Appeal

The Ramakrishna Math and Mission has passed a resolution for a fully fledged centre to be established in Johannesburg, to further give effect to its purpose of serving and uplifting society. The Centre has acquired new land to construct an ashram facility which will include a place of worship (temple), a Vivekananda Community Hall (for the purposes of conducting medical, skills-development, human excellence programmes and value-based education interventions), administration building supporting the welfare & humanitarian activities, residential facilities for monks and professional volunteers, as well as classrooms and parking.

Capabilities

• A track record in delivering infrastructural and humanitarian projects.
• Strong governance and oversight by the Trustees and professional volunteers.
• Projects are managed by the Centre’s professional team which includes highly skilled administrators, project managers, legal and accounting personnel.
• Upliftment of the communities and provides humanitarian aid on an ongoing basis to various organisations irrespective of caste, creed, religion and race.
• Promoting peace and Indian culture

In this regard, we humbly request your financial and in-kind support for the construction of this facility. The meaningful donation you make will contribute to the upliftment of our communities and the lives of the less fortunate.

The estimated cost of the facility is R25 million. We have successfully submitted our applications for the rezoning and environmental impact assessment to the respective local municipalities for approval

Our National and Local Impact

The Clinic continues to enhance its specialist services to the indigent population in various medical and allied disciplines:

• 103 surgical operations and 555 formal laboratory tests were performed. 140 pairs of prescription spectacles were dispensed.
• The Swami Vivekananda Nephrology and Dialysis Programme is ongoing.
• The Centre recently built the Ramakrishna Nzamo Home, a 40-bed facility in the Inanda region for children with cerebral palsy. The facility is being handed over to the community with sustainable support from the Department of Social Development.

The various Ramakrishna Centres’ of South Africa also offer support to other NGOs who have demonstrated a willingness and commitment to serving disadvantaged communities: Phoenix Alcoholics Rehabilitation Centre, Ramakrishna eThembeni Home, the Abalindi Welfare Society, Ramakrishna Abalindi Home, Kwa-Mashu Ekusizaneni Children's Home and Qiuisela Creche, Umlazi; JE Ndlovu High School, Kwa Mashu, Kiasha Park Primary School, Flamingo Primary School, Greyville Primary School, Lufhereng Primary School (Soweto) and Ladies of Hope (Ennerdale).

The Ramakrishna Nutrition Programme provides support in the form of cooked meals, grocery hampers, sandwiches, fruit and vegetables as well as bread and milk. Of note is the provision of cooked meals to the impoverished community of Lenasia. In addition, beneficiaries, primarily women and young children receive spiritual guidance and counselling, monthly grocery hampers, various household items, medical support (including dentistry and general medical advice), school uniforms, legal aid (of special importance being drawing up of wills) and warm blankets and heaters during winter.