ICDE-INDIA - ICYE

Code: 28• NAME OF THE PROJECT SHAKTHIDHAMA• LOCATION Mysore, Karnataka• CONTACT PERSON Mr.G.S. Jayadev• THEME OR TYPE OF PROJECT Women’s rehabilitation and development centre• AIMS OF THE PROJECT Shakthi Dhama was founded in Feb.1997 with abroad spectrum of objectives to ameliorate Socioeconomicproblems of women in distress. The mainfocus of the project is to rehabilitate destitute andestranged women towards economic self-reliance.Presently we have constructed enough buildings toaccommodate nearly 80 women .We haveadministrative block, two dormitory building tohouse 80 women, a modern kitchen and a spaciousdining hall with required amenities.The Genesis: Shakthi Dhama emerged as a feltneed of the Mysore City. The then PoliceCommissioner Mr. Kempaiah happened to explainthe plight of the destitute women in a meetingwhere Dr. Rajkumar, a well-known film artist, hiswife Mrs. Parvathamma Rajkumar and SriShivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji of Sutthur mutt (avoluntary organization engaged in education andhealth) were present. Deeply concerned of theplight of the women, Mr.Kempaiah pleaded hisinability to ameliorate the hardship of these womenthrough official methods. However, he suggested avoluntary approach to the problem, which wasstrongly endorsed by Dr.Rajkumar. This resulted inthe formation of Shakthidhama, a women’srehabilitation centre with Mrs.ParvathammaRajkumar as the president of the organization. Apiece of land in the Mysore City was acquired andthe Buildings of Shakthidhama were constructed• PROJECT’S ACTIVITIES Work as a therapy: Work in Shakthi Dhama isconceived as a therapy. Continuous involvement inwork helps the inmates overcome lingeringdelinquencies that they might have acquired duringthe past life. Inmates cook their own food, growvegetables and fruits in the kitchen garden, andmaintain cleanliness of the dormitories, kitchen andthe premises. Surplus of the grown vegetables andfruits are sold.Medical Care: two of our trustees are physiciansand they provide medical care. The JSS hospitalnot only provides psychiatric assistance but alsoconducts screening for HIV and STD. Part-timephysicians also attend to the medical need of theresidents.Adult Literacy and Vocational Training: Few of theinmates are literate and have passed SSLS andPUC. They function as teachers to other inmateswho are illiterate. They conduct regular literacyclasses.