For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?. The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’Sadhana Renewal Centereis a joint initiative of the Claretian Missionaries of St. Thomas Province and the Archdiocese of Thivandrum. This center was officially inaugurated on 25 August 2006 as a rehabilitation center for the mentally challenged. The centre cares those people wandering in the streets, the market places, bus stations, railway stations etc. as they are left alone due to various reasons of mental and psychological imbalances. More than 30 such persons are collected from the streets and are given them shelter care in Sadhana Renewal Center. As of December 2009 there are 51 inmates in the center, aged between 18 and 75. This centre is situated in Monvila, opposite to Nirmalalayam convent.
Sadhana's Objectives
To provide dignity of human life to the mentally sick people and unwanted wandering people, To create an awareness in all our mentally sick people as well as in others that all these mentally challenged ones are God’s own children and our own brothers who deserve and desire love and mercy, To ensure the rehabilitation of these mentally sick people, very specially those men who wander through the streets having no one as their won giving them daily food and medicine, To create an inspiration to people who live a higher standard of living in the society and through this an attitude of co operation and service mentality in them.
Sadhana's Activities
Caring the mentally challenged, especially those wandering in the streets, market places and transport stations, Providing spiritual, psychological and physical assistance towards the integral welfare of the above mentioned people, Collaborating with governmental and non-governmental organizations for the welfare of the mentally challenged and the alcoholics and substance abusers, Assistance to the families of the inmates especially through counseling and guidance.
Sadhana's Achivements
Sadhana Renewal centre is of the people, for the people and by the people. The greatest achievement of the centre is that it runs purely with the complete support and help from many good willed people in around Trivandrum. The centre has so far accommodated nearly 150 people. The centre is able is to manage itself with its various activities, such as gardening, agriculture, vegetables cultivation, diary, poultry etc., by our own inmates. We are able to ensure their integral growth by providing them various opportunities like spiritual nourishments through Eucharist, community prayer, Rosary, Bible sharing, hymns etc., Physical health through Yoga, exercises, manual work etc., mental health through counseling, watching Television, games, recreation and so on. Many poor families in and around Trivandrum become a part of our endeavor through the giving of daily food, washing the inmates’ cloths, frequent visits, providing the daily material needs such as rice, soaps, cloths , various other food items etc.