more-in By profession, each one of them is different. What binds the 25-member women’s collective in Manassery village together is their zeal for doing something worthwhile for the underprivileged every time a national or international day is observed. For three years, they have been doing it silently, mobilising around ?8 lakh for various interventions. “Such days are usually observed by holding meetings. We just want to do something for the poor on such occasions and have launched around 25 projects for the purpose,” says Bindhu Jayakumar, who heads the group. Under the scheme Kootukoodan Pusthaka Changathi, they volunteered to distribute free textbooks to differently abled children and help them set up home libraries. That was the first initiative, launched on a Children’s Day. Mini Sibi, a group member, recalls that the children’s warm response prompted the group to observe each ‘day’ in a meaningful manner. Some interventions included supply of oxygen cylinders to palliative care units, water purifiers for the destitute, free electrification support for tribal homes, Vishukaineettam for the poor, distribution of toys to autistic children, and hair donation to support cancer patients. All such steps were taken using the funds collected from local sponsors. “Our biggest project was the renovation of a tribal house. We mobilised around ?2 lakh for the cause, and the key was handed over to the beneficiary as part of the Women’s Day observance,” says Dhanya Jose, another office-bearer of the group. World AIDS Day, World Health Day, and World Environmental Day are marked by such contributions, she adds. The latest projects of the collective include the construction of a waiting shelter at Manassery and a comfort station for women. The projects are expected to cost around ?3 lakh and are likely to be dedicated as an Onam gift to the local community. “The sponsors are very cooperative, as we are all members of the Junior Chamber International’s Camelia group in the region, which supports our initiatives,” they add.

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