Background

There are many neglected old people in Ladakh without a proper home and in need of care. The Home for the Aged, Destitute and Handicapped provides a home, care and necessary treatment for old people who have nobody to look after them. The old people receive lodging, food, clothing and medical care so that they can lead a dignified existence. This service is especially essential for old people who have mental or social problems which make them difficult to look after. There is not a single home for the aged in the entire Ladakh region, hence MIMC is providing a service for the people of Ladakh that the government does not offer.

Existing Services

The Home was established on July 9, 1995 and now accommodates 25 residents up to age 85 and including physically and mentally handicapped residents. A new dining hall was built in 2001. During summer 2002 the dining hall is being fitted with a solar generated heating system. We would like to expand the home to accommodate 25 more residents.

Exterior view of the Mahabodhi Home for the Aged.

Elderly residents with the warden.

Resident students from the Mahabodhi School visit the elderly people regularly to provide companionship. This is in line with the School’s objective to incorporate a public service component into the children’s education that teaches them to love, respect and to take care of the aged. The regular meetings and discussions between the students and the aged facilitate the transmission of Ladakhi traditions to the new generation as well as provide warmth to the aged who are otherwise neglected and abandoned. MIMC is committed towards creating awareness of the social problems the aged face and inculcating social responsibility in the young generation.

Our elderly resident exuding good will and happiness.

Our Appeal

Due to insufficient funding, the current living condition of the elderly in the Home is basic and minimal. Furthermore, because of the lack of physical facilities, many needy requests for admissions have been regretfully turned down. MIMC would like to enhance the quality of life of existing residents and also to expand the facilities of the Home so that it can accommodate 25 more elderly people from remote areas of Ladakh and Zanskar. To accomplish this objective, we need funds for building additional accommodations and the maintenance of new residents. It costs US$20 per month to provide for each resident.

A devout resident performing her regular morning prayers despite her crippling disability

Our Mission

The Home’s aim is not limited to attending to the elderly’s physical needs such as nutritious food, comfortable living quarters and warm clothing. Regular health checkups for the residents will be conducted at the Karuna Charitable Hospital when it is completed next year. Socially, the elderly people are encouraged to become active participants in all activities of the campus. They exercise regularly, study, attend Dharma classes, take part in Dharma discussions, interact with children, meditate, and involve themselves in the community. And above all they are honored members of the campus. Thus they will not spend their days in boredom and grudge finding, but be serene, happy, exude good will to all and to share with us their life experiences and knowledge.