About us
Asha Dham Ashram is a home for old and handicapped people, in the suburbs of Udaipur (India). Since 1997, more than 1000+ people have been welcomed here regardless of their cast, religion or origins.
We are a place where poor, sick, handicapped and old people are kept and looked after with loving care and concern. Most of our residents are completely helpless and have nobody to support them. Today, more than 225 residents live at Asha Dham Ashram.
Some of them have been badly disappointed in life. Yet, after coming to the Ashram, through the love and sympathy of the sisters, their feelings change, little by little. Hope, joy, and peace can awake again in their heart, towards a new life of love and fraternity.
Mission
The main objective of Asha Dham Ashram is human welfare. To aid the helpless, shelterless and poor people who have nobody to look after them.
- People who have nobody to look after them and lie on the roads, and who are ill and helpless, are taken care of with love and affection at Asha Dham Ashram.
- Old people who have been driven out of their homes by relatives who are unable to look after them or think them to be useless are taken care of with love and affection at Asha Dham Ashram.
- Orphan children without protection are provided protection, education and development so that in the future they may become independent and live respectably in society.
- Children who have been abandoned by their unmarried mothers to escape from social stigma are cared for and provided with education and development in order to enable them to live respectably in society.
- Food, clothing and shelter is provided to all the inmates of the Ashram and nutritious diet and other necessary items are given to the children for their proper development.
- Hostel facilities are provided to the helpless and shelterless people according to their category of men, women, children or infants and they are provided with a bed, table, chair and other essential furniture and items.
- All the members of the Ashram are provided with facilities of recreation and medicine in order to develop happiness, love, peace and a feeling of co existence through the help of a library, reading room, t.v., radio, etc. In the Ashram, children are provided with facilities for recreation and physical development and primary education and later on for secondary education and are given books, stationary, uniform and other essential things for their proper development.
- All the members of the Ashram are given monthly medical checks to ensure their good health. A dispensary has been established for the treatment of sick people, and a vehicle provided to get sick people to the hospital. In case of death cremation facilities are provided as per their respective religions.
- Ill members and children are provided with Allopathic, Ayurvedic, and Homeopathic treatment and, in case of emergency, given first aid. For that, in the dispensary qualified doctors and nurses are selected according to the rules and regulations of the Society. Rules and regulations of service are formulated for them.
- Ill members and children are provided with private wards, and, for their care and attention are provided trained nurses, matron and admission in charge.
- The ill members are provided with proper medication and life saving medicines. For this purpose they are provided with a dispensary with all the necessary medicines and a store room in which to store the medicines.
- Handicapped children are provided with food, shelter, clothing and education for their future. Facilities are provided for their technical education to enable them to get through life and, for this, financial help is sought through the associated organizations, companies and donors.
- Help and required finances are arranged for all the above works from the state government, central government, semi-government and trusts.
- Old citizens rights are protected to help them find happiness and peace.
- This organization will be completely non-political and without any partiality. Through peace it will serve the human welfare by developing awareness among the general masses. Along with the above-mentioned points it will take proper decisions and execute them. "I will make you well again, I will heal your wounds... I have always loved you and continue to show you my constant love." Jeremiah 30:17
History of Asha Dham
Asha Dham Ashram in Udaipur is an effort of goodwill of the people to come forward and help the destitute, the unwanted and the uncared for. To help them feel the warmth and love of God, find meaning and happiness in life, and feel that they are loved and cared for. All people of goodwill are welcome to join in this movement.
In 1997, Sister Damian and Sister Bernadette, from the Prabhudasi Sisters of Ajmer, started helping these people of Udaipur. On the roads of Udaipur they found a beggar woman who had broken bones and whose hands and legs were rotting. Due to the bad smell nobody was prepared to go near her to help her. Under their initiative she was carried to the hospital for proper treatment and care.
Shortly after, Sister Cleophas joined them. In this way this Ashram for love and care was started and local people helped in all possible ways. The Bishop of Udaipur, Rev. Joseph Pathalil also gave them help by providing them with rooms at St. Paul's school campus. In a few days the number of shelterless people increased leading to shortage of accommodation.
In June 1999, the Bishop provided some land and a small building for this Society and now the Ashram functions in this place.
Since 2002, Help Age India has been providing necessary medicines every Monday through its mobile van.
In 2003, on request of Mr. Rajendra Kumbhat on behalf of the Ashram, the then Chief Minister Mr. Ashok Gehlot bought an ambulance for the Ashram. A tin shed was also made where the inmates sit, take food and relax in all seasons.
A dispensary was constructed with the biannual assistance of Udaipur Cooperative Bank Ltd. Tables, chairs and the Bank also provided curtains.
Residents are kept engaged in different activates such as worm composting, gardening, working cattle and running the biogas plant operation.
It is a Herculean task to fulfil the requirements of all our residents, but our volunteers, with dedication and humanitarian attitude, perform all those things. Through the love and affection of our volunteers, all tasks related to residents are being dealt with.