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| [Poor House] [New Beginnings] [Aims & Objectives] [Aged & infirm Section] [Sheltered Workshop Section] [Handicapped Children’s Section] [Social Development] [Psychological Rehabilitation] [Staff] [Finance] [Management] [Executive Members] |
The "Home for the Aged and Handicapped" formerly known as the ‘Poor House’ is situated in a secluded area of the town called Untkhana, meaning the stable for camels, a land given by the Raja Bhosle to the Catholic Mission. In thew year 1890 the Nagpur Municipal Corporation approached the Bishop of Nagpur Monsignor Riccaz to take care of the abandoned lepers, the crippled and the insane, whom no one particularly cared for. Other institutions declined the request of the corporation, but the Bishop Reccaz took the responsibility willingly and joyfully. He entrusted the Salesian Missionaries of Mary Immaculate with this work of mercy. Thus a tiny seed was sown by Mother Marie Gertrude and her companions. It was a Saturday 8th of February 1890, that the home took birth in the form of a small dispensary, surrounded by those branded by society as unfit for survival. Fired by the compassionate love of Christ the sisters began their work with irrepressible enthusiasm. To begin with- the poor House consisted only of mud huts by the side of the road, where as many as 100 men, women and children were kept and cared for. They had to be fed, clothed and medically attended too. As soon as some parts of the stables were made fit for human habitation, the sisters settled there permanently, and took care of the inmates. With meager help from the Bishop, donations received from friends and well wishers, and the observance of austerity the sisters managed to run the institution. The Municipal Corporation used to donate a sari and a dhoti to every inmate once a year. Thus the inmate and sisters continued to live in a miserable dilapidated accommodation for nearly 70 years, during which the pioneers of the Home did not loose courage but put every mite towards its growth and development. By now the world has become more aware of the human needs and the rights of the people. Thanks to the generous donation of late Mr.Anacleto D' Souza of Congo-Africa, the fatherly concern of Arch Bishop Eugene D'Souza then Arch Bishop of Nagpur, and the tireless efforts of Sister Solange and her co-workers new constructions to accommodate the inmates were put up. The Department of Social welfare Maharashtra Government also came to the rescue of the Home. A leading Social Worker of Nagpur Shri Ratanchand Daga was able to secure for the 'Home' both recognition and grant in l1963. The first section to be recognized and aided was the section looking after the aged and Infirm. Subsequently the Sheltered Workshop and the Handicapped Children's Section were recognized. In 1966 through the generous help of Misereor, new constructions were built, and the following year came up a well equipped Physiotherapy Department with Electrotherapy and Hydrotherapy and additional wings to the children's centre and the Prosthetic Workshop. The word Home reveals the nature of institution. It aims at providing a Home, a Place of love, protection and care for the less fortunate members of society irrespective of caste colour, and creed, so that the children and the young can grow and develop and be rehabilitated as normal human beings while the old and infirm can find joy and lpeace in the last days of their life. It has strength of 100 inmates, who spent the last days of their life in peace and joy The Home sees toit that none of there needs go unmet. They are given regular medical treatment with the help of trained nurses and doctors from Medical College. The Aged and Infirm also enjoy the cultural fare and recreational facilities provided by the Home As many as 50 disabled belonging to the age group of 18 to 45 - both male and female are given vocational training in tailoring, knitting, needle work, cane work and typing, shorthand, Screen Printing, Computer. The trainees who leave the home are helped to secure employment, so that they can stand on their own. The normal training period inlthe Sheltered Workshop is two years., but the severely handicapped get a longer period of training to the maximum of four years. On completion of the training in tailoring and needlework, the Department of Social Welfare provides them a sewing machine and other accessories to start business of their own. Here we can say with pride that many of the boys and girls who were in the 'Home' are self employed, or found employment in Government or private organization. Handicapped Children's Section. As many as 125 Disabled children in the age group of 3 to 18 receive the primary education besides the physical rehabilitation. The Physical rehabilitation is made possible through physiotherapy, occupational therapy, electrotherapy and hydrotherapy. Those children who need corrective surgery are sent to the nearby Medical College or Private Hospitals, while post -operative care is provided for in the home itself through trained nurses. Those children who possess the aptitude for higher studies are sent to the middle school & high school, in the neighborhood, while others are given pre-vocational training on various crafts. The Home manufacturers artificial appliances like crutches, calipers, splints, and provide to the inmates free of cost. Special facilities are provided for the talent developments like drawing and painting, music and dancing with the help of specially trained staff. Sports and games, cultural and recreational programmes are a common and continuos feature in the daily routine of the home, so that the handicapped children, develop as normal human beings It is not so much the physical disability which is difficult to overcome, but more damaging are the psychological problems, particularly the feelings of rejection, and lover-protection. In many cases the parents and relatives consider the child a burden and the child is very much sensitive to such attitudes of the parents and elders. It takes day and months to help the children and adults to overcome depression and the sense of rejection. Often the therapeutic treatment is ineffective because the patient has not overcome the traumatic experience of his life at home when parents do everything for the child they grow up like vegetables. Growth and development become slow when the child dose not adjust and co-operate with the rehabilitation programme. Through individual attention, combined with compassion, understanding and firmness the child is gradually led into self-confidence and trust. By great love and concern, tirelessly and selflessly given by the sisters, and the staff, the children become new human beings capable of giving and taking. There are 75 staff members who are dedicated to the service of the Home, among whom are trained physiotherapist, occupational therapist, trained nurses, special teachers and social workers. Every effort is made to inculcate spirit of service, honesty and dedication among the staff members. The smooth and successful working of the Home is the result of their dauntless devotion. The Home is aided by Maharashtra State Social Welfare Department. But this aid is not sufficient to meet all the requirements of the inmates. Naturally the home has to depend much upon the generous donations of the benefactors in society. Such donations are many times inkind or in cash according to the ability of the benefactors. The Home is a registered Charitable Trust. The management of the Home is undertaken by the Executive Committee, the day to day management is done by the Managing Committee. The administration of every section is carried out by the Superintendents of each section. Since 1963 the Home has catered to the needs of 1500 Handicapped Children, 1000 Adult Handicapped, and 900 Aged and Infirm people. Such is the history of the Home. A stable for camels yesterday to a full-fledged rehabilitation center today. We firmly believe that the disabled have intelligence, dynamism, determination and talents to rise to great heights. It is the duty of able-bodied persons, to realize this and to contribute to their growth, so that they can live an honorable life without the stigma of BECHARA. They too have a right to live, to work, to grow, and make their contribution to the development of the nation and world. Executive Members of Home for Aged and Handicapped.
Sister Merlyn Address: |
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