“Saturday Sangamam” – A thought of gathering of elders to remove the social isolation in and around Sivasailam/Alwarkurichi village.  Our trust started this program in July 2022 and now completing 100th week -Saturday Sangamam on 15^th June 2024.

During these 100 weeks, every Saturday, our vehicle went to V.K.Puram, Alwarkurichi, Mannarkoil, Pappakudi, Ambasamudram, Ambur, Potalpudur and Kadayam to enable elders to travel to our Senior Citizen Centre at Sivasailam.  Approximately 130 elders gather every week and we arrange for activities to remove their social isolation and connect them with younger generations. During these 100 Weeks, we organised medical camps for Elders, making elders visit nearby places of religious and cultural importance, organising pattimandram etc.  We served good food and organised various speeches and special activities till 4.30 p.m. on Saturdays.

Grand Celebration of 100th Week of Saturday Sangamam on 15th and 16th June 2024 with elders.  We invited all the elders and various guests to become part of this celebration and there was an overwhelming response of more than 360 people gathered on both days.  On 15^th June -Saturday, event started with prayers and yoga program.  Followed by pledge taken on the occasion of “World Elder Abuse Awareness Day” by school and college students. 

With the support of Helpage India organised a special Health Camp and elders ensured that they are hale and healthy. Sh. Elisa Chandradoos, Manager of Helpage India addressed the gathering with Helpage India’s mission of fighting isolation poverty and neglect of elders.  He added that 79% of elders feel that their family does not spend enough time with them, 40% elders want to learn new things, to feel included, 47% elders are dependent on family for Income, 30% of the elderly are willing to volunteer and contribute to society, 71% elders feels that their family members need to take time and sit with them.  He requested that Let’s create an elder inclusive environment.

Mr. M Sundram, Mr. Sailasubramanian, Trustees of Vama Trust and Mr. S. Lakshman welcomed and thanked all elders for their participation during all these 100 weeks.  Elders shared their experiences of visiting Senior CitIzen Centre and several elders mentioned that they could come regularly for more than 75 weeks and some claimed to be there for more than 90 weeks.  They mentioned that Saturday Sangamam event helped not only reducing their isolation but also enabled them to be inclusive in the society by learning many things during these days. Many thanks Vama’s Trustees and staff for their tireless endeavour to conduct the events regularly without any break.

On Sunday, 16th June, event started in the presence of the lone surviving freedom fighter of the District and former civil servant Sh. Lakshmi Kanthan Bharathi Retd. IAS.  Sh. S Sankara Raman & Secretary of Amar Seva Sangam, Ayikudi along with his wife Smt. Ramani Sankararaman & Selvi Srirengam Amma and Sh. Balamurugan of Avvai Ashram, Mrs. Suganya of Vishwa Raksha Senior’s Home, Tenkasi along with her husband, Mr. Kannaya, Correspondent, Siddharkal Kottam Academy, Papanasam, Mrs and Mr. Nallasivan, M Muthukumarsamy, Trustees, Mrs. Saraswathi  Mrs. and Mr. Pandian from Stars Creative, Sh. Nataraja Mudaliyar, Smt. Lakshmi, AOL Trainer and many more graced the occasion.

Baby Mahalakshmi and students of Siva Narthana Nrithyalaya, V.K. Puram and Students from Hindu Middle School, Pappakudi performed several dance, drama and songs.  All appreciated and certificates were distributed to the performers.

Great lunch with varieties of snack were served to make event more enjoyable. All elders & guests present wished & blessed Vama Trust to continue the program for many more weeks with same effort of serving Elders Care.  Elders appreciated Vama team’s efforts and support particularly Mrs. Shanmuga Vadivoo manager Vama Trust for her tireless and smiling face.

We also discussed on the continuing the weekly sangamam event further on the request of elders and proposed to extent this event on community-based activity to reach to more elders.  This event program going forward would be more of empowering and enabling elders to discuss locally their requirements and connect the generation in their location.  We also submitted the proposal of financial literacy and how to manage the loan received and pay it back by utilising the same for the purpose with best governance practices.  Sh. Sankaraman of Amar Seva Sangam guided to do the training and empower elders with financial ability through Self Help Groups.  Vama would visit Amar Seva and learn to enhance its activity as more community based to bring sustainability.  We once again thank for your support.  

Vama Charitable Trust wants to express its gratitude of saying thank you to all its donors, participants, well-wishers and seek the continued support to serve the elders better.