|
 There
was some apprehension before we gave our applications. You
see we had only heard of the names of persons who had stared
the Home. We did not know them personally, will they treat
us properly, will we be looked after well, will we just have
to sit around and eat what they give to us.
We were relieved to a large extent even on the day we were
interviewed for being taken into the home. They asked us
questions only to find out about our general conditions and
the interview was held in a very friendly atmosphere. We
know that the persons who interviewed us were eminent and
well to-do persons of our Community. But they made us feel
that we were talking to some friends only.
All our fears vanished on the day we saw the Old Age Home on
its inaugural day. There were new cots, new beds, new
bed-sheets etc. and we were all honoured by having a set of
clothes etc. being given to us by the Chief Guest of the
function. Never in our lives did we have such an experience
of being treated with such honour.
We were only 7 when the Home started in April 2005. Although
there were two dormitories with fans and attached bath-rooms
all seven of us decided to use only one so as to save on
electricity. No one asked us. It was our own decision.
We are given freedom to choose menu for our break-fast,
lunch and dinner. This we do keeping in view our health etc.
and we ourselves are conscious that we should not waste food
or be extravagant on spending.
There is no paid cook, we have now 11 persons in the Home.
We cook and clean the place ourselves. This keeps us
usefully occupied and also encourages us all to work
together, take turns to do various jobs etc. Once a week or
so, a casual worker is engaged to clean the bathrooms
thoroughly, remove cob-webs etc.
We have some open space where we have grown some vegetables,
banana and papaya plants. On quite a few days we use the
items grown by us for our lunch etc. This gives us a lot of
satisfaction and excitement. All of us spend at least one
hour every evening in the garden. This open air exercise is
good for our health.
We were not very sure how we could spend our time in this
Old Age Home. We had heard that in some places, old people
had to just sit and gossip around waiting for kitchen bell
to ring. But in our Home, since cooking etc. is done by us
only we don’t find time is hanging heavily. We also have a
T.V. on which we see
Serials like Anandham, Penn, Nimmadhi, Kolangal, Muhurtham,
Selvi, and Selvangal etc. There is a tape-recorder with lots
of cassettes on Bhajans and Stotras
Whenever any repair etc is needed, we tell Arjuna Paimam or
Radhakrishnamam and these are got done immediately.
Radhakrishnamam also arranges to have groceries and
provisions supplied as and when needed.
Vijayalakshmimai, who we call Moushi, visits us at least
twice or thrice a week and teaches us Bhajans. We all sit
together every evening and sing Bhajans for one hour before
our dinner. Most of us have small note books in which we
have written down our favourite bhajans.
Among Trustees, Ranjanmam and Baligamam visit us at least
two or three times in a month. The moment they come they go
round to see whether every thing is kept neat and clean.
This ensures that there is no laxity in our efforts to
maintain the premises well, when they complement us we feel
very happy.
One good thing is we are all living like a family assisting
each other. Some of us feel that this is the first time we
are living a life of dignity and realize that we are wanted
- not just tolerated.
There were two large lunch gatherings held recently on
16.4.2006 to celebrate the first anniversary of the Old Age
Home and on 18.6.2006 to celebrate the 80th Birthday of Smt.
Radha Mahale whose Trust had made available this large
building to the Sabha’s Charitable Trust. They were very
enjoyable functions which enabled a lot of persons to see
the Old Age Home functioning and for us to meet them.
Dr. Shanthamai is a most considerate Doctor we have met. She
visits us at least once a week and because of this we are
not worried about falling ill. She also guides us in our
food habits.
We also go to Kashi Math every month for the medical camp
and for some major functions. Some of our Community members
also invite us occasionally to the S.G.S. Sabha for wedding
functions etc. These outings are a welcome diversion to us.
Every month we have donations from about 4 to 5 persons for
sponsoring the day’s expenses. We have this displayed on a
special board, and during lunch time this is announced after
which a small prayer is sung seeking God’s blessings on the
donor. Perhaps, very soon, we may reach a stage where all
the 30 days of the month will have sponsors.
All in all we are very happy in this Home which has been set
up by the generous help of our Community. We on our part
assure you all that this generosity is not misplaced - some
thing which you can see for yourself when you visit us and
find us living like one family. |
