Growing up in an orphanage, Yojana Gharat always wondered what aai (mother) and baba (father) looked like and how it would feel to have these two people in her life. She found her answer in serving abandoned elders, and now she has 126 parents!
She finds these elders at railway stations, temples, under bridges and outside hospitals. They, in turn, find a daughter in Yojana, who embraces them with dignity and compassion in their twilight years.
She gives them a place to live at the Smit Old Age Home and Care Foundation in Bhiwandi, Thane, Maharashtra. She arranges for their medical treatment, feeds them and gives them love and companionship—things most elders yearn for.
Each elder in Yojana’s care receives the love and respect they once bestowed upon their own children, as she treats each one as her aai and baba. Her commitment shines through her daily activities, which range from feeding and changing diapers to arranging necessary medical treatments.
Building this sanctuary was far from easy, as Yojana had to brave family opposition. But the seeds of service were sown in Yojana’s mind growing up in Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata.
Yojana has adopted over 3,500 abandoned senior citizens so far. Currently, the Smit Old Age Home houses over 126 people, many of whom are bedridden. She also cares for disabled children and elders who have been abandoned by their families.
However, sustaining this level of care is no small feat. The sanctuary requires Rs 12 lakh a month to cover basic amenities, a sum that presents a constant challenge.
Currently facing the threat of eviction from their rented space, Yojana dreams of building a permanent home in Thane where over 3,000 elderly can live their final days in security and peace.
If you wish to help Yojana build this home, please donate here:
BANK NAME – ICICI BANK
TYPE – CURRENT ACCOUNT
A/C HOLDER – SMIT OLD AGE HOME AND CARE FOUNDATION
A/C NO. – 352505000625
IFSC CODE – ICIC0003525
BRANCH – KALHER, BHIWANDI ROAD, THANE
UPI – smithfoundation@icici
Edited by Khushi Arora
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