Kanjirappuzha: When compassion takes the shape of action, even a bowl of sweet palada payasam can help build a home. 

Students of Government Higher Secondary School, Pottassery, proved this true by organising a Palada Payasam Challenge to support their homeless schoolmates. And their initiative struck a chord with the community with kind-hearted people buying as much as 3,250 litres of the sweet dessert in just two days, helping the students raise ₹3 lakh.

The fundraising initiative was part of the Koodorukkal Scheme, a housing project under which the children in the school are constructing their sixth home. The initiative was organised under the aegis of the Student Police Cadet, NSS, Scout, and Guide units of the Government Higher Secondary School, Pottassery. The new house is being built for two students of the school who lost their father.

Before launching the fund collection drive, the students visited houses and establishments in the region to collect advance orders and later distributed the dessert accordingly. The amount raised this time will be used for constructing the walls of the house.

Last month, the students had already mobilised ₹1 lakh through a Scrap Challenge, which helped them complete the foundation work of the house.

The initiative is being led by School Principal Santosh Kumar, PTA President K Jayaraj, Headmistress Sajiha Beegum, and Project Committee Convener Michael Joseph, along with committee members Divya Achuthan, S Sanal Kumar, Manju P Joy, and H Anees. Teachers K C Murugan, O S Aneesha, and V M Vijayalakshmi, along with student leaders Ayana Babu, Lakshmi Nanda, N Shwetha, Sooraj Krishna, Anagha Krishna, Sneha Subins, and M S Nidhin, are also actively involved in the effort.

The team hopes that generous contributions from well-wishers will help them complete the construction soon.