According to a survey conducted by the local authorities, there are more than 3,500 persons with disabilities in Sindhudurg district without any worthwhile support from the government or social organizations. We were helping persons with disabilities from the district on a needs basis. However, we always wanted to have a physical presence there. Fortunately, Mangaonkar family donated 12 acres of land by a gift deed. The land was barren and uneven. The site was surrounded on three sides by river Karli which made the project site inaccessible during four months of monsoon. However, we had a dream of building a project for comprehensive rehabilitation of persons with disabilities.
We strived with all resources at our command. Several well wishers came forward with financial and help in the form of equipment and sound advice. Gradually the project started taking shape. We experimented with agriculture growing rice, peanuts, vegetables, and fruits. We realized that these projects are not very suitable for employment of the disabled. We had to look for something else.
Cashew is a major cash crop in Sindhudurg. We realized that a lot of cashew is sent to neighboring states for processing, and hence there is a good demand for cashew processing. Moreover, this activity can be done by the disabled even while sitting in their wheel chairs. We visited nearby cashew units and learnt the processes. In the meantime Consulate General of Japan, Mumbai sponsored construction of cashew unit workshop building and dormitory rooms for thirty male vocational trainees. Manos Unidas of Spain had sponsored construction of the hostel building. Public Works department constructed a submersible bridge on the river and now the project is accessible round the year. With help from several donors and well wishers we started in a small way by processing two tons of raw cashew. Gradually the quantum was increased and the rest – as they say – is history. We are now in a position to process up to 275 tons of raw cashew per year.