The Home
of Light
Since 2016, our 200 year old heritage Goan house in Socorro Porvorim, Goa, has been a place of welcome, acceptance, and belonging. What began with one member, ten years ago has grown into a thriving intentional community where adults with and without intellectual disabilities live, work, and grow together. As equals. As a family.
We are a project of Caritas Goa (caritasgoa.org) since 2016, working toward a society rooted in equality, justice, and fraternity. Our foundational approach comes from our partners at L'Arche International (larche.org & larchefmrindia.org), a global federation of communities founded by Jean Vanier in 1964. His approach and conviction led to an awakening, to a change in how people with intellectual disabilities are allowed to integrate and live harmoniously in society.
Divya Sadan is decidedly secular. We welcome people of all faiths as equal human beings. We celebrate all festivals. Diwali, Christmas, Eid, Ganesh Chaturthi, and every occasion that brings our community together. No matter where you come from, what matters is that you are here.
Our Mission
We create a place of welcome, acceptance, belonging & equality for people with and without intellectual disabilities.
We uncover, celebrate, and make known the unique gifts of every person.
We grow through work, responsibility, and learning. In community with one another.
Our Story
We started out as a seed planted by Edna Souza Miranda who reached out to Prashant Lazarus. They approached Caritas Goa to have a space to introduce the L’Arche way in Goa. L’Arche India got very involved as well. Two years of brainstorming and searching brought about Divya Sadan as the home it is today. Ellwyn D’Souza, our founding Core Member moved in on November 1, 2016, making Divya Sadan his home. We are now a small community of adults with varying abilities, growing slowly with a strong foundation. As a collective, we breathe life into this unique and dignified approach to shared living with respect and love.
Life at Divya Sadan
Visit Divya Sadan
The best way to understand us is to witness it. Come spend time with our community, share a meal, see the workshop in action. Visit us between 9:30 am and 5:30 pm. We have a packed programme for residents, so please call us two days in advance to schedule a visit.
Get Involved
There are many ways to walk with us. Whether you are looking for community for a loved one, wanting to volunteer your time, or considering life as a Assistant. The door is open.
Our Programs at a Glance
- Residential Program: Our yellow house on the hill is home to adults with varying abilities.
- Work Program People with intellectual disabilities develop skills and independence at our workshops.
- Live-in Assistants. We offer the opportunity for you to create and nurture a space of belonging.
A Community Working Together
Work is a big part of our days. Celebration is bigger still. This page is a living record of what our community has been up to. The making, the growing, the celebrating.
Our Residential Program
Divya Sadan's Residential Program is an opportunity for adults with intellectual disabilities to live in community, with dignity and respect. Core Members, adults with intellectual disabilities, and Assistants, those without, live, learn, and grow together.
There is a process we follow to integrate new Core Members into the community that is now time tested. We take the responsibility of understanding the abilities and limitations of individuals we take in seriously. Assistants offer support with daily tasks. Eating, bathing, dressing, as needed. These partnerships help us recognise and celebrate each resident's unique personality, interests, and talents. Assistants are persons above 18 years of age, having finished high school or young professionals wanting to explore intentional community living in the context of assisting and serving.
Adults with intellectual disabilities, over 18 years of age are eligible. Potential new Core Members are invited to be part of our day work program first while we asses Divya Sadan’s suitability as a long term residential space for them.
Learn More About Becoming a Residential Core Member
Our Work Program
Work gives dignity and purpose. It fosters confidence and teaches responsibility. On Weekdays, we encourage non-resident members to engage with our work programs enabling autonomous experience. Our workshop gives members space to learn practical skills and create products for sale.
What we do:
- Art, painting
- Candle making, beeswax, soy in coconut shells, paper craft, etc.
- Gardening, growing veggies
- Baking and food processing, jams, pickles, seasonal goods
- Weaving, doormats, pot holders, weaving art
Every product sold generates income for the members involved in the making of it. When you buy from Divya Sadan, you support a livelihood.
“I like to work, so boring without work, no work no salary. I like to buy things with my salary.”
— Maria
Work With Us
As a live-in Assistant, you nurture a space of belonging for adults with intellectual disabilities. You support Core Members with personal care, goals, and growth. And in return, you receive friendship, life skills, and opportunities for personal transformation.
This is a job for individuals hoping to transition to the social services sector, or anyone seeking a year of meaningful, transformative community living.
We are looking for individuals above 18 willing to be transformed by our unique way of life. Willing to work hard and share multiple aspects of life with co residents. Support Core Members with personal hygiene, meals, cleaning, gardening, workshops, exercise, medication, and other daily needs. Using person centred approaches. No two days are the same.
What matters here is Empathy, Compassion, and a willingness to work hard.
Commitment: Minimum one year. Stipend, shared accommodation, meals and perks provided.
Apply to Work with Us
In time we are hoping this will evolve into a learning fellowship to include professionals in the sector, seeking to learn from this unique way of life. We would like to assert that therapy is in the form of engaging in the everyday tasks of running a home together, cleaning, gardening together or such co-living behaviours. And that our members are not test subjects for information or therapy.
Volunteer
Spend a morning with us. Lend a hand at our next fundraiser. Assist with renovations or house maintenance. Help us process our garden produce. Lead a session in music, dance, or a craft. There are as many ways to volunteer as there are volunteers. Tell us how you would like to help, and we will take it from there.
Email: getinvolved@divyasadan.org
Share Your Skills
Our Work Program is always looking for talented individuals to facilitate skill development. Visual artists, gardeners, craftspeople. We welcome expertise in candle making, food processing, weaving, or any creative skill that gives our members pride, achievement, and income.
Time commitment: 2—4 hours a day, 1 to 5 days a week.
Email: getinvolved@divyasadan.org
Your generosity enables us to sustain and grow our inclusive space. Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference.
Email: give@divyasadan.org
Sponsor A Member
Support one Core Member directly. Their care, their programmes, their daily life.
Sponsor A Programme
Choose what moves you. The garden project, the crafts workshop, music and dance, or another initiative.
Donate
The demand for residential and day programs for adults with intellectual disabilities is high. The supply, not so much. Help us plug the gap. Every contribution helps us build and enhance infrastructure and services. Your donations will cover Food, household items, utilities, medical needs, repairs, stationery, salaries, workshop materials, and more.
To donate, email us and we will guide you through the process.
Email: give@divyasadan.org
* Donations are eligible for tax exemption under Section 80G(5)(i) of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
Partner With Us
Our products make excellent additions to Diwali and Christmas corporate hampers. Write to us for bulk orders. Business owner? Corporate employee? Your support matters.
Email: getinvolved@divyasadan.org
Ways to Partner:
- Meet your CSR goals. In 2025, a CSR grant covered some of our expenses for severely required renovations. Earlier, a grant covered our work programmes for a whole year. Your company could do the same.
- Organise a fundraiser. Host a giving day on your campus or come visit us!
- Invite us to speak. Our team can share our story at your next event.
- Donation matching. Ask your company to match your personal donation.
Buy What We Make
Every candle, painting, doormat, diya, and jar of pickle or jam is made by a member of Divya Sadan. Buying a product is one of the most dignified ways to give. It turns your support into someone's earned income, not a handout. Proceeds from the sales go toward a monthly income for our members with disabilities. Unlike other approaches to disability, we encourage members to learn value and autonomy in the real world.
Order via Email: shop@divyasadan.org
Made by Divya Sadan:
- Handmade candles, beeswax, soy, gel, in coconut shells, glass, seasonal designs
- Doormats and woven goods
- Diyas and festive décor
- Pickles, jams, and seasonal preserves
Donate in Kind
Ours is a proper home. Household supplies, workshop materials, and home maintenance items are always welcome. Use our wishlist to guide your donation: [Link to Amazon or other wishlist]
Email: give@divyasadan.org