A home for hapless

Rukhiya with a child inmate., Rukhiya, who runs Thanal, with inmates of the home. Faris Arakkal THANAL meaning shade in Malayalam is the name they aptly gave to their shelter home of hundreds of hapless people. In every sense, it's a huge tree where around 218 lives are given shelter. They include orphans, aged, and physically and mentally challenged. The institution near Kalathode is run by VMV Orphanage and Welfare Trust. "The institution started in 1997," says Rukhiya, the manager and in charge of the institution. The institution was once the home of a childless couple Veeravoo and Aisha. They wrote in their will that the house and 27 cents of land adjacent to it should be gifted for the orphans after their death. Their dream came true when another couple, Raheem and Rukhiya, took initiative. Since its inception, the couple has been living for the inmates of the house. Thanal has helped 57 inmates to find their soul mates. Vilasini, an inmate of the home, tied the knot with Kanakaraj at a temple in the city. It was a talk of the town. A lady from Andhra Pradesh found in the goods compartment at the Thrissur railway station was brought here and later she was sent back home. More than 80 students of the institution are being sent to different educational institutions in the city. Also some learn basic lessons in tailoring and computer. Many of them are physically and mentally challenged and so they need extra facilities and care. It has also provided a vehicle for their travel to and from schools. "Employees are here to serve them and not to earn,'' says Rukhiya. Some inmates are also suffering from diseases like fits which require immediate attention. She says it has become difficult to find a right employee for the institution. "I am happy and content here," opines Kalpana, 65, who was brought here as she had nobody to look after. VMV Orphanage and Welfare Trust has no sufficient funds and it needs assistance for growth. Rukhiya was an assistant executive engineer at Indian Telephone Industries. She took voluntary retirement in order to look after the underprivileged children. Her husband PK Raheem is the director of the institution. Inmates call them moothapa and moothumma in respect. "More than food, clothes and shelter, they need love and compassion. We are trying to ensure all these for them,'' Rukhiya adds.