Six persons who were found in a pathetic condition on the streets at different places in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts will be re-united with their families, thanks to the efforts of Vishwasada Mane Rehabilitiation Centre for Mentally Challenged and Homeless Persons located at Shankarpura in Udupi district.
Addressing presspersons here on Monday, Sunil John D’Souza, president of Divine Generation Ministries Bethel Church Trust, which runs Vishwasada Mane Rehabilitation Centre for Mentally Challenged and Homeless Persons, said that Balappa (65) from Ron, Gadag district; Vimala (59) and Kabir (22) from Karad, Maharashtra; Vidyadhar Sawant (55) from Sindhudurg, Maharashtra; Prakash (48), from Nanded, Maharashtra; and Yashodha (38) from Davangere, would be re-united with their families soon.
A team from the Vishwasada Mane would leave on February 9 and take them back to their families who had been informed about it.
Balappa used to loiter in Padubidri town, talk incoherently and was a source of nuisance. On the request of the people, the police brought him to Vishwasada Mane on July 7, 2015. He was in a totally dishevelled state. He could not stand up and never allowed anyone to touch him.
After receiving medical treatment he recovered and had received training in horticulture at the Centre. “I looking forward to meeting my family,” he said.
Kabir from Karad in Satara used to walk aimlessly in Padubidri and was admitted to the centre by the police on October 24, 2015. After receiving treatment at the centre, it took him five months to give his home address.
Vidyadhar Sawant was found loitering at Nelyady in Dakshina Kannada district on December 25, 2014. The persons belonging to Omega Charitable Trust admitted him to the centre. Prakash was found by the roadside at Shirva on February 26, 2013, and was brought to the centre by the police.
He used to dance and keep talking to himself. It took three years for him to recover and remember his native place Nanded. He learnt gardening and masonry during his three years at the centre.
The people from Snehalaya Trust brought Yashodha, who was roaming on the streets of Mangaluru in a dishevelled condition, to the centre on June 6, 2012. Vimala (59) was brought to the centre in a poor physical and mental condition from Katapady on October 29, 2012. Both have recovered.
It would cost the centre about Rs. 25,000 to just take them back to their places.
The centre would welcome any help by philanthropists to adopt persons in the centre or bear other charges.
The centre had helped about 530 persons found in pathetic conditions in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada to re-unite with their families after taking care of them in the last 11 years. Presently, there are 160 inmates at the Centre, Mr. D’Souza said.
