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Mentally ill destitute women find refuge at a rehabilitation home in Chennai.
Chelammal was found roaming around the Chetput dhobikhana in Chennai. Caught in the web of schizophrenia, she had no memory of her husband and child. With a little care, some love and adequate medical attention, she regained both the clarity of her mind and strength in her abused body. She recalled Ramanathapuram, the town she had lived in with her small family, and was reunited with them after eight years. This is one of the small successes that Adaikalam has been able to achieve. Based in Chennai, Adaikalam is a residential care and rehabilitation programme for mentally ill destitute women, run by The Banyan, an NGO functioning as a support group for 'invisible people' and 'unpopular causes'. The Banyan was started by two students, Vandana Gopikumar and Vaishnavi Jayakumar. Disillusioned with the attitude of institutions and NGOs when they tried to get treatment for a destitute, mentally ill woman, they decided to start a place of their own, where the primary concern would be the care and treatment of these women. The Banyan has grown into an organisation true to its name -- a sturdy tree offering shade to the weary and destitute. Over the years, Banyan volunteers have brought about 165 wandering women into Adaikalam. The women receive psychiatric evaluation, medication and therapy and can hope to recuperate in the caring environment. Sixty-five former residents have been either reunited with their families or are self-employed. Follow-up in terms of medication and review is conducted for life. Apart from treatment, occupational therapy, entertainment, walks and picnics are a regular part of Adaikalam's programmes. There are about 70 residents, some of whom are chronically ill. One of their most urgent needs is for a larger building where the women can be housed with some measure of privacy. The people at Banyan do not believe that they can make a real home for these residents. At best, they can offer a peaceful place for where the women are looked after. Their dream is to make possible an Adaikalam "where freedom of expression can co-exist with discipline; where bustling activity can take place in a soothing environment; where a living area can be clean and yet comfortable, cosy and cheerful for our residents." Contact:
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Source: www.banyanindia.com
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