Divine Care Centre

Shantipuram – Abode of Peace, is home to nearly 450 mentally ill. All the residents of this centre have experienced the pain of being rejected by their families and the society. The greatest merit of this centre is its approach to the residents. All the priests, doctors, nuns and volunteers mingle with the residents freely like family. This bond of affection and friendship is obviously an expression of God's love.

There is a daily planned program to keep the Divine Care residents occupied and to lead as normal a life as possible. There is morning exercise, group reading and presentation of news by each group, quiz competitions and games. The day begins with the celebration of Holy Mass. Great emphasis is given to prayer. Most of the residents do not need sedation at night - this is attributed to the religious atmosphere of the centre. In the evenings, many of the residents do gardening, go for walks and play outdoor games.

Half of the residents are able to do simple chores – gardening, kitchen duties and cleaning. All the residents are taught to clean and look after their rooms.

Divine Bakery, which opened a year ago, has 30 residents who work in the packing department. They work in two shifts. On an average day, the bakery produces 1,500 loaves of bread for the needs of all the retreatants of the Divine Retreat Centre. During the Potta Convention, it produced 9,000 loaves of bread daily.

There are other small cottage industries being run by the residents: a soda water bottling facility, statue production unit and a gift shop.

Divine Care Centre expects to have 2,000 residents by 2007 – making it the largest Home for the mentally ill in Asia. We need your help to achieve this plan of God.

It is kindness that I want, not animal sacrifices (Mt. 9:13)