TAPMI

Spandana - A home for mentally challenged

Spandana is a home and rehabilitation centre for mentally challenged adults in Udupi, Karnataka.
It all started in 2002, when Mr. Janardhan and his brother Mr. Umesh - two young men from a middleclass family who had just finished their studies - decided to take care of their brothers mentally challenged son. As there were no schools for mentally challenged adults in Udupi, the two of them decided to open their own s chool to wipe the tears of the mentally challenged mens' parents. Although they knew that there was no government funding for adults and it would be difficult to maintain adult people, still they took up the challenge. Soon the word was spread in the region about their services and people started asking them to take care of their mentally challenged family members. There were incidents when the people left their mentally challenged relatives on the doorstep of Spandana at night! It became clear that they would need more space and funds to serve the growing number of inmates. The Chaitanya Charitable Trust was founded, and in 2008 a larger building was rented Udupia, where everybody had enough space to learn, share and experience. As it mostly inhabits men over the age of 18, Spandana is not supported by government funding but is strongly dependent on donations or the support of the inmates families. Many of them, however, are not in the position to support and some of the inmates do not even have their families, anymore.

Spandana Today
Today, Spandana serves 30 - 40 mentally challenged men of age 13 to 69. They live together with the families of Janardhan and Umesh, who take care for them round the clock. They are supported by two specialized, experienced teachers and foreign students, who take the inmates through a daily program of fun and learning. Foreign students are studying various courses in Manipal.

Vocational Training
Besides basic skills like reading and writing, inmates at Spandana learn and perform a variety of vocational skills: crafting products like greeting cards, making flower decoration, soaps and many more (refer Exhibit - 1). The finished products are given to donors or sold at special events.

Extra Activities
Inmates are taken to cultural events, drawing competitions, dance shows, trips to the local beaches and sport festivals. On some weekends special programs are organized for people who come from Lions club or Rotary club etc. Inmates show case their singing, dancing and role play skills whenever provided with an opportunity.

Copyright of Social Endeavour Group, T A Pai Management Institute, Manipal

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Todays Challenge
As most of the funding is through donations, the cash flows are uncertain (see Exhibit - 2 for operating expenses). To overcome this problem they have tried to generate some revenue by making paper bags and selling them. But, could not continue due to many problems like, unable to produce in large quantities, finished goods quality was not comparable to competitors products and already there were many players in the market who were using high-tech machines to produce and supply the bags at a much cheaper rate. Now, Spandana is thinking of establishing a plant nursery at their premises ( Exhibit 3 Area Available for nursery). Mr. Janardhan got associated with nursery, which is ready to share their knowledge and skills. Nursery can involve plants for garden purpose as well as vegetables, and organic vegetables are also an option, which can be sold at a higher price. Also, ground water facility with pump is available. Mr. Janardhan in keen on engaging the inmates in some kind of activity since it helps in their development. At the same time, he would like to use this opportunity to earn some revenue to decouple their dependence on donations. And, surplus amount after utilizing for running can be saved on behalf of inmates and will enable trust to serve more inmates. But, Mr. Janardhan could not proceed further on how to do that. He is caught up with many ideas and is unable to decide whether to start the nursery or not? Should he give another try to paper bag stint? Or, somehow use the existing skills for creating more art and crafts and sell to wider audience? He feels nursery option is more suitable but is not able to bluntly rule out others. Even if he chooses nursery option, way forward is not clear on how to raise funds to start, how to operate and market the product.

Guidance to Participants
Assume the role of Janardhan and decide whether to proceed for nursery or not. If any other option is chosen (ones mentioned in the case), come up with a strong argument. If you can think of any other option than mentioned, come up with a plan.

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TAPMI

Exhibit 1

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Exhibit 2 No. of Inmates Expenses Rent of building Salary of all 10 Employees Food expenses Other expenses Total Expenses Sources of funds Donations from welfare clubs Aid from inmates families Other Funds (not regular) Total Funds 30 40 Amount (per month) (Rs.) 5,000 20,000 17,000 20,000 15,000 - 19,000 58,000 - 65,000 Amount (per month) (Rs.) 10,000 20,000 15,000 20,000 5,000 30,000 - 45,000

Exhibit 3

Total area available AREA 1: 1200 sq.ft AREA 2: 300 sq.ft The space left is occupied by buildings which therefore, cannot be used.