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Shantipuram
– Abode of Peace, is home to nearly 450 mentally ill
patients. They are chronically ill, disturbed, impulsive, and
have mood swings. All the residents of this Centre have
expressed their pain
at
being rejected by their families
and 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 –
as if they were family. This interweaving bond of affection
and friendship is obviously God’s love.
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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
paper reading and presentation of news by each group, quiz
competitions, and games. Of course, the day first starts with
the celebration of the Holy Mass. Great emphasis is given to
prayer. Most of the residents do not need sedation at night -
this is attributed to the spiritual atmosphere of the Centre.
In the evenings, many of the residents do gardening, take
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 personal space.
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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 Divine Retreat Centre.
During the Potta Convention, it produced 9,000 loaves of
bread daily!
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There
are other small cottage industries being run by the residents:
a soda water bottling facility, statue production 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.
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"It is
kindness that I want, not animal sacrifices" (Mt.
9:13) |
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