Mangaluru: Snehalaya Charitable Trust has set another milestone by showing what “humanity” really means in true action by providing housing for the needy.
During the COVID 19 lockdown, Snehalaya’s volunteer teams started visiting the needy & the poor at remote places across DK district and reached out to them in their difficulties. More than 1000 such families were directly interacted, helped, supported, and assessed the ground realities.
One such family was introduced to Snehalaya by the ward head Mr. Jerald Moras, who is also the parish secretary of Sacred Heart Church Madanthyar. The unit head of Snehalaya at Madanthyar, Santosh DSouza, plunged into action as the situation of the family was pathetic.
A teenage daughter with absolutely no support from anybody, without a decent house to live, helpless parents, with her dad highly diabetic, having gangrene on his foot was literally in tears when the Snehalaya team visited. The house roof was about to collapse, covered with cheap plastic was threatening the lives of the residents.
Mr. Leo D Cunha the beneficiary had obtained a bank loan of Rs. 5.00 lakhs and a house structure were raised. Difficulties struck him very hard. He could not complete the building. The estimated cost assessed by team Snehalaya was Rs. 3.50 lakhs to complete the work and they took up the responsibility to provide a decent home for them.
An appeal to all well-wishers to support did not go in vain. There was a tremendously positive response and on April 3rd, 2020 the half-constructed work was resumed and within exactly 30 days the house was completed under the leadership of Mr. Santhosh, a civil engineer by Profession and the unit head of Snehalaya at Madanthyar.
On 10th June 2020, there is a reason for all of us to smile as Snehalaya handed over the house to the family of Mr. Leo D Cunha.
The people-friendly, role model police officer Madam Sowmya, sub-inspector of Police at Poonjalkatte police station, inaugurated the House sharp at 10.00 am. Janab Abdul Razak, the high priest of Noorul Huda Jama Masjid, Madanthyar unveiled the name board of the house. It was a pleasant surprise to the gathering that the house was named as SNEHALAYA by the beneficiary.
They said it was respectful gratitude to all donors that’s is why they have named it so.
Rev. Fr. Stany Pinto, the Asst, Parish Priest of Sacred Heart Church Madanthyar, blessed the newly built house with a lovely message.
The founder of Snehalaya Mr. Joseph Crasta presented the reasons for reaching out to the needy amidst all challenges. The Snehalaya team found that this is the mission we are called for and if we cannot reach out we do not love the Almighty as all are children of God.
Madam Sowmya, the Sub-inspector of Police gave a fantastic message that a home is a divine place where love, understanding, comfort, and at home alone rest is assured. Identifying the needy and helping them in time has spelled out the true meaning of Humanity. Today people are self-centric but we all have a responsibility to better the society and Snehalaya has given a start to this great thoughtful mission. Congratulations to the team and wish them to undertake more projects of this kind. She also tipped the family to make a lively atmosphere in a love-filled home i.e. Snehalaya.
Janab Abdul Razak appreciated the deep concern Snehalaya showed to the least and the needy. All religions promote only love and to attend the needs of the neighborhood. He was extremely happy to know about Snehalaya, their discipline in work, and applauded the service rendered to the society. He fully endorsed the message given by the police officer. They also underlined how Snehalaya lives all religions by inviting guests of all religions on one platform.
Rev. Fr. Stany Pinto said God works wonders through different people and today a house has turned into a home of love, a beautiful place to live for a family through the efforts of Snehalaya. Their work culture, concern to the needy, and completion of their projects in time speak of their professionalism. He congratulated the stakeholders and invoked God’s blessings.
Joseph Crasta handed over a token of remembrance to the beneficiary inscribed with beautiful words “There is a reason to smile, a home by Snehalaya”.
Ms. Melita D Cunha, the daughter, proposed the vote of thanks. While she was to the point, each of her words expressed the emotions of the family. There were tears in almost everyone’s eyes as she spoke. She expressed what humiliation she had undergone before Snehalaya made their entry. She assured that she will pay back to society much more when she earns as she has seen the difficulties. She thanked Snehalaya, the team who were instrumental in materializing her dream of having a sweet home. She thanked all donors, and well-wishers who have provided support in this mission.
The trustees of Snehalaya, family members of Leo D Cunha, the Madanthyar unit members of Snehalaya enhanced the celebration by their presence.
Mr. Geo D Silva, the head of Snehalaya’s social outreach program, welcomed the gathering, presenting the keynote and compered the program in his uniquely entertaining style.
The program ended with a tea party restricting the guests to 30 members only.
Snehalaya expressed their deep gratitude to all donors for their support. The project estimated cost was 3.50 lakhs and it was completed in a remarkably short time span at a cost of Rs. 3.59 lakhs.
