Very often, sometimes everyday, we are requested in Goa , to take off the streets, people who are homeless and in inhumane condition.

And these requests are even from government hospitals in Goa which have many such homeless people brought by the Goa Police.

It's the most difficult service to provide as most of these cases are so bad and pathetic that as many as 12-16 months is the recovery time.

Alcohol and drugs is the cause of their horrible medical condition.

One such case is a Maharashtrain Mr Sushil Falke from PUNE.

Was working in coastal area and naturally drinking to an extent he lost weight and developed multiple health issues resulting in his mental imbalance as well inability to stand & walk without support. 

FEB / MAR 2023 , district hospital mapusa requested us to admitt him into our home as he could not be kept longer in the hospital.

Admitted into our home,  but was too weak for initial few months so was put on physiotherapy & diet which was high in fat & protein.

With medication and care by the care givers and regular follow up at hospitals he started to regain his strength.

Initially was given light house hold work to keep him moving else they feel they are in a hotel where everything is free and no need to work.

From light work was then put on the food car to pick food and finally once confident was put in the kitchen as a cook.

Last 6 months he has been doing a good job as a cook witn responsibility and sincerity.

Claims to have a wife & children back home which is one of the most common reasons we hear once they recover. 

Tourist season too is around the corner so he might be tempted to get a job in the coastal area but thats a risk he takes of walking away from our home.

We have a policy : once you leave our home and you are fit and fine , if found back on the streets we don't accept you back as the troubles to get you back on your feet is costly and sets a bad example for others to follow.

70% of the men like Sushil who have recovered & left our homes claiming they have family back home are going to their villages have never gone home but are back to alcohol and end up on the streets of Goa & soon or later are in worse conditions then they were earlier.

On the other side we have 20% men who stay back and work with us as they know that their problem is Alcohol and if they leave our home one day they will end up as unclaimed bodies in the morgue.

Only 10% actually go back to their families and live normal family lives.

One thing is assured in our rehabilitation program is ” All bed ridden patients irrespective of their medical condition at the time of their admission,  will walk and stand up but the time frame is 12 – 16 months “.

Our Physiotherapists do a great job in getting such bed ridden patients up & running supported by the care givers and house incharge.

Last few months we have gone slow on admitting such cases ESPECIALLY MEN,  resulting in piling up of homeless MEN in Government hospitals as well as on the streets of Goa as government is not providing us funds ESPECIALLY for MEN & running costs are touching close to Rs 20k to Rs 25k per men per month to take care off.

Looks like The Government prefers that these homeless men stay in the Government hospitals which is more expensive than be put in a shelter home.

Margao, Panjim , Vasco & Mapusa cities have a huge no of such homeless men but the Government is not supporting our Ngo with funds and that's the reason we are unable to do much.

Only in extreme cases we are accepting homeless men into our home.

All communications strictly through whatsapp messages only on 8380097564

Www.streetprovidencegoa.com 

God bless you all