FELLOWSHIP WITH MENTALLY RETARDED (INDIA) – FMR - www.larche.org - fmrindia@vsnl.com

Asha Niketan Kolkata (Calcutta)

37, Tangra Rd. Kolkata 700 015

Tel: 033 2329 1249

ankolkata@vsnl.net

“The deepest desire of each human being is to love and to be loved.”
(International Charter of L’Arche)

     Asha Niketan is situated in the heart of an economically deprived urban neighborhood on two sites. It has two residential units for 7 male adults and children with mental retardation, vocational training units for 35 adults (male and female), day-care for 19 children, and outreach for 6 families (age range 5 – 60 years).  Two children are sent to a special needs school. The vocational training includes candle making, tie and dye, bathik, paper craft, and stitching work. There are 14 assistants and 5 employees. 

     FMR India is an affiliated member of L’Arche International, a Federation of communities throughout the world sharing the same charter and serving the person with mental retardation. L’Arche was founded in France in 1964 by Dr. Jean Vanier. There are 122 communities in 30 different countries. Asha Niketan Bangalore was the fourth community in this Federation and so introduced a new dimension to L’Arche – that of being interfaith.  L’Arche seeks to find homes and places of sheltered work for people with mental retardation, regardless of caste, creed, economic or social status, in which they can realize their gifts.

     L’Arche: That first community begun in 1964 in France was called L’Arche (the French for Ark - the ark of Noah and of the covenant between God and his people). Others searching for God’s will in their lives and desiring to serve the poor came to stay and from that first seed 130 communities in 30 different countries throughout the world have been born. Each community is made up of men and women with mental retardation and the assistants. They live, work, celebrate and pray together as one family. Alongside the community houses there are also workshops providing sheltered work and vocational training, e.g. in craft or agricultural work. Some of the communities have welcomed children with multiple disabilities; some have developed independent living opportunities for the marginally disabled; some have outreach programmes supporting the person with mental retardation in their home context. All however are places of relationship, and transformation, where the cry to love is heard and answered.

     Making a Donation: All donations must be made by check or Direct Deposit favoring FMR India payable in Bangalore, and sent with an accompanying letter identifying the purpose of the donation, the amount donated and the mode and date of payment, name and address of the donor including PIN code. This letter is to be sent to The National Treasurer, FMR India, Asha Niketan CA7, 80 Feet Rd. 20th Main, 6th Block, Koramangala, Bangalore 560 095 Tel: 080 25524584.