Visiting Parel, the Kaviratnes, who at the time had just returned from a long stay in London, saw young children living on the pavements with their parents while undergoing treatment for cancer at the Tata Memorial Hospital in the area.
All it ever takes is one decisive moment. Ten years ago, one such moment for Nihal Kaviratne and his wife Shyama has helped hundreds of families who come to Mumbai from Maharashtra’s interiors for their child’s cancer treatment.
Visiting Parel, the Kaviratnes, who at the time had just returned from a long stay in London, saw young children living on the pavements with their parents while undergoing treatment for cancer at the Tata Memorial Hospital in the area.
These families were too poor to afford interim accommodation while the kids underwent chemotherapy and other curative treatments. Lack of effective care and hygiene and the woeful living conditions worsened the children’s health. The couple decided to do something and set up an accommodation centre right in the neighbourhood.
On its first day, St Jude India Childcare Centre already had eight families. At the moment, 414 families have the support they need at 33 such centres across Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Jaipur. The NGO doesn’t simply provide a roof — thoughtful holistic care to children undergoing treatment for cancer and their families is part of the package.
Each centre has 12 rooms, accommodating 12 families at a time. A cupboard, clean bed, shelves and soft board ensure they are comfortable in their unit, even as they have access to a common kitchen, living room, learning area and dining area. The community space though is where there’s maximum buzz, as families, especially children, take part in various activities through the week.
You’ll find numerous grateful families here, each with heartwarming stories. DNA visited the Cotton Green centre in Mumbai. There, we met Ranjeeta Guru from Orissa, who’s here for her 11-year-old son Arup’s treatment. “The kitchen provisions are a big help. I can make healthy food for Arup, which is required as he undergoes chemo sessions.”
All the families walking in through their doors receive counselling. A teacher visits six days a week for arts and crafts activities, and there are yoga sessions for stressed families as well.
Another set of parents, Ramkishan Sharma and his wife Priyanka, are here from Patna for the treatment of their one-year-old son, who is suffering from blood cancer at Tata Memorial Hospital. “Initially, we were staying in Bandra. That room was infested with cockroaches, and it was very dirty. We’ve been here for three months now, and can’t thank St Jude enough for their help,” says Sharma.
“We try to provide most things that can help a sick child smile,” says Usha Banerji, CEO, St Jude Childcare Centre. A fruit basket, toiletries and also a bucket, which is often needed as chemo sessions bring about bouts of vomiting, are also provided to the families.
How do families find their way here? If the treating doctor feels that the child’s treatment will go on for long and the family comes from a weak socio-economic background, the hospital sends a recommendation to St. Jude. Recommendations also come in from various NGOs.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Kaviratne")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}