About
INSPIRED BY DIFFERENCE.
‘First, feel from the heart …are you seized with that one idea of the misery of ruin and have you forgotten all about your name, your fame … found any way out, any practical solution…?’
In your quarter there are lots of poor people sunk in degradation and misery. You will have to go to them and serve them with your zeal and enthusiasm. Arrange to distribute medicines to those who are sick, and nurse them with all care, supply food to him who is starving, teach with as much as lies in you the ignorant, and if you begin to serve your brethren in this wise, I tell you, my child, you will surely get peace and consolation.‘
– Swami Vivekananda
How To Reach
History
Sakwar is situated on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway (NH 8) about 82 kms from Mumbai in Taluka Vasai, District Palghar.
Inspired by Swami Vivekananda’s call to the nation, this backward area was identified in 1972 to serve people residing in about 500 villages of Vasai, Palghar, Dahanu, Vikramgad, Wada, Jawahar, Mokhada, Bhiwandi, Sahapur Talukas of Palghar District. At that time people lacked easy access to medical services, education and even trade to earn any income.
The monks and volunteers, including doctors, conducted a medical camp every Sunday near the village Sakwar. The initial period was difficult as there was no appropriate place to set up the medical camp. Traveling from Mumbai would take hours as roads were not in a good condition either.
In 1975, the Rural Health and Welfare Programme Centre was inaugurated on a spacious land measuring 8 acres and 28 gunthas leased by the Government of Maharashtra at Village Sakwar.
What started with medical camps on Sundays and has grown into a total Community Enablement Model. It has grown in infrastructure as well as services offered to people in and around Sakwar.
The Centre’s activities are now supported by government agencies, generous corporates, devotees, general public, volunteers and the staff of the centre.
EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY
A separate building has been built for education activities, including a hostel for boys, and class rooms. Students stay in the hostel on campus, and are provided food and medical aid, free of cost.
Apart from the regular training, students also participate in work on the campus (including working in the Dairy Farm, agricultural work, cultural events etc.) which provides extensive practical experience and moulds their personality.
Every year about 100 students are admitted to various courses of 6 months to 1 year duration. At the end of the course students are presented with certificates and tools to start the work.
The workshops are well-equipped and modern. The teaching staff is experienced. The course work includes both theory and practical. For some courses the final examinations are carried out by Government Technical Education Department.
Students are able to stand on their own feet and get jobs immediately after these courses.
Besides this, the students are also imparted spiritual training.
Tailoring Course
Carpentry, Cabinet & Furniture Making
Electric Wiremen Course
Motor Vehicles Mechanic Course
Welding (Gas & Electrical)
Community Health Worker
MEDICAL SERVICES
01. Facilities
Medical services at the centre are carried by volunteer doctors and volunteers. The facilities include: X-RAY, automated Pathology, nursing station and consulting rooms. The RHWP centre has been recognized by Mumbai University as a post graduate internship centre. Two to three doctors are residents at the centre and participate in treating patients and primary health education for the resident students.
02. Free Medicines
The Centre treats about seven hundred patients every week in the Out Patient Department. Patients come from places as far as 100 km from the centre. The patients are given free medicines, vitamins, proteins etc. Patients are provided with nutritious khichidi in the afternoon. Patients requiring hospitalizations are admitted in the Mission hospital in Mumbai or admitted in nearby hospitals.
03. Special Camps
Special camps are conducted for skin diseases, eye checkup and regular cataract operations. Patients are provided free spectacles in eye camps.
Farming & Agricultural
Agricultural activities include growing paddy, farming vegetables and fruits, livestock management. Students participate in these activities as part of their course work. Regular agricultural camps for rural women are conducted by experts from MAHICO.
Cultural Activity
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
- This includes cultural strengthening at the level of traditional culture, national-level identity, and also daily values.
- To preserve and promote traditional art and culture, the Centre encourages tribal folk dances, music and painting.
- The Centre also celebrates Independence Day, Republic Day and festivals such as Ganesh Puja, Krishna Janmashtami, Ram Navami, GudiPadwa.
- Prayers, vedic chanting and classes on scriptures are a daily routine in the shrine at the Centre.
