When Families Forget The Ones Who Wait

At Amma Nanna Anada Ashramam, we take in people abandoned on the roads — mentally disturbed, starving, and without identity. Many of them are unable to speak or remember where they came from. They live in silence, trapped inside their own minds. But with time, treatment, food, and consistent care, they slowly begin to heal. Some even start recalling their past — their names, homes, families, and lost connections.

That’s when our real challenge begins.

A Name Is Remembered And Hope Returns

When someone at the ashram remembers their name or hometown, it becomes a moment of deep hope. Staff members listen carefully, writing down every detail they mention — street names, sibling names, school, or nearby temples. These bits of memory are more than words — they’re threads we use to stitch together their lost identity. It feels like a second life is beginning.

We Search Beyond the Ashram Walls

Once we have enough information, our team sets out. We call the numbers shared. We visit villages. We speak to local elders. We try every possible way to trace the family — because we believe no one should live alone if there’s a chance of going home. And when we finally find someone related, we share the news with happiness:
“Your son is safe now. Your sister is here with us. They remember you.”

They Say They Will Come Tomorrow

Most families sound shocked. Some even cry on the phone. They ask for proof, and we show photos or videos. And then, they say something that gives the person at the Ashram joy:
“We’re coming tomorrow.”
We inform the person. Their eyes shine with hope. They wait by the gate. They prepare for a reunion.

But Tomorrow Never Comes

Days pass. The gate remains closed. Nobody arrives. When we call the family again, they stop answering. The number is switched off. Sometimes, we hear vague excuses: someone is sick, they’re busy, they’ll come next week. But slowly, it becomes clear — they don’t want them back. For reasons we may never understand, they choose to disappear again.

Also Read: Why Food and Shelter Are Still a Dream for Many in India

But Tomorrow Never Comes

Days pass. The gate remains closed. Nobody arrives. When we call the family again, they stop answering. The number is switched off. Sometimes, we hear vague excuses: someone is sick, they’re busy, they’ll come next week. But slowly, it becomes clear — they don’t want them back. For reasons we may never understand, they choose to disappear again.

Twice Abandoned But Not Alone

The pain of being forgotten once is deep. But the pain of being remembered and then rejected again — that is even worse. They sit near the gate every morning, watching vehicles, listening for voices. Sometimes they ask, “Did they call again?” And we have no answers. Their silence becomes heavier than words.

We Become the Family They Deserve

But at Amma Nanna Anada Ashramam, we don’t walk away. Even when their own blood forgets them, we stand beside them. We celebrate their recovery. We help them live a peaceful, safe life — not as patients, but as people. With birthdays, festivals, and affection, we make them feel wanted. Because family is not always about blood. It’s about showing up.

No One Waits Alone in Our Ashramam

This is not one person’s story. This is the story of many. And this is why our work is not just about food or medicine — it’s about love, dignity, and belonging. In our Ashramam, no one is left to wait forever. We are their last call. And we always answer.