(Don Bosco College, Sulthan Bathery) – As Kerala state celebrated its state festival of harvest, prosperity, harmony and unity, Onam, Don Bosco College, Sulthan Bathery, and the Development Office of the Salesian Bangalore Province BREADS Bangalore hosted a get-together on September 11 for the people affected by the recent devastating landslides in Wayanad. Around 200 landslide survivors participated in the ‘Njangalum Ningalodopam’ (We are With You as You Move Forward) Onam celebrations.
Fr. Dr. Shajan Noronha, Principal of Don Bosco College, Sulthan Bathery, welcomed the gathering. The teachers and students created positive and joyful moments for the people through performances, party games, and songs. As a poignant expression of hope for the future while dealing with the present difficulties, the participants were trained to make coloured paper planes and push them in the air. The joy and belongingness that the people experienced as they sang songs, shared bittersweet memories about earlier Onam celebrations, watching their children and students dance allowed them a much-needed respite from the cares of their daily existence and stress about the future.
The Principal, Fr. Dr. Shajan, emphasized that Don Bosco College, supported by BREADS, would provide free admission and any extra tuition to students from the affected regions. To this effect, Ms. Archana Anil from Mundakkai was admitted to the Master of Social Work (MSW) programme with free tuition. The DB College team had earlier offered praiseworthy services during the disaster relief work.
An interactive session chaired by Fr. Jenson Variyath with Fr. George PS (Executive Director-BREADS) and Mr. Aneesh Chacko (Secretary & Sub Judge – DLSA Wayanad) allowed people to share their difficulties. Though the Government provided a fixed rental allowance and groceries for the affected people, the people were left to grapple with other issues, such as payment of rent deficits, medical expenditure, or income generation. Most people had been casual laborers in the resorts or estates and were now unemployed. Tradesmen had lost their tools of trade and co-workers and were struggling to cope. Educated unemployed youth and women are also looking for employment opportunities. Fr. George PS agreed to address these issues on a priority basis with his team for rehabilitation.
Major areas of BREADS’ intervention will include:
• Professional psychological support for children and adults.
• Follow-up of entitlements.
• Alternative care for orphaned/abandoned children.
• Capacity-building of teachers for disaster preparedness.
• BREADS will also provide household items and assist in building houses while promoting income generation and employment activities to help people move forward.
The organizers ensured a valuable gift for each person. A traditional sumptuous Onam sadhya (festive meal) filled everyone with renewal, optimism, and hope. Samson said on behalf of the landslide survivors, “This gathering was a refresher, motivating me and my friends to move forward, facing all the ordeals that come our way.” After a month and a half of coping with the disaster on their own, they were finally able to share their joy and gratitude for being alive and the sorrow of their current situations.
Source: Don Bosco South Asia