The Sanjeevan complex is a medical rehabilitation center for the elderly located on a hill in Bandora, a small village near Ponda. It is located on a plot of 5000 square meters which has been allocated to the Society for the Development of Youth by the Communidade of the village of Bandora. The resort is run by Asha Sawardekar and her team from the Society for Youth Development, a non-profit organization that works for the welfare of underprivileged youth, children, women and the elderly. Construction of the Sanjeevan Complex began on October 29, 2001 and was completed in 2003.
Both floors of the complex house neat and clean rooms. At least 50 elderly people are admitted to the center, half of whom are bedridden with various medical conditions. The center is well equipped with two doctors, 16 nurses, a full kitchen providing patients with healthy meals and daytime administrative staff. Patients pay a monthly fee ranging from Rs. 6,000 rupees. 10,000 according to their needs and the nature of their ailments.
Sanjeevan, which is probably the only such institution in Goa, helps elderly people to recover from broken bones, falls or any surgery they may have had recently. The center also welcomes a few patients with Alzheimer’s disease. These patients usually stay at the center for longer periods of time.
Advertisement
In addition to this rehabilitation center, Sanjeevan also has a vocational training school where training such as home nursing, candle making, electrical wiring and repairing gadgets, soft toys, embroidery , coir flower making, handicrafts, etc. It also houses the Ayurvedic and Homeopathic Health Clinic and the CherYsh Institute for Women Empowerment.
Sanjeevan started upper secondary school in the 2013-14 school year. The school offers a vocational stream to students. It is recognized by the Goa government and is affiliated with the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education. The school is partially funded by the CherYsh Foundation in Bangalore.
The name of the course offered is Health Sciences. After successfully completing this course, students get jobs as junior nurses in public and private hospitals. They can also start their own business and provide nursing and other related services to patients.
During the course, students must undergo on-the-job training in various public and private hospitals. Student nurses are also expected to visit local communities to conduct health and hygiene surveys and sensitize villagers on the importance of cleanliness, family planning. , vaccination etc.
Some of the other services provided at Sanjeevan include:
Mahila Adhar Kendra – Women’s Shelter
It is a temporary home for women who need refuge due to family problems, divorce or mental imbalance. The women housed in this shelter are counseled and sent home. Some of them have found a job and are now independent.
Working Women and Girls Hostel
The organization runs a state-of-the-art hostel for women/girls studying or working in and around Ponda town. Several women/girls have benefited immensely from this facility.
