As our survey went on for the most anwanted in the society ,we understood the need of devolopmental work among the mentally challenged in Sindhudurg Dt. Mentally chellenged are not properly cared group in this district. As per our survey, we could identify 1065 mentally challenged cases in this area. As the district is economically backward the families are not financially capable of giving adequate care for the mentally chellenged persons.They are confined to their homes. Since the kith and kin have no knowldge of mental retradation, they find it difficult to manage and look after these children.Some times they are locked inside their houses. Some considers it as a disgrace to have a mentally challenged child. We understood that it is the felt need of the people of this area and we took up the chellenge of training and rehabilitating this unprivilaged group of the society. With this purpose in mind Sangli Mission Society has purchased 7 acres of land in Zarap village and jeevdan was established on 12th june 2000

Jeevdan had conducted an elaborate survey and study of the villages to idetify the field to assist the problem of mental retradation .As there were no previous schemes in Sindhudurg in this line of work, Jeevdan has become the first steptaken by any private or goverment agency to help the mentally chellenged persons.

.To study the real problem of the affected persons and family and to identify the fields to assist the problem of mental retardation, a house to house survey was conducted in and around 10 kms of Zarap Village where the project was being planned in the months of March and April. It identified 48 MR individuals of different age levels, who are not getting any attention and are confined in their homes.

The dream of our study and survey became a reality in the name of jeevdan, a training centre for the mentally challenged, on july 17th 2000 by admitting children to school and the boarding.

By the survey we could find out following reasons for this high level of mental retardation.

	Medical Camp and Awareness programme
	As the next step a medical camp and an awareness programme were conducted on 26th May for these MR persons, their parents and relatives. In it Dr. Krishna Pawekar, Psychiatrist from regional mental hospital Ratnagiri, local doctors, psychologists, social workers and trained special teachers rendered their service. The programme was inaugurated by a mentally handicapped child, lighting the lamp. It was well attended by around 300 people including 52 mentally handicapped persons. Participants earnestly requested the help of Sangli Mission Society to train and rehabilitate this most neglected and abandoned section in the society and put forward following suggestions. Start a training centre and a boarding (the request for boarding came up because the majority of the population live in rural areas and the transportation is a problem) as early as possible. Conduct more awareness programmes for the public. Start rehabilitation centre for the handicapped persons.
Training programme Without trained and dedicated persons it is impossible to train the mentally handicapped. So a teachers training and intiation program for those who like to work in this field was conducted from July 7th to 15th 2000. Twenty persons attended the training programme led by Fr. Thomas C. T. and his team of Madhya Pradesh Vikalanga Sahaya Samathi.