Sanjeevan Complex is a medical rehabilitation centre for senior citizens on a hill in Bandora, a small village near Ponda. It is situated on a 5000 square metre plot which was allotted to the Society for Youth Development by the Communidade of Bandora village. The complex is run by Asha Sawardekar and her team at the Society for Youth Development, a non-profit organisation that works for the welfare of underprivileged youth, children, women and elderly people. The construction of the Sanjeevan complex began on 29th October 2001 and was completed in the year 2003.
The two stories of the complex house neat and clean rooms. At least 50 elderly people are admitted in the centre, half of whom are confined to the bed with different medical ailments. The centre is well equipped with two doctors, 16 nurses, a full-fledged kitchen providing the patients with healthy meals and day-time administration staff. The patients are charged a monthly fee ranging from Rs. 6,000- Rs. 10,000 depending on their needs and the nature of their ailments.
Sanjeevan, which is probably the only institution of its kind in Goa, allows senior citizens to recuperate from fractures, falls or any surgery which they may have recently undergone. The centre also has a few patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. These patients usually stay at the centre for longer periods of time.
In addition to this rehabilitation facility, Sanjeevan also has a vocational training school where training in courses such as home nursing, candle making, electrical wiring and repairs of gadgets, soft toys, embroidery, flower making coir products, handicrafts, etc. are provided. It also houses the Ayurvedic and Homoeopathic Health Clinic and the CherYsh Institute of Women Empowerment.
Sanjeevan started a higher secondary school in the academic year 2013-14. The school offers a vocational stream to students. It is recognized by the Government of Goa 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 Science. After passing this course, students get jobs as junior nurses in government and private hospitals. They can also start their own enterprise and provide nursing and other related services to patients.
During the course, students have to go for on the job training in various government and private hospitals, The student nurses also have to visit local communities to conduct health and hygiene surveys and to create awareness among the villagers regarding the importance of cleanliness, family planning, immunisation etc.
Some of the other services provided at Sanjeevan include:
Mahila Adhar Kendra – Shelter Home for Women
This is a temporary home for women who need shelter due to family issues, divorce or mental imbalance. Women who are housed at this shelter are counselled and sent back to their homes. Some of them are provided with employment and are now standing on their own feet.
Working Women and Girls Hostel
The organisation runs a state of the art hostel for women/ girls studying or working in and around Ponda city. Several women/girls have benefitted immensely from this facility.
