Of Little Hearts & Wishes Fulfilled: #BeatTheVirus Isha Diaries – Part 15

Watching our loved ones go hungry can be one of the most traumatic experiences. When a shed owner of Thennamanallur sought help for 60 children and their families, Isha volunteers reached out to protect them from the pain of hunger & starvation.

Little Hearts

Smiles of contentment lit up the faces of 60 children and their guardians when volunteers reached Thennamanallur. Since the lockdown they have been staying in a large shed near Thennamanallur panchayat office.

The owner of the shed recently requested for volunteers’ assistance in offering cooked food to the little ones and others accompanying them. “The shed owner told us that the occupants of the shed are all from different parts of north India who had come to Thennamanallur for work. The gratitude expressed by the children and their parents was a fulfilling experience for all of us,” said a volunteer.

Bright smiles lit up children’s faces as Isha volunteers greeted them on reaching Mullangkadu. The community’s will to #BeatTheVirus seemed to be reflected in the glee of the children as they took cooked food back home for their families. pic.twitter.com/to8BKNGm8U

— Rally For Rivers - Cauvery Calling (@rallyforrivers) May 7, 2020

Wishes Fulfilled

The experience of Thennamanallur found an echo in Kallimedu where some physically challenged people wait eagerly for the volunteers’ visit every day. One of the physically challenged persons of this village has two children who study in Isha Vidhya school. A volunteer said: “It is our privilege and responsibility to protect people from the pain of hunger & starvation. We make it a point to reach them on time, daily.”

People of Nallurvayalpathi village and Madampatti panchayat also approached volunteers and requested for help. The villagers said that they wanted Isha’s cooked food because it conforms to hygiene standards, is tasty and delivered on time daily. Secretary of the Madampatti panchayat, Cheliyan, said: “The food is awesome. Much gratitude to Isha and its team.”

Kudos from Cop

A sub inspector posted in Puthuppalayam lauded Isha volunteers’ daily field activities. The police officer spoke to the volunteers in Puthuppalayam recently. He commended them on their efforts to prevent the pandemic from entering rural Tamil Nadu by spreading awareness through repeated announcements, distribution of brochures and sticking posters, food and Nilavembu Kashayam distribution.