Despite Battling Rare Condition, This Trans Woman Is Working Tirelessly To Support The Elderly

Nakshatra overcame various obstacles from a very young age 

Nakshatra’s parents couldn’t come to terms with her reality. They struggled to accept that their only ‘son’ didn’t identify as male and asked her to leave her home in Gulbarga. She was only 15 then. 

“I then went to Bangalore, without knowing anyone in the big city. I spent two months sleeping on the footpaths, eating food that’s been thrown away, taking shelter under cardboard boxes...I’ve seen it all. I know what it feels like to have no family, home, security, or even a handful of rice. I would never wish this on anyone.” 

But she didn’t lose hope. She joined the trans community and started begging on the streets of Bangalore for a living. But a determined and iron-willed Nakshatra wanted more for herself. She even completed her mechanical engineering and started volunteering for Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the administrative body responsible for civic amenities and infrastructure in the city. And once she was able to stand on her own feet Nakshatra started Nammane Summane - an NGO helping the homeless.

The NGO is a shelter for persons living with senior citizens, HIV, persons living with disabilities, people from the LGBTQIA community, and anyone else in need. Nakshatra, along with four other trans women - Milana, Reshma, Soundarya, and Tanushree - looks after 110 abandoned elderly and children today.   

Her rare condition diagnosis hasn’t slowed her down. Nakshatra still dreams of a day when she will be able to build a safe home for 1000 elderlies and give them a happy life. Estranged from her own parents at a very young age, she finds solace in helping all those who have no one in their lives. The senior citizens living with her are like her own parents.

Now things have taken a turn for the worse, you can help them in this hour of need 

“I have been abandoned by my own family - I don’t want anyone else to go through the same. I haven’t thought twice before spending my savings on these people in need, I am all they’ve got! The pandemic was difficult and while we were slowly recovering from the situation, my health started failing. With my regular hospital check-ups, - it is getting very difficult to feed and look after the residents. The senior citizens need a special diet and round the clock care. I don’t want to give up, will you help me?”  

Nammane Summane is a safe home for everyone in need and Nakshatra dreams of reaching out to thousands of elderlies in need. She wishes to feed them nutritious food and give them a roof over their heads - you can donate groceries and construction materials to help her in this hour of need. You can join her on this mission to give the homeless and orphaned a better life. 

About the NGO: Started in 2020 by Nakshatra, a trans woman, Nammane Summane is an NGO that shelters inter s*x persons, orphans, Transpersons,  LGBTQIA+ individuals, persons living with HIV, persons living with disabilities, senior citizens, and anyone else in need. Here, all their needs are taken care of. They currently have 40 residents, which includes senior citizens, orphaned children, people with mental disabilities, and more.