Their actions speak more than their words. Less talking moredeeds is what they believe in. A group of like-minded people, who joined handsin 2000 to form Kerala Sangamam, is extending a helping hand towards its lessfortunate brethren. This well-knit organisation has set an ideal example of howa little charity can bring about change in society.
Recalling an incident, Lalu Abraham, President of KeralaSangamam tells how Solomon, a young man from Kerala fell off a train whiletravelling from Kerala to Gujarat and lost his limbs. There was no one who couldhelp him in an alien land. “Our team rushed to the spot and admitted him in ahospital in Goa. Later, we provided him an artificial limb and a wheel chairand deposited an amount of Rs one lakh in his wife’s account.”
In another incident Roy Sebastian was found on a street inPanjim in a very critical state. He could speak only Malalyalam and nobodyunderstood what he said. Someone sent a word and the team immediately locatedhim, had him hospitalised and tried to reach his family members.
“Nobody came forward. We advertised in local newspapers andTV channels in Kerala. That helped us in receiving a message from his 85 yearold mother in Kerala who did not know his whereabouts for the last 35 years.The family had given up hope of hearing from him thinking he was no more. Theycame to Goa after our initiative. It was a tearful but joyful reunion. Roy’shealth gradually improved and he accompanied his family back to Kerala. We boreall their expenses during their stay,” Lalu narrates. These are only handful ofthe hundreds of experiences that Lalu’s team keeps witnessing.
“Our founder, the late George Joseph, may no longer be withus physically, but it is his spirit of devotion and dedication that reminds usof our goal,” says Lalu, who admits that the journey has been long andfulfilling. Today there exist two branches Kerala Sangamam that boast 650members. These members in turn shell out 10 per cent of their monthly incometowards the medical fund ‘Jeeva Karunya Nidhi’ that aids in the medical treatmentof whoever is in need of it. They also have a tie up with the Human WelfareAssociation of India. From sending the mortal remains of victims of accidentaldeaths in Goa to their native places in Kerala, to the cremation of unattendedbodies, Kerala Sangamam silently does it all.
In recent times, the Sangamam has been offering palliativecare for people with terminal illnesses. The goal is to improve quality of lifefor both the patient and the family. Joining hands with NRHM (National RuralHealth Mission) project in palliative care, Kerala Sangamam extends thesespecial facilities to patients in need.
The Malayalee community that first set foot in Goa way backin 1962, to serve the land as professionals, teachers, engineers and medicalfraternity, has long since adopted Goa as their second home. It stands tall asa united, strong and close knit community that takes pleasure in adding apurpose and a meaning to life.
