By Atma Tattva Das,
On November 25, 2025, devotees gathered at ISKCON Midrand for the opening of a facility that many described as long overdue. The new End of Life Care Room, developed by Devotee Care South Africa under the regional leadership of Jayananda Das, marks a turning point in how the South African devotee community supports its members in their final days.
The vision did not appear suddenly. It began almost a decade ago, when a devotee care workshop in 2019 inspired Jayananda and others to think more seriously about structured care for devotees nearing the end of life. “It touched our hearts,” he recalled. “We felt the need to be loved and to love. If the Lord comes for His devotees, then we should assist Him by helping the ones He loves.”
For Jayananda, this service carries deep personal meaning. After joining ISKCON in 1978, he served in many areas of the movement across South Africa and helped establish various programs, temples, and festivals. Yet this initiative has moved him in a different direction. “I see people happy. I see people appreciate what you do,” he said. “When we make devotees, so much effort goes in. We cannot lose them at the end when they need us most.”
Read more: https://iskconnews.org/end-of-life-care-comes-to-iskcon-midrand-temple-grounds/
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