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“There is a grandmother that we take care of, who is over 50 years old. She tells me that she finds solace at our ashram not only because she gets food, medicines and all-round care, but also because she isn't sexually assaulted at night when she sleeps. This was her reality before we rescued her. This is also sadly the reality of many elderly women that we rescue.”- Ranjith Shetty
When Ranjith Shetty was just 15 years old he was forced to move out of his home in Mangalore to Bangalore due to family issues.
Hunger and suffering shaped his life’s mission
“I struggled with anger issues and had no interest in studies. I didn’t know what to do. I slept and stayed at the Bangalore railway station. Somebody would give food on some days, other days I would just sleep hungry. I understood what real suffering meant. I experienced what hunger did to the mind and body. Witnessing their plight, many of whom couldn't even move or get up, lying in their own urine and excrement, stirred something deep within me."- Ranjith Shetty
Amidst the desolation of the Bangalore railway station, Ranjith found himself accompanied by a silent multitude - abandoned elderly souls unable to rise, left to beg for survival. Their daily earnings amounted to a mere 10 rupees, and they endured the harsh realities of life on the streets. The inhumane conditions reached a point where some would succumb to their plight, lying amidst their own waste. Ranjith, witnessing this heart-wrenching scenario, felt a compelling desire to intervene and make a difference in their lives.
An incident that completely changed his life
"Somebody from the village tea shop offered me a job when I was 16, and by the time I turned 23, I had my own tea stall. Every week, I started giving 30 food packets and bedsheets to those on the streets. I even set up an additional tea shop and a restaurant. It was during this time that I encountered an old man suffering from seizures.” - Ranjith Shetty
Ranjith promptly took him home and cared for him. That's when I realized the pressing need to start a caring facility. Aaraike, meaning ‘caring’ in Kannada, was founded three years ago to provide food, treatment, and shelter to abandoned elderly.
Aaraike is not just an ashram, it’s a home
"At the start, Aaraike cared for just one person, a small effort in a big world. As time passed, we grew, reaching out to more abandoned elderly folks. We provide them with everything they need – food, treatment, and a safe place that feels like home. I sold my tea stall and restaurant to set up Aaraike. Currently, Aaraike shelters over 90 residents.”- Ranjith Shetty
Ranjith's focus is clear – caring for abandoned elderly individuals. Aaraike, which runs in a rented space, is now supported by a team, including a cook and three caretakers – two male and one female. It's a simple formula: compassion, dedication, and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of those who need it most.He wants to save as many abandoned people as possible, support him
Among the residents is also a 14-year-old handicapped boy rescued from a garbage container, abandoned by his own parents due to his condition. His daily care, including diaper changes, serves as a testament to Ranjith's unwavering dedication to even the most marginalized members of society.
"Now, my dream is to construct a permanent facility on government land, equipped with an ambulance and medical facilities. However, I lack the funds for this crucial project. There is government land allotted to us, we need to construct a building, ambulance, rations, medical equipment. Aaraike is currently sustained by my personal resources, but to secure its future and expand our reach, I've turned to crowdfunding. Your support can help us build a place where we can provide even more comprehensive care.” - Ranjith Shetty.
Let's come together and make a difference in the lives of those who have been forgotten.
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Registration Number - AAOCM6666MF20229
EIN 20-5139364
