for poor people who had no houses of their own.
4.23 Helped individuals and families financially and materially for the construction of their homes.
4.24 Served free food for poor patients and bystanders in two hospitals at Thodupuzha. (Here we are happy indeed)
4.25 Helped many poor families financially and materially for their daily sustenance.

4.26 Provided financial and nursing care for many poor people who were sick.





(Residence under construction)
5. Awards won by Divyarakshaka social and charitable society.

5.1. Community service award by Junior Chamber Thodupuzha unit in the year 2000.

5.2 V.K. Kurian memorial award for outstanding social workers in the year 2000.

5.3 Sarvodayam Kurian memorial award for best social workers in the year 2002.

5.4 Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary Internationalaward in the year 2003.

5.5 Best social service award of Jesus fraternity in the year 2003.


6. The assets of the societies

6.1 Divyarakshaka social and Charitable Society owns 60 cents of land, 15000 sq. feet building and all the other facilities necessary for the daily living and sustenance of two hundred wandering mental patients. Apart from this 2.50 Acres of land are reutilized for the activities of the society.

6.2 Mother and Child Foundation own 70 cents of land, 22000 sq. feet building and all the other facilities necessary for the care of 135 children and twenty-five unwed or abandoned mothers. More than that another 70 cents of land is converted as a play ground for children.
7.The nature of contributions and donations.

The goodwill of the public is our strength. Their constant love and support sustain us. They contribute generously both in cash and kind. Very many people from all walks of life come to visit us. Monetary help, little or more, given by our benefactors will suffice for our daily sustenance. There are benefactors who regularly help us in kind. They bring in agricultural and consumer products, clothes that which meets the basic needs of the inmates. Some people, sponsor our different projects. For example, one may
( Hold my hands)

sponsor the food for a day, another sponsor the studies of a child, yet another one gives money for our housing project or for the construction of our buildings etc. Thus all our material and monetary needs are met daily.

8. The beneficiaries of our humanitarian endeavors.

Generally we can say that they are the least, last and lost of our society. When we enlist them specifically, they are: -
a. Wandering mental patients, discarded by relatives and the
society.
b. Mental patients from poor families.
c. Poor people, who are physically ill.
d. Physically handicapped and disabled Financially poor people.
e. People who are in real poverty.
f. Families who have no land or houses of their own.
g. Those who suffer from natural calamities.
h. Poor people in coastal areas.
i. Other similar charitable institutions and rehabilitation centers.
j. Victims of alcohol, drugs and such similar bonds.
k. Poor children and orphans
l. Unwed and abandoned mothers
m. Victims of social evils like abortion.
n. Victims of alcohol, drugs and such similar bonds
o. . Poor children and orphans.
p. Unwed and abandoned mothers.
q. People who are weak spiritually, morally and emotionally.
r. Victims of social evils like abortion
s. on and those under suicidal tendency



(Land layout of Divyarakshalayam)

OUR BANK DETIALS

Divyarakshaka social and charitable society
The Catholic Syrian Bank
Account no. 2/96
Extension counter Pynkulam
Mylacombu P.O.
Thodupuzha , Iduki Dt,
Kerala, South India.
Pin. 685 584
Phone: 04862-200857
Mother and Child foundation

For Local Donation Foreign Contribution
Morning & Evening Branch The Federal bank , A/c No. 10756
Urban Bank , A/c No: 115 Thodupuzha P.O, Idukki Dt, Kerala,
Thodpuzha P.O, Idukki Dt .Kerala, South India, Pin: 685 584
South India. Phone: 04862- 222232
Phone 04862-228598

.

10. Program of rehabilitation for the future

We shall introduce a rehabilitation and life enrichment project for Divyarakshalayam.
Since our residents at Divyarakshalayam are people who were wandering mental patients on the streets, they cannot become self sufficient on their own efforts. After their treatment, they can lead a normal life if only we guide them in a proper way. If adequate care and guidance are denied for them, even after the treatment, they become worse than what they were when on the streets. Therefore, continuous treatment, supervision and rehabilitation are essential for them. Above all, we should be compassionate towards them by respecting their worth as human beings.

Within the span of ten years, we have treated and taken care of more than thousand one hundred such men. They were people either on streets or at home. The process of rehabilitation and re-humanizing of these less fortunate are very tedious and time consuming. Proper rehabilitation is the only source that will sustain their life consistently. Many of our residents are with us for the last nine years. Physically they are healthy. We were unable to utilize their manpower and chanalize it. We cannot leave them free completely, but with proper guidance and control, we can utilize their manpower. That is why we introduce this program of rehabilitation to you. We have the right intention and moral standards of re-humanizing these people who have lost their human image. This is where you can step in, all of you, our benefactors.




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