Mangaluru: In June, the Snehalaya Psycho-Social Rehabilitation Centre for Men and Women, a unit of Snehalaya Charitable Trust, successfully reunited 14 people found on the streets with their families from various parts of India. Veena D’Souza, deputy administrator, shared the joy of these reunions, noting that individuals from Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh were among those reconnected with their loved ones.
From January to June, the center admitted 78 individuals, with 55 successfully reuniting with their families. The process involves extensive counseling and therapy to help these individuals open up about their backgrounds. The center collaborates with government agencies and other NGOs to locate the families of those in their care.
Joseph Crasta, founder of Snehalaya, highlighted the challenging nature of these cases. He recounted the story of Lexa Ben, 52, who was reunited with her family in Vadodara after 20 years. Lexa, suffering from mental illness, was admitted to Snehalaya through the Kerala government’s Prathyasha Project and was reunited with her family on June 21.
Another touching story is of Dileep, 45, who had been separated from his family for 30 years. After receiving treatment and support, Dileep was transferred to Shraddha Rehabilitation Foundation and reunited with his family in Dharashiv, Maharashtra, on June 4. His mother was overjoyed to see him after such a long separation.
