Resurgent spirit

When the whole of the nation went into lockdown more than a month ago, Rajammal walled herself off in her home. Living alone in Pachapalayam village in the Coimbatore district, the ailing elderly woman neither had access to medicines and adequate food, nor was she able to fend for herself. But she found tremendous resilience and bravery in the face of challenges due to the pandemic.

For weeks, she suffered silently and did not lose hope. But after she was able to apprise of her troubles to our volunteers, they made efforts to ensure her wishes were fulfilled – be it picking up medicines or providing her with daily essentials and food supplies. Tales of older people like Rajammal who are demonstrating mental toughness amid the pandemic resonate across the village and nearby areas.

In Narasipuram, Rangaswamy too faced a similar plight but knew he had to draw on his inner strength to cope with the difficulties. He too takes comfort in the presence of volunteers and has come to depend on our services.

But for elders in rural communities, retirement is not a word in their vocabulary – many elders continue to work and make a living as long as they physically can. This pandemic has taken that opportunity away from them. But people are coming together to make sure that the pandemic has limited impact on lives around them.

Tasty food

For the people of Madhvarayapuram, a wholesome meal served in a time of crisis is more than just a plate of food – it is a sign that they are cared for and not alone in the battle to #BeatTheVirus. Months into the lockdown, the locals of the village can count on our volunteers for delicious, hot meals and friendly conversations.

Many of the village’s women even said the food has not lost its quality, taste or nutritional value since the beginning of the lockdown.