THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Asraya Voluntary Organisation has grown from a 30-member group to more than 360 members in two decades, disbursing last fiscal Rs 94 lakh in relief, including Rs 25 lakh for educational purpose, to patients and relatives at Regional Cancer Centre. Asraya has been funding the education of 346 students- survivors, the affected and children of cancer victims- across the State at the higher secondary-level.
“But we do not go after people, seeking funds. Most of the aid comes unsolicited from people, who are aware of our work at RCC”, Asraya patron J. Lalithambika told DC. She said that apart from financial help, the presence of volunteers at RCC wards and at homes, catering to needs of the afflicted, was crucial in helping maintain the quality of life.
“Kanjivellam” or warm rice gruel mostly takes a backseat at home.But at RCC, hundreds of patients and relatives queue up for kanjivellam, served by Asraya.
“The salted rice porridge is elixir to chemo patients, whose veins are scorched by the chemical injection. One has to experience the relief it gives to patients”, said Ms Lalithambika.
The motivation for Asraya, run by mainly homemakers and retired women, has been Ms Santa Jose. “I used to accompany my brother to RCC, when I realized the gravity of the disease”, Ms Jose told Snehasangamam, Asraya’s 9th annual meeting of students, who are beneficiaries of the organisation’s rehab (education) scheme, at Cosmopolitan Club, Muttada.
Dr Ramani S. Wesley, professor and head of the department of community oncology, gave away cash awards at the function. “Initially, we started with providing kanjivellam to patients. Later, we understood this was not enough and decided to raise funds, conduct awareness classes and motivate patients,” she added.
Asraya’s rehab scheme is two-pronged–educational and welfare. Under welfare, money is given to set up small business enterprises, tailoring units, grocery, and other income-generating activities. This makes beneficiaries self-reliant. Marriage assistance is also available.
Volunteers of Asraya work at the palliative, chemotherapy and other specialities. Asraya gives books, magazines and toys for children and moral support to families while patients are in hospital.
“It is the bystander who needs more moral support than the patient as he/she has to witness the trauma the patient is going through”, said Ms Santha. Volunteers prepare health mix porridge for patients in palliative ward and help in nasal feeding with diluted health mix. They also demonstrate breathing techniques and massages and exercises to prevent swelling oedema.
“Asraya funds my daughter’s education, and they put money in my bank account every two months and it is a great help for a widow like me,” says Sunitha Kumari, a breast cancer survivor More details at http://www.asraya.org.in/.
