Overview

The Banyan was set up by two women, Vandana and Vaishnavi, in 1993 as a shelter and transit home for homeless women for mental illness who had wandered from their homes across the country and ended up on the streets of Chennai (capital city of Tamil Nadu). One of the duo's core beliefs was that the women needed to receive timely treatment and to be rehabilitated in mainstream society. Thirteen years later, after reaching out to over 1500 women, and successfully rehabilitating over 700, their beliefs have been vindicated.

The Banyan currently houses over 380 residents at Adaikalam (Tamil for 'home') and The Long Stay Home in Otteri and employs around 90 members of staff, including trained social workers, doctors, psychiatrists, nursing aides, and other categories of staff that contribute to the smooth running at the centre.

The Banyan follows a rehabilitation process broadly given below:

  1. Adaikalam
  2. Steps towards rehabilitation
  3. Treatment
  4. Occupational Therapy
  5. Vocational Training
  6. Re-integration
  7. After care
  8. Holistic care
  9. Legal Aid Clinic

Details

Min/max # of volunteers:

They can take in more than one volunteer, depending upon the availability of space.

Length of project:

6 months to 1 year.

Description of work:

Banyan is keen on having volunteers from all walks of life, with or without specific skill sets. Some of the volunteer opportunities at The Banyan include the following:

  • Adaikalam (Transit Home)
  • Interpreting for residents in different regional languages
  • Fundraising
  • Assistance at events
  • Administration
  • Vocational training
  • Spending time with the residents

You could also email Dr. Lakshmi Sundar at sundarlakshmi@hotmail.com if you have any other areas of interest that you would like to share and explore.

Location:

Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Room and board:

The organisation will provide food and board at Adaikalam for the duration of stay.

Financial requirements:

The volunteers will have to pay for their air fare to and from Chennai. Additionally there will be monthly personal expenses to take care of and around USD100 per month (about Rs.4500) should be more than sufficient to cover this.

Specific requirements:

As the Banyan caters to women at Adaikalam they would prefer a female volunteer.

Website:

www.thebanyan.org

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