KOZHIKODE: The lack of essential amenities is preventing the night shelter home in Kozhikode for destitute women from growing into a full-fledged facility. Though the home named ‘Ente Koodu’ can accommodate 50 women at a time, it does not provide drinking water and food. Currently, the water supply to the home has also stopped, and the inmates, as well as the employees, are suffering.
The shelter was set up on June 29, 2015, and accommodated 673 helpless women to date. It has a suitable location, close to the Kasaba police station in Puthiyara, and the building is also safe and secure. However, the absence of even proper drinking water is creating trouble for the inmates as well as the staff.
However, Kozhikode district social justice officer T.P. Saramma said that the home was not arranging food inside since they were not sure of the number of inmates.
“Once there are nearly 15 or 20 people at a time, we can prepare and provide them with food. Now, for the last three days, there were no inmates and the staff are also new,” Ms Saramma said. However, she added, there were facilities for water in the compound, and if something goes out of order, the staff can repair them and get the money repaid later.
“People come in the odd hours, and it is not always possible to arrange them food. Instead, for the ones leaving in the morning, we provide coupon of Operation Sulaimani, so that they have food from some hotels for free,” the social justice officer said. The destitute women, who find it difficult to travel back during late hours and unable to afford hotels, reach here.
Some others found wandering with children in railway stations and bus stand are also taken here by police or auto-rickshaw drivers. The home has a house master cum social worker, who is also the counsellor and a multi-task worker. Kudumbasree members are doing the cleaning works. ‘Ente Koodu’ provides housing from 5 pm to 7 am.
