Life doesn't go as planned and tragedies can derail even the lives of well-settled ones. Timely support may help significantly to put disturbed lives back on track. The endosulfan poisoning of residents of 15 villages in Kasaragod district had brought untold miseries to a generation. Several people were affected with hereditary diseases and cancers of all forms. Malayala Manorama's Nalla Paadam in collaboration with Kudumbashree in Kasaragod has taken a far-reaching step for the uplift of the affected families which had so far lost hopes about life. Under its 'Snehathanal' job rehabilitation plan several mothers of Endosulfan-affected children are being helped to make cloth bags and umbrellas so that they can earn their living.
Two livelihood centres have been setup at Neeleswaram and Enmakaje in the district, which had come to limelight nationally and even globally a decade back when the plight of Endosulfan-affected people became public.
'Ee Pookkalum Viriyatte' (Let these flowers also bloom) project for the rehabilitation of Endosulfan misery-affected children was earlier done by Malayala Manorama. The media grpup decided to start a new one realising the agony of the mothers in the district.
The children with deformities are never-ending agony for the mothers. Yet they reach the Snehathanal centres in the morning itself after leaving them at the 'BUDS' Schools. They keep working throughout the day, exchanging pleasantries and trying to melt away some of their grief.
The livelihood centres are located near the BUDS Schools, which would enable them to make a livelihood while waiting for their children outside their schools. Nearly 40 mothers work in the two centres. Most of them have become experts in umbrella-making within a short time. They first made 1,000 umbrellas for the Kerala State Financial Enterprises. The mothers are making umbrellas for children, besides two-fold and three-fold, in different varieties and colours.
They are also ready to make umbrellas using new technology and deserve an A+ for the making of high-quality cotton bag.
The smile is back
All the mothers agree that they are at Snehathanal to get over their pain rather than making money. They used to get suffocated by isolation within the four walls of their houses. They share their agonies as they work, and find solutions among themselves. The mothers have recovered the smile and laughter they had lost long ago. They have returned to what they had thought was impossible: travelling alone, talking freely and having food happily. They have also learned to market umbrellas and bags by themselves. However, they need better orders to raise their own investment. The rains now bring hope and joy for them.
Manorama met a few mothers working in these centres and listened to their life stories. Here's what they have to say:
Sugandhi
My daughter Anagha is 15 years old. Her neck hasn't settled, but she draws pictures and has a good memory. I can read on her face the joy on knowing that I am employed here. My heart fills up when I see her returning home with a small pack of food.
Rema Thampan
We are all equally sad. We share our joy and noon meals too here. My elder daughter Roshni is happy at Buds School. The smile that I regained has changed her.
Radhamani
There was a time when I couldn't go anywhere. I cried often. My Dhanyamol is 26, but her intellect is only of a 12-year-old. I couldn't even celebrate her birthday. Today I don't weep, I have gained the courage to face anything boldly.
Saraswathi
I am the senior-most here. My daughter Savita and grandson Sudheesh are my concern. But my sorrow melts away once I am here. We are all like LKG kids, laughing and playing.
Read: On a Roll
