Aim for Seva
Swami Dayananda Krupa Care
THE NEED
The question of ‘Who after me?’ is one that haunts the parents of differently-abled individuals.
According to a study published in the medical journal, The Lancet (29th Aug, 2018), India has the maximum number of children (around 1.15 crore) with developmental disabilities. The study also says that India has the highest cases of YLDs (years lived with developmental disabilities).
Whilst many organisations have built centres and support systems to help and train children, there are very few institutions that work with and/or take care of adults for their lifetime.
What if there was a solution that addressed this question, by providing a place that differently-abled people could consider their own? This was the seed of a thought that bloomed into an institution: Swami Dayananda Krupa Care.
THE HISTORY
Some of Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati’s followers and students, who were parents to children with developmental disabilities, often shared with him their concerns about their children. From individualised daily routines to need for specialist medical intervention to maintaining constant supervision, these parents and caregivers felt helpless, burnt out, and were saddled with several negative emotions.
In particular, the parents would often share their worries about who would care for their children after their own lifetimes. They were scared that their children would face half-hearted care, or even neglect, from extended family. Admitting them to institutions was also a difficult decision as they were unsure of whether the staff would treat their children with respect and empathy.
Thus, Pujya Swamiji was witness to and fully aware of the enormous responsibility, and physical and mental stress faced by parents and family members who cared for individuals with developmental disabilities.
THE VISION
Moved by their feeling of helplessness, Pujya Swamiji decided to find a way to help assuage the pain of parents who faced these issues – not just those who were known to him but of all those who wanted support. So, he envisioned Krupa Care – a safe space where empathetic care is provided to help individuals with developmental disabilities to live with happiness and dignity.
The word ‘Krupa’ means ‘compassion’ and the Home is built on the following pillars:
- Compassion for the resident
- Compassion for the aged parents
- Compassion for the extended family
- Compassion towards the community
The Institution was established on 16 June 1998, in a 10-acre campus in Maduvankarai (near Sriperumbudur, 40 km from Chennai). The land on which the Institution stands was generously donated by Mrs. Saroj Goenka, who wanted to help make Pujya Swamiji’s vision come to life in the best way possible.
Krupa Care
Today, Swami Dayananda Krupa Care has 43 male residents, aged between 18 and 65 years of age, with wide-ranging developmental disabilities (such as autism, cerebral palsy and schizophrenia). The thoughtfully planned facilities and empathetic care provided help to allay the concerns of the residents’ parents and family members.
The 10-acre lush green campus is a verdant haven, with ample space for residents, caretakers and workers. The campus is well-guarded with fortified compound walls, security guard provision, 24×7 surveillance cameras and fire extinguisher.
Well planned and built cottages with spacious rooms and restrooms are provided for all the residents. Trained caretakers, under the guidance of a qualified psychiatrist are employed to provide support and care for the residents. Apart from the weekly visits by general physicians, psychiatrists and monthly health checkups, we have an in-house Nurse Station with a qualified nurse that helps to provide urgent medical intervention when needed. We also have an arrangement with Jaya Hospital, Sriperumbudur, to treat our residents in case of a health emergency.
The following facilities have been built to provide all-round care and support for our residents.