“On August 31st, we found Israr Ji at Gorakhpur Railway Station, chained and locked. It took time and patience to bring him to the center and even longer to help him let go of the chains. Today, he is free, all cleaned up, and slowly finding his way back to life—even lending a hand to others at the centre. Each time we go out looking for these homeless people we come across many such heartbreaking stories,” - Azad Pandey, Smile Home.  

Pandey and his team of dedicated volunteers have been working since 2017 to give hundreds of homeless people a place to call home. They have a temporary shelter home in Gorakhpur where they are tending to the 11+ abandoned souls right now. They’re working tirelessly to give them hope and happiness. 

What does Smile Home want to achieve? 

In a conversation with Donatekart, Azad Pandey opens up about the heartbreaking reality of why so many homeless and mentally ill people end up being abandoned – and what inspires him to help.

“People believe that the elderly should spend their final years on pilgrimages or in holy cities. But many of them suffer from mental illnesses, and when their families can’t afford treatment, they leave them here, hoping strangers will care for them. Sadly, that doesn’t always happen,” Azad shares.

Smile Roti Bank Trust started Smile Home, a unique shelter home and treatment centre, to give these abandoned souls a chance at a better life. It was born from their earlier initiative, Roti Bank, which provided food to children living around railway stations.

At Smile Home, 15 residents—many left wounded and unloved for years—are now getting the care they so badly need. They receive meals twice a day, medical treatment, and post-treatment counselling. The volunteers take the time to bathe them, trim their hair and nails, and dress them in clean clothes—giving them a sense of dignity that has long been lost.

“We not only care for those at our shelter but also feed around 400 homeless people living on the streets every day. It’s our way of making sure no one is forgotten,” says Azad.

Support their cause and save hundreds of lives 

Azad Pandey and his dedicated team need your constant support to continue the work they have been doing for over five years now. They need your help to feed these homeless people nutritious food and give them clothes and other hygiene products. They also need construction materials to build a permanent home where they can accommodate many more in need. Another major requirement is that of an ambulance that will help them bring sick, injured, and abandoned souls to their centre. Your kind contributions can save precious lives.