Mangalore: ‘Jeevadaan,’ in Need of Helpful Philanthropists
By Melka Miyar, Pics: Prajwal Ukkuda
For Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (CN)
Mangalore, Oct 28: ‘Jeevadan’ is their only ray of hope. They know that their life is short and society will not accept them as they are infected by the dreaded HIV/AIDS virus. They also have no money to live independently and lack the strength to work hard. But ‘Jeevadaan’ has created a space for them to live a decent life till their death.
The St Camillus congregation, known for serving the sick and the poor all over the world, set up this home for HIV/AIDS patients here in Kaikamba, Kinnikambla, located about 20 kms from the city. The nuns decided to serve HIV/AIDS patients as it is a fast spreading disease in the coastal region.
Of the 38 patients here currently, 20 are females and the rest are children. The children study at the Rosamistica School in Kinnikambla. Most women patients here contracted the virus through their husbands. Sumitra (name changed), a resident of Puttur, married a person from Udupi.
All her dreams shattered after she came to know that her husband had AIDS. Everything went out of control, and her husband died after few years of marriage. Following this, she was brought to Jeevandaan and has lived here ever since. Sumitra’s husband was working in Mumbai as a truck driver.
Most women here have a similar story with their husbands as either truck drivers or labourers in Mumbai. Being economically poor, they cannot afford to buy the expensive medicines needed for HIV/AIDS patients. Five nuns and eight employees, headed by Sr Marisa, work day and night to keep the patients happy. The patients are also trained in embroidery, candle-making, tailoring, flower-making, envelope-making, and the like, says Daina, a counselor. She counsels them psychologically.
Sr Gracy, provincial superior, daughters of St Camillus, says that running a home for such patients is not an easy task as it involves a huge expenditure. They need to be given nutritious food like fish, meat, egg, and fruits, to keep them as healthy as possible. They have to be given anti-retroviral treatment regularly.
About Rs 1.5 lac is needed every month to run Jeevadaan. But collecting such a huge amount is not easy for them. Jeevandaan gets Rs 60,000 to Rs 75,000 every month from a project called ‘Samastha.’ They have to depend on donors to meet the rest of the expenses every month as they have no other revenue. Jeevadaan is in need of generous donors and also volunteers to visit and keep the inmates entertained.
Contact address:
The Directress,
Jeevadaan,
Kaikamba, Kinnikambla Post,
Mangalore- 574151
Telephone: 0824-2258889
Email: jeevandan2004@yahoo.co.in
Bank account details:
S B Account Number: 110201011000033,
Jeevadan Charitable Trust,
Vijaya Bank, Kaikamba, Kinnikambla,
Mangalore Taluk-574151
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