The joint family system which has been traditionally favoured in India till recently, is slowly fading away. High cost of living and squeezing living conditions in the cities resulted in the aged being considered a burden by the younger generation. Parents left out by their wards in their ripe old age, wish to spend their life with dignity within their meager savings or the pension they earn, and feel shy of looking for charity. At the same time they struggle to adjust themselves with the high cost of living even for the minimum living standards.
SAMAYA SWEEKRUTA TRUST was mainly formed with the purpose of providing adequate facilities such as food, shelter, health-care, companionship, recreation and moral support to senior citizen, mainly from the lower middle class. `SAICHARAN' - THE HOME AWAY FROM HOME - was started in Madras in 1985. It is a paid home, run on a no-profit, no-loss basis, with support from philanthropists. These homes provide companionship to the inmates with people of their own age, and above all a sense of moral support and con- fidence to carry on with their lives. The Trust also undertakes the last rites, if death occurs to an inmate.
The inmates are charged a very nominal amount since they belong to the lower income group of low paid pensioners or being provided by their families or friends. Preference in admission is being given to the blind or physically handicapped who deserve special attention.
With growing demand an additional wing "Sai Charan - II" was opened accommodating totally 36 members. Currently these homes are being run in rented accommodation at two different locations. With the increase in the rent every year, and the escalation of the cost of living, the Trust finds it difficult to continue to provide the inmates the basic comforts, as the Trust mainly depend on donations and does not want to tax the inmates with additional cost.
At this juncture our Trust received a land at Uthandi, close to Madras on Mahabalipuram road, donated by a well-wisher. We have now plans to build our own premises on this plot to provide spacious accommodation for 50 inmates. The facilities will include a well laid kitchen, dining hall, library, prayer hall, sick room and a visitors hall.
The estimated cost of the building with furniture and fittings work out to approximately Rupees 50 lakhs. Though we are working out plans to mobilise support for our project from donors in India, we are afraid we will not be able to met our estimated budget. We therefore make an earnest appeal to our countrymen in US to help us in the cause of the senior citizen in their homeland, by contributing liberally. Contributions are exempted under section 80G of the Indian Income Tax Act of 1961.
Contributions may be sent to:
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Mrs. SAVITHRI VAITHI |
Mrs. KAMALA SAMPATH Contact Person Samaya Sweekruta Trust 59, Ist Main Road Besant Nagar MADRAS - 600090 INDIA Tel: 91-44-491 0593 |