Story of Nazz Rest Home Up to Now
See also https://www.facebook.com/HomeOfTheElders
The idea of a home for the elderly was, for many years, a dream for Lesley and me (Badi Shams). Still, it became a possibility during my visit to India, where I discovered the need for a safe place for the underprivileged elderly. After we had experienced great difficulties and visited many places around Jaipur, destiny guided us to the village of Chabrana, where we met Mr. Bajrang Meena.
From the day we met him and his family, we have been supported and helped to resolve every obstacle that has hindered the dream of bringing Nazz Rest Home (named after my mother, Nazz Bibi) closer to reality.
He rescued us from others who were charging too much for their land. He has been the key person in managing the land, the construction, the purchase and planting of trees, and setting up an irrigation system. He has supervised the hiring and payment of contractors, and now he has been instrumental in suggesting the road that will soon connect Nazz Rest Home to a main road. His whole family of sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren have worked on the land constantly to fulfill every dream of Nazz Rest Home. The whole village has adopted the project because they know it is for their benefit. People there did not think they could grow fruit in that desert region and now they will enjoy the fruit when harvested.
Nazz Bibi
Now, to provide a more detailed account of the events leading up to now. When we bought the land, crops were growing there every year. When the first crop was harvested, Bajrang approached us with the money earned from its sale and asked what we should do with it. We thought of giving it to the school. But he had a better idea. He suggested that we create backpacks with the logo of Nazz Rest Home on them, full of school supplies, to be given out to each student (from several villages) on Republic Day, January 26, when the politicians and parents would be at the school to celebrate the day. On that day, formal presentations were made, including a talk about the Baha’i Faith, and each student came forward to receive their backpacks. This was a momentous step in introducing Nazz Rest Home to Chabrana and the neighbouring villages before any construction had even begun.
One of the first things that needed attention on the land was reinforcing the fences to prevent the wild cows from entering. Then came the challenge of getting electricity to the land, and we were told that it would take two years. However, once the government recognized the purpose of Nazz Rest Home for the elderly of all backgrounds, it was done in two weeks, with eight hydro poles on the land. A deep well was also dug. Then, it was time to build a temporary structure that could be adequate for someone to be there as necessary. A gate that could be secured was added.
The vision of beautiful gardens for the residents and visitors was fulfilled with the purchase of 600 flowering and fruit trees and bougainvillea to line the fence. And thanks to a plentiful supply of water from the well and an effective irrigation system, they are thriving.
The small building has been transformed into an excellent unit with concrete and rebar. It can now be used for residents or meetings and events because there is a large and smaller private area for guests, a kitchen and a bathroom. A new roof with a staircase has been added and can also be used.
Phase 1 of planting and construction is now complete. Phase 2 will consist of the construction of the Nazz Rest home, which will have 25 rooms as a beginning. There are many challenges ahead – deciding on a suitable structure for the building, the actual construction of the building to suit the elderly and the extension of garden areas.