We are happy to share the successful completion of the 171st week of Sangamam, held on 11th April at Sivasailam. We organized the gathering with the participation of more than 60 elders from various locations. All the elders attended with great interest, even though the Panguni Thiruvizha celebrations were taking place at Papanasam and V.K. Puram temples.

As committed last week, we started the session with a small warm-up exercise, followed by the Mudra practice that the elders had learned in the previous week, with the support of our trustee Mr. Kumar. After that, we trained the elders in chair exercises, which are very useful for senior citizens. These included simple movements for the legs, hands, fingers, neck, and other body parts. All the elders participated energetically and enthusiastically.

After completing the exercises, we distributed hot malt drinks to everyone. We then began an interactive sharing session where the elders spoke one by one. Through this interaction, they learned from one another about friendship, peer support, how they overcame life’s struggles, and how they managed financial difficulties after the loss of their life partners. Many elders expressed how much they learned from listening to each other’s experiences. We also enjoyed some inspiring story-sharing moments.

One elderly woman, Mrs. Pratty from the nearby village of Meenakshipuram, shared her touching life story, which deeply moved everyone present. When she was only 10 years old, her father left the family and went to Rangoon with some local people. Unfortunately, he never returned, and the family received no communication or support from him. Her mother had to struggle alone to raise three daughters. At that young age, Pratty stopped her schooling and began working in farms as a daily wage laborer to support her mother and sisters.

She sacrificed her own marriage and personal life in order to care for her sisters, arrange their marriages, and later help raise their children as well. Even today, she continues to live for her sisters and their families. Now, due to old age, she is unable to work or earn and is struggling for food and daily necessities. Her story touched every listener, and all the elders appreciated her sacrifice and assured her, saying, “We are with you. Don’t worry. VAMA will support you too.”

Many other elders also shared their experiences and memories with their friends. At the end of the day, everyone returned home with happy hearts and a sense of belonging.

Thank you for your continued support to Sangamam and VAMA Trust