Old age home for 350 abandoned elderly women

Dear Maitri Friend, 

Thank you for your continued support to Maitri Ghar, the old age home for widows in Vrindavan.  Through your act of kindness, we are able to ensure care and support for the abandoned, ageing and destitute widow mothers with shelter, food, clothing, and healthcare. In this quarter, Maitri has welcomed 13 mothers into the MaitriGhar fold and home. They came to Maitri looking for shelter, they found a home to live in comfort with respect and dignity.

During the quarter, four resident widows- Chapla, Hema, Parul, and Taranbai - suffered serious illnesses and were admitted to the hospital.  Chapla suffered a stroke and partial paralysis of her left side of the body and was hospitalised for two weeks.  On discharge, she returned to The MaitriGhar home, as her son refused to take her home.  She has been under the constant care of a qualified nurse and a doctor on call, along with physical therapy every day. Ofcourse, she had to be put on diapers since her bladder was not in control. We are happy to inform you that she is getting stronger everyday with a nutritiousdiet and physiotherapy, as prescribed by the doctor. She has started walking with the support of a walker. Hema, Parul and Taranbai were discharged after their health improved. Their complaints ranged from chest pain to severe stomach ache and acute case of gastroenteritis.Your support and contribution makes it possible for us to care for the widow mothers and give them a life of respect and dignity.

As the widow mothers are ageing and are in fragile health due to their circumstances, Maitri has a doctor who visits Maitri Ghar in both the homes (Vrindvanand Radha Kund) twice a week.  He gives a physical check to all those who have any complaints, and give them medicines for minor ailments.  If we find any mother having a serious complaint, she is immediately taken to the hospital for a check and investigations. We have networked and also have partner organisation supporting us with weekly visits by their doctor and a mobile medical van for minor illnesses. Ensuring better health and prevention of serious sickness.

This past quarter, Maitri facilitated eight widow mothers apply for widows’  pension. And we are delighted to tell you that all eight have received the pension funds in their bank accounts.  I will mention that though the pension is meagre, but it brings them their right to which they are entitled from the state Government. Also it is empowering for them to have a bank account, which gives them identity. Maitri is committed to ensuring citizenship rights for all our mothers which includes voter card, Aadhar Card (Unique Identification card), Below Poverty Line Card, Bank Account, pension etc.

We invite Maitri supporters and well-wishers of widow mothers to visit the mothers in Vrindavan and spend time. They crave love and affection and of course talk. The need to touch is very strong in them as they feel unloved, a warm hug lasts them a long time till the next one.