Taking care of elderly in the twilight of their lives is one of the toughest problems confronting Indian society. While we all know this fact, it shook me when my own grandmother needed external care. But thanks to Smt. Saroja Banappa, who welcomed my grandmother with open arms.

Sarojamma, a homemaker, decided to dedicate her life to serve the society way back in 1995. With the help of fifteen women volunteers, she set up a charitable society named 'Sri Shankari Balaga' with the objective of helping women/children belonging to the economically weaker section of society and aged people looking for care. This society in association with Sri Shankari Foundation, set up a small old age home in Malleshwaram named 'Shankari Sandhya Sadhana' with the help of Karnataka Government and public donors. Currently, it abodes around 20 elderly women including my grandmother.

While providing shelter to the elderly is the main motto, Shankari Balaga also focuses on personal wellness of the resident. It takes care of their primary health needs, helps them overcome the feeling of loneliness/neglect by giving them emotional support and reassurance necessary to ward off diffidence and fear. Their affection and care has really helped my grandmother feel at home and heal mentally and physically over the last year. In addition, several activities are taken up to ensure that their mind and body are kept active.

Having recognized the ever-increasing need to support elderly, Sri Shankari Foundation is hoping to extend its service to a larger number of people (both men and women) in need. It has come up with a plan to construct another old age home in Banashankari, Bangalore. With the help of BDA, a plot has been allotted but the construction cost is estimated to be 4,05,87,450/- crores.

Your donation will help somebody live. Through these donations, let us all send a message to the distressed souls:  “Don’t lose hope, we are there for you”