Kochi: They have named it ‘lunch challenge’. The students of St Philomena’s School, Elanji find joy in visiting the 65 inmates of ‘Mariyalayam’, a home for mentally challenged at Ponkutty, near Piravom, evry Tuesday to give them mid-day meal packets.
The students have been doing it for the past three years. They visit the home with the intention of making their presence as a soothing balm to break the monotony of their dismal life in oblivion.
They chat with them to rejuvenate, resuscitate and boost their morale. They also hold variety entertainments to amuse them. “When we dance some of the inmates also join us to sing and dance. We are happy to make them happy,” said George Thomas, a student of the school.
School principal Fr John George Erniakulathil who is the patron of the initiative and its co-ordinator Ms Kochu Treesa John are all praise for the children for their keenness to participate and contribute by bringing lunch packets from their homes.
“Children keenly listen to the old people when they narrate their predicament, perils in life, melancholy and agony in different phases in life. Thus the children are able to realize odd realities of human life and its stark contrast with their life. They empathize with the grown-ups. In fact the old people are seen anxiously waiting for the visit of the students the very next week,” said Fr John Erniakulathil. The students who take lead the initiative include Anna Joji , Liya Ann Biju , George Thomas , Joji J Panckal , Rohan Shamsu, Chacko Shibu and Sivani Sanil .
