BANYAN

How does The Banyan raise its funds?
The Banyan would not be able to run successfully without the active support of various individuals in its work. In fact, the majority of our core funding comes from donations from individuals through our Monthly Membership Scheme and one-off donations. Our food costs are also covered by donations from individuals through our fundraising schemes such as Meals on Time Initiative and Special Occasion Scheme. In addition, we supplement our funds by maintaining active partnerships with various corporate funding agencies, by organising popular event fundraisers, and through associations with various clubs and associations.

Does The Banyan receive funding from the government?
We have received a government grant from Swadhar. We also received 6.5 grounds of land from the government for Adaikalam.

What can I donate to The Banyan?
In addition to financial donations, we accept clothes, provisions, toiletries, medicines, furniture, household items, equipment, and many other useful items.

How can I make a donation to The Banyan?
Please refer to Donate link for our fundraising schemes.

How can I volunteer with The Banyan?
Please refer to Volunteers link.


ADAIKALAM

How long do the residents normally stay at The Banyan?
The average resident stays at The Banyan for 6-12 months, depending upon her progress and her relocation prospects.

How do residents react to acute symptoms in other residents?
The residents have been placed in different dorms in order to prevent disturbances, i.e. a new resident would be placed in Dorm 4 together with other recent arrivals, who will also be in a severe state, and will then progress upwards to Dorm 3, 2, and finally move to Dorm 1, as her psychiatric status improves. The dorm system also psycho-educates the residents, sensitising them to facing mental illness in themselves and others.

What do you do if a resident turns out to be pregnant?
We ask the resident whether she wants to have the pregnancy terminated or whether she would prefer to go on with the pregnancy. In many cases, residents prefer to have their pregnancy aborted, but in case the resident wishes to go on with the pregnancy, referrals can be made to other organisations that may be able to take care of the baby.

What does The Banyan do if a resident’s family does not accept her?
Please refer to relocation failure

What is the procedure if a resident passes away?
If possible, we inform the family at the first instance. If we are unable to locate the family, we perform the last rites and the burial.

What percentage of the residents is successfully rehabilitated and relocated?
It is difficult to give an exact estimation, as each individual case is different. Out of around 1500 residents, we have successfully rehabilitated 850. The rest have been either referred to other organisations or relocated to the Long-Stay Home or the Group Home.