Meet the Residents
MARUTI UCHUKAR - Belgaum
Maruti, one of the first residents
of Karunalaya, used to sell vegetables in the vegetable market in
Camp, Belgaum. He suddenly suffered a paralytic attack after which
he could not walk again. He moved around the market place looking
for food by dragging himself on the ground due to his
paralysis. Some people came forward and informed Mrs. Anita about his
pitiable condition. Since Karunalaya was not established at
that time, Mrs. Anita admitted him into Mother Teresa's home in Hubli.
He was well looked after there by Mother Teresa's Sisters
and recovered well, but still needs the help of a walker. As soon
as Karunalaya was ready, Maruti was the first resident to be admitted into
the Home.
ARJUN RAMLING - Belgaum
The society members were informed by Dr.
Yadur about the sad plight of a man lying outside his clinic. When
some of the society members went there, they saw an old man lying
on the foot path outside the clinic. He was feeble, weak, crippled
and had many sores on his leg. He looked starved and he was in a
pitiful condition. After inquiring with some people from the area,
they learned that he was a destitute and had no place to go. Arjun was
then admitted into Karunalaya. Arjun, also one of the first residents
of Karunalaya, is a cripple and suffers from acute stomach
ulcers. After much treatment for the sores on his legs and regular
massage therapy, Arjun can now walk and it is a pleasure to watch
him helping other disabled residents in the Home.
LAWRENCE D'SOUZA - Goa
Lawrence also is from Goa. He is not married
and suffers from epilepsy. After his parents died, he was left alone
with no one to look after him, and his condition deteriorated quickly.
Some people known to him, approached and requested some society members
to take him into Karunalaya. Lawrence is not mentally sound and is unable to
remember things. He forgets things very easily.In spite of his mental state,
he still tries his best to help others in the Home.
ALEXANDER GONSALVES - Goa
Alexander came to us from a nearby village
called Santibastwad. After losing his wife, he suffered a stroke
that left him paralyzed. He has three young school-age daughters. His
daughters approached some society members to help look after their
suffering father. The society members were moved by this sad and tragic
story, and admitted Alexander into Karunalaya. He suffers from
hypertension. His condition has since improved, but he
still cannot walk due to the paralysis.
HANUMANT BETGERI - Belgaum
Hanumant is from the nearby village of
Modage. Fr. Cyril informed Mrs. Anita of a man lying at a bus-stop
for many days near Nirmal Nagar and requested her to help the man.
When Mrs. Anita went and saw Hanumant, she was shocked to see him
in such a deplorable state, lying at the bus stop in filth and dirt.
She immediately admitted Hanumant into Karunalaya and he was cleaned,
bathed and shaved. After some medical treatment for his ailments,
Hanumant is now able to walk with a stick and manages his daily chores
on his own.
PHILIP PEREIRA - Belgaum
Philip is from Goa. After he had an attack of
meningitis, Philip lost his speech and control of his muscles. As a
result, he cannot do anything on his own and needs constant help and
assistance. He was being looked after by his ailing mother, but after
she passed away, there was no one to look after him. His case was
brought forward by one of our volunteers and Philip was admitted into
Karunalaya.
EDWARD D'SOUZA - Belgaum
Edward is an orphan from Goa. He is mentally challenged
and not of sound mind. However he helps around the Home with whatever he can and
helps other residents as much as he can.
JOHN - Goa
John is originally from Mumbai and is deaf and
dumb. He is not literate and cannot write as well. Hence, the society members
were unable to find out his real name. They named him John. He was brought
to Goa to work for a family. One day a Convent Nun visiting the home noticed
John and the severe sores he had on his body. The family he was staying with
was unable to look after him and so was left unattended. The Nun felt sorry
for him and brought him to Karunalaya. She requested the society members to
take him into the Home. His condition was so bad that there were maggots
in his sores. The Nun thought our staff how to clean and treat such wounds
and to remove the maggots. The staff faithfully dressed the wound just as
the Nun had showed them. Being a diabetic, the wounds took a long time to
heal. He still has a small wound, but by the grace of God, we hope he will
fully recover one day. John is an active resident and helps around
the Home.
MALCOLM DSOUZA - Belgaum
Malcolm is an orphan and was being looked after by a
family in Goa. Even though he is not of sound mind, he used to manage doing
odd jobs around. Malcolm is unable to work any longer and support himself. The
family who used to look after him also could not do so due to their old age.
They requested the society members to keep Malcolm at Karunalaya as they could
not manage to keep him anymore.
DOMINIC RODRIGUES - Belgaum
Dominic is from Khanapur and used to sell vegetables
on his bicycle for a living. One day a spoke from his bicycle injured his leg
and Dominic did not bother to take care of the wound. Gangrene formed in his
foot and it has to be amputated. The priest from his Parish in Khanapur
requested the society members to take Dominic into Karunalaya as there was
no one to look after him.
SUDHA AND UTTAM HALALE - Belgaum
This husband and wife couple are from Belgaum.
They have a son who used to live with them. All their life they provided for
their son and even got him married well. But one day, after the son had a
fight with them, he threw the parents out of the house. Uttam had to leave
his own house with his wife Sudha. Their son told them that their own house
was transferred over to his name and asked them to leave and never return.
As these events unfolded, both parents were numb with shock and had nowhere
to go but to the nearest temple for shelter. This case was brought to the
attention of a few soceity members earlier but knew that they had a son
who was living and capable to look after them. Meanwhile, both parents walked
a distance of about 13 km (approx. 8 miles) from the city of Belgaum to the
village of Navage and appeared at the doorstep of Karunalaya. By that time,
the husband needed urgent medical attention and seemed to be in a critical
condition. Based on humane and compassionate grounds, the society members
decided to admit the husband and wife couple into Karunalaya.
JULIET AND JAMES VIEIRA - Belgaum
This brother and sister pair are from Bandra,
Mumbai. Both of them have graduated from reputable Colleges in Mumbai. However,
after graduation, both of them seemed to have developed mental problems. They
lost their father very young. Their mother tried her level best and did
everything she could for them by admitting them in various mental homes in
Mumbai. She spent all her life savings on them. However, in spite of this, she
was devastated to find out that neither of her children were showing signs of
improvement. In fact, they were both getting worse and becoming very boisterous
at the homes. Having nowhere else to go, she approached the society members and
requested them to admit both her children into Karunalaya, as she had no more
money left with her to spend on them. After being admitted into our Home, both
Juliet and James have been treated by the very gracious Dr. Belinda Viegas-Mueller
from Goa. They both suffer from Schizophrenia. Both of them have been showered with
a lot of love, care and support by the staff and residents at the Home. They have
since shown such tremendous improvement that they are now on reduced medication for
their ailments. We are very proud that they are leading absolutely normal lives
in Karunalaya.
ZULEIKA SHAIKH - Belgaum
Zuleika is from Camp, Belgaum. After her husband passed
away, Zuleika used to wander through the streets of Camp with her two young daughters.
Some people who knew her husband, got her two daughters admitted to Divine Providence
School & Boarding, Belgaum. Meanwhile, Zuleika used to roam the streets of Camp
looking for work and a place to eat and sleep. Until one day, when she got very
sick and could no longer work. Her daughters requested the society members to keep
her in the Home. She has psychiatric problems for which she is receiving treatment.
CHANDRAKALA KEDARI - Belgaum
Chandrakala is from the nearby village of Modage.
When her daughter got married and left the house, Chandrakala was left alone
to fend for herself. She could not stay with her daughter due to traditional
Hindu customs. She found work in the fields for income. However, she had to
use a stick for support. Her daughter was heart broken to see her mother's state
but unable to do anything due to her husband's family. She pleaded with the
society members to keep her mother in Karunalaya. Even though she is old,
she manages herself well and even washes her own clothes. Currently, she
is the only resident who does not need any medication.
FATIMA SHAIKH - Goa
Fatima is also from Camp, Belgaum. She is not
married and used to live with her mother. When her mother died, Fatima
went into such a traumatic depression that she even refused to clean up
herself. Her sister-in-law refused to keep her with her. She had reached
such a deplorable state that her brother earnestly requested the society
members to keep her in Karunalaya. When she was admitted into the Home,
Fatima required a lot of cleaning and personal care. The staff took days
to get her back into a clean and hygienic condition. Once Fatima was
cleaned up well, we noticed she kept mumbling to herself all day long.
She was then diagnosed with Schizophrenia and the necessary psychiatric
care was arranged. She also suffered from a liver malfunction for
which she was treated and is much better now.
MEERABAI VERNEKAR - Belgaum
Meerabai is from Karwar. She has two daughters
who moved out of the house after they got married. She managed on her own
for sometime but soon developed osteoporosis and was unable to move about
any longer. Her daughters were unable to keep her with them as their in-laws
refused to keep her. She went from one relative's house to another, until she
had nowhere else to go. At the earnest request of one of her daughters, we
brought Meerabai into the Home as she was old and in real need of help. She
suffers from high blood pressure and diabetes. With much treatment at the Home,
Meerabai is much better now and is able to move about the Home with a walker.
KALAVATI KUMBHAR - Belgaum
Kalavati is from the nearby village of Hirebagewadi.
She used to work in a chipping stone quarry. Due to her hazardous work condition,
tiny chips of stone damaged her eyes and as a result she has turned blind.
In her village, she used to go house to house begging for food and used to
sleep in her neighbor's courtyard sometimes and mess up the place.
With nowhere else to turn, some people from her village requested the
society members to take Kalavati into Karunalaya.Kalavati is doing well now
but still needs assistance moving about the Home.
IMMACULATE BHAGWATI - Goa
Immaculate is not married and was living with her
unmarried brother. After her brother passed away, she had no one to look
after her. Some people known to her requested the society members to keep
Immaculate at Karunalaya as there was no one to look after her. Immaculate
was is a pitiable condition. She has a skin disorder and has warts all over
her body. She is unable to do anything herself and needs constant help and
assistance.
RAFIQ BEPARI - Belgaum
Rafiq is mentally retarded from birth. His mother used
to care for him until she was very old but because of her failing health she was
unable to to care for him any longer. Rafiq used to roam aimlessly on the streets
till late at night until he was brought to Karunalaya and given a home.
CHRISTINE RAPOSE - Belgaum
Christine had a history of medical illnesses. She suffered
with heart problems and high blood pressure for many years until one day she suffered
a paralytic stroke and was unable to move or even stand any longer. One of our society
members recommended her case to us and we brought her into Karunalaya.
ANTHON XAVIER PINTO - Belgaum
Anthon used to work at the Belgaum railway station as a
porter. One day he suffered from such a severe paralytic stroke that he could not
move. He was lying at the railway station for almost a week uncared for. Then
some people who knew him contacted us and requested us to keep Anthon in our home.
We brought him to Karunalaya and gave him treatment. With constant and continuing
physiotheraphy Anthon is much better and recovering slowly.
PREMA TELSANG - Belgaum
Prema used to work in houses as a domestic maid servant
and make her living. However, she was suffering from high blood pressure and she
left it untreated for long. As a result, she suffered from a devastating paralytic
stroke which left her bed ridden. Her neighbours approached us and asked us to
keep her in Karunalaya. Now after almost two years, with many physiotheraphy
sessions, she had improved slightly and we are so happy to see her stand and
take a few steps.
NAGAPPA YARGATTI - Belgaum
Nagappa was found lying on the road side and was picked
up by the Sisters in Bailhongal and brought to Karunalaya. The Sisters requested
us to keep Nagappa in our home. He was paralyzed and could not walk. Apparently,
a bullock cart went over his leg when he was lying on the roadside and fractured
his thigh bone.
VITAL LAD - Belgaum
Vital's problems started at a very young age when he
suffered a mental breakdown. After his parents passed away, Vital was looked
after for many years by his older brother. Now his brother also had become
old and could not manage to look after Vital anymore. Hisbrother approached
us and asked whether we could keep Vital in our home. We took Vital in to
Karunalaya and looking after him.
HARI SHINDE - Belgaum
Hari, a tailor by profession, used to make his living
stitching clothes and lived all by himself. However, recently his health began
deteriorating and was unable to stitch any more. He could look after himself
anymore and had become very weak. We were then contacted to take Hari in to our
home as there was no one to look after him any more.
MAMTA ARYA - Belgaum
Mamta is an orphan who was looked after by her
grandfather. When her grandfather died, Mamta suffered a mental breakdown
and was admitted in a mental hospital. As she had no where else to go, the
doctor at the hospital requested us to keep Mamta in Karunalaya.
PADMAVATI KOTTIAN - Belgaum
Kalyani is a widow who was brought to us from Sasoon
Hospital Pune after she was treated there in the hospital for a fall. Kalyani
was totally bedridden and could not walk at all. We had to assist her and do
everything for her. After some physiotherapy she is slowly beginning to show
signs of improvement and walk again.
AARTI SATWANI - Belgaum
Aarti is only 15 years old. She is a mentally
retarded child. After her mother died of cancer, her father was unable
to look after Aarti any more as she needed much attention and assistance.
Some neighbours of her family requested us to keep Aarti in our home. She
is now with us and getting all the help she needs in Karunalaya.
PARVATI SHETTY - Belgaum
Parvati lost her husband and is now a widow. She
is also mentally ill. Parvati used to live near a temple outside and beg for
food. Some of the people from the village brought Parvati to our home in Goa
and she is now well looked after in Karunalaya.
FATIMA AND MARTHA PEREIRA - Goa
Fatima used to earn a living by working as a
domestic maid servant in several houses in the village. She also has a
mentally retarded daughter, Martha. As Fatima, the only bread winner
in the family, did not look after her health, she suffered a paralytic
attack that left her bed ridden. Some people from the hospital
informed us about Fatima and Martha and both were shifted to our home
in Goa. Now, both mother and daughter are being well looked after and
getting all the help that they need.
VASUDEV KORGAONKAR - Goa
Vasudev is unmarrid who worked in Mumbai as a
security guard. He does not have any family left anymore. His legs began
giving him a lot of trouble so much so that he had to give up his job.
Hence, he could not look after himself anymore. He then came to stay
with some relatives of his in Goa. But the relatives, too, could not
look after him any more. His relatives requested us to keep in Karunalaya
and we brought Vasudev into our home.
ROSARIO MASCHARENHAS - Goa
Rosario is a bachelor from Raia, Goa. He has
high diabetes and was so poor that he had no money to buy medicines to
treat his diabetes. He used to live with his brother. His brother has
now become old and could not take care of him any longer. A wound he had
on his leg was not taken care for such a long time that his foot had to
be amputated. He asked us to keep him in Karunalaya.
CARMELINE ROSARIO - Goa
Carmeline is unmarried and has no family left.
She worked in Mumbai for many years as a domestic maid servant in a
family's house. But now her legs have become weak due to osteoporosis
and she is unable to work any longer. The family she used to work for
requested us to keep her in Karunalaya as she had no one to look after
her.
MARLINZ ARAUJO - Goa
Marlinz is a spinster and is mentally ill.
She used to manage in her village with the help of neighbours. But
recently her mental state deteriorated so badly that she was unable
to do things for herself. The neighbours approached us to keep her
in Karunalaya.
GAJANAN KALAGATE - Belgaum
Gajanan was found lying on the road side
and brought to us by the Canossian Sisters of Divine Providence,
Tilakwadi. He was starving and left for dead on the road. He was
lying helplessly even as heavy Monsoon showers lashed Belgaum.
When he was brought to the home he was weak and severely malnourished.
He has since recovered in the home and can walk to his own again.
GEORGE REGO - Belgaum
George is an orphan from Castlerock, a
small town on the outskirts of Belgaum. George lost his parents
when he was very young. During a heavy Monsoon rains downpour,
George's make-shift home collapsed and he had no roof over his
head. He used to roam on the streets begging for food and shelter.
A social worker brought him to us and requested us to keep him
in our home.
VANDANA TELKAR - Belgaum
Vandana is unmarried and is a mental
patient. She has a very old mother who could not look after
her any longer. Due to her mental state, Vandana has a very
violent nature. Her aging mother could not handle her any more.
She is currently being treated by Dr. Belinda Viegas-Mueller from
Goa.
MADHUSHRI GAIDOLE - Belgaum
Madhushri is only 18 years old.
Her family is so poor that they do not even have electricity
in their house. They barely manage to make ends meet.
Unfortunately, she suffered a severe mental breakdown
just before attempting her Class 10 SSLC exams. Her
parents tried in many ways to help her by showing her
to a number of Hindu priests and medics, but Madhushri
did not improve. Her parents, after hearing about our
home, approached Mrs. Anita to see if she can help
Madhushri in any way by keeping her in our home.
