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News18
a day ago
- General
- News18
A year on from Wayanad landslide, young survivors begin life anew
Agency: Wayanad (Kerala), Jul 29 (PTI) A year ago, a landslide tore through scenic Mundakkai-Chooralmala villages of Kerala's Wayanad district, taking homes, families and their future in seconds. Among those left behind was a 15-year-old boy who lost both his parents. 'I know everything now," he said. 'Many people we have never met have prayed for us and helped us. The government has stood by us. I want to tell them we are fine, and that we are grateful. What we lost will never come back– but we are dreaming of a new life," the boy said. July 30 marks the first anniversary of the Mundakkai–Chooralmala disaster. Survivors — especially children — are slowly finding their footing again. New houses are being built, schools have welcomed them back, and, with help from relatives, the state and strangers, life is starting to take shape once more. In the rehabilitation township at Kalpetta Elston Estate, they are weaving new hopes with new homes and a fresh start in life. In the disaster, seven children lost both their mother and father overnight. Two of them were only a few months away from turning 18 at the time. They have now reached adulthood. The remaining five children have been under the Kinship Foster Care scheme for a year, staying with close relatives. According to officials from the Wayanad District Child Protection Unit, who speak to them over the phone every week and visit them in person every month, all five are doing well. 'All five of them are doing well. They are between 5 and 16 years old, and all of them attend school. They are living with close relatives such as uncles, aunts, or similar family members. Not yet being old enough to fully grasp the extent of the loss caused by the disaster has, in a way, been a blessing for them. They have adapted fairly quickly," said Wayanad District Child Protection Officer Karthika Anna Thomas. Three of the five are girls. The youngest among them, a five-year-old girl, found joy in her relative's home after her mother's sister recently gave birth. Immersed in the baby's gaze, smile, and sounds, she has managed to overcome her sorrow. Another eight-year-old girl lives in a relative's home with three other children, whose playful chatter and laughter have brought colour back into her life. Among the two who reached adulthood, the entire cost of one student's degree education is being borne by the management of Don Bosco College, Sultan Bathery. The other is studying in Class 11 in Kozhikode district. Having dropped out earlier, the student resumed studies after the disaster. Except for this student, all others remain in Wayanad. The landslide also claimed the lives of the fathers of 11 more children and the mothers of three others. Those who lost their fathers now live with their mothers, and those who lost their mothers live with their fathers– including a two-month-old baby who lost her father. Among these 14 children, two are from Tamil Nadu. The Child Protection Unit continues to closely monitor their mental health, recreation, education, and extracurricular activities. 'Special instructions have been given to the counsellors in the schools these children attend. However, outreach workers from the District Child Protection Unit note that during special occasions such as birthdays, Vishu, and Eid, the children often feel sorrow as they remember their lost parents," an official release said here on Tuesday. The most difficult task was telling the children about the disaster. Relatives say the hardest part was breaking the news no child ever wants to hear –that their mother and father are no longer in this world. 'The child was in the hospital after being injured in the disaster. Months later, when she was discharged and brought to my home, she asked why she wasn't going back to her own house. She asked where her father, mother, and younger brother were. Not knowing how to tell her that they had died, I broke down and cried," recalled one relative. Many sought the help of the Child Protection Department to convey the news. Following the department's guidance, they gradually told the children each part of the truth. 'First, we told the child that their house had been washed away in the landslide. Weeks later, we mentioned that neighbours had been swept away too. Only after the child slowly adjusted to that reality did we tell her about her mother. By then, she had begun interacting with other children in the household and was slowly returning to happiness," explained another relative. For many of the children, new homes are being built in the state government's rehabilitation township. Some children, for whom other organisations have assured houses, have received Rs 15 lakh promised by the state government. The government has also provided financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh to those who lost both parents, and Rs 5 lakh to those who lost one parent. This amount has been placed in a fixed deposit in a joint account under the names of the child and the District Child Protection Officer, and they receive the interest from it. Nineteen children are receiving Rs 4,000 per month under the Central Government's sponsorship scheme. In addition, six children who lost both parents have received a total of Rs 31.24 lakh from private organisations and individuals, channeled through the state government. PTI COR TGB TGB KH (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: July 29, 2025, 18:00 IST News agency-feeds A year on from Wayanad landslide, young survivors begin life anew Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. 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Hindustan Times
a day ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
A year on from Wayanad landslide, young survivors begin life anew
Wayanad , A year ago, a landslide tore through scenic Mundakkai-Chooralmala villages of Kerala's Wayanad district, taking homes, families and their future in seconds. A year on from Wayanad landslide, young survivors begin life anew Among those left behind was a 15-year-old boy who lost both his parents. "I know everything now," he said. "Many people we have never met have prayed for us and helped us. The government has stood by us. I want to tell them we are fine, and that we are grateful. What we lost will never come back but we are dreaming of a new life," the boy said. July 30 marks the first anniversary of the Mundakkai–Chooralmala disaster. Survivors especially children are slowly finding their footing again. New houses are being built, schools have welcomed them back, and, with help from relatives, the state and strangers, life is starting to take shape once more. In the rehabilitation township at Kalpetta Elston Estate, they are weaving new hopes with new homes and a fresh start in life. In the disaster, seven children lost both their mother and father overnight. Two of them were only a few months away from turning 18 at the time. They have now reached adulthood. The remaining five children have been under the Kinship Foster Care scheme for a year, staying with close relatives. According to officials from the Wayanad District Child Protection Unit, who speak to them over the phone every week and visit them in person every month, all five are doing well. "All five of them are doing well. They are between 5 and 16 years old, and all of them attend school. They are living with close relatives such as uncles, aunts, or similar family members. Not yet being old enough to fully grasp the extent of the loss caused by the disaster has, in a way, been a blessing for them. They have adapted fairly quickly," said Wayanad District Child Protection Officer Karthika Anna Thomas. Three of the five are girls. The youngest among them, a five-year-old girl, found joy in her relative's home after her mother's sister recently gave birth. Immersed in the baby's gaze, smile, and sounds, she has managed to overcome her sorrow. Another eight-year-old girl lives in a relative's home with three other children, whose playful chatter and laughter have brought colour back into her life. Among the two who reached adulthood, the entire cost of one student's degree education is being borne by the management of Don Bosco College, Sultan Bathery. The other is studying in Class 11 in Kozhikode district. Having dropped out earlier, the student resumed studies after the disaster. Except for this student, all others remain in Wayanad. The landslide also claimed the lives of the fathers of 11 more children and the mothers of three others. Those who lost their fathers now live with their mothers, and those who lost their mothers live with their fathers including a two-month-old baby who lost her father. Among these 14 children, two are from Tamil Nadu. The Child Protection Unit continues to closely monitor their mental health, recreation, education, and extracurricular activities. "Special instructions have been given to the counsellors in the schools these children attend. However, outreach workers from the District Child Protection Unit note that during special occasions such as birthdays, Vishu, and Eid, the children often feel sorrow as they remember their lost parents," an official release said here on Tuesday. The most difficult task was telling the children about the disaster. Relatives say the hardest part was breaking the news no child ever wants to hear that their mother and father are no longer in this world. "The child was in the hospital after being injured in the disaster. Months later, when she was discharged and brought to my home, she asked why she wasn't going back to her own house. She asked where her father, mother, and younger brother were. Not knowing how to tell her that they had died, I broke down and cried," recalled one relative. Many sought the help of the Child Protection Department to convey the news. Following the department's guidance, they gradually told the children each part of the truth. "First, we told the child that their house had been washed away in the landslide. Weeks later, we mentioned that neighbours had been swept away too. Only after the child slowly adjusted to that reality did we tell her about her mother. By then, she had begun interacting with other children in the household and was slowly returning to happiness," explained another relative. For many of the children, new homes are being built in the state government's rehabilitation township. Some children, for whom other organisations have assured houses, have received ₹15 lakh promised by the state government. The government has also provided financial assistance of ₹10 lakh to those who lost both parents, and ₹5 lakh to those who lost one parent. This amount has been placed in a fixed deposit in a joint account under the names of the child and the District Child Protection Officer, and they receive the interest from it. Nineteen children are receiving ₹4,000 per month under the Central Government's sponsorship scheme. In addition, six children who lost both parents have received a total of ₹31.24 lakh from private organisations and individuals, channeled through the state government. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Children who lost parents show remarkable resilience under kinship foster care: Officials
Kozhikode: The landslide that struck Mundakkai-Chooralmala in Wayanad on June 30 last year robbed several children of their parents and loved ones in a matter of moments, leaving them with deep scars. Seven children lost both their parents in the disaster and two of them have now turned 18. As the tragedy nears its first anniversary, district child protection officials said five children, who lost both parents, are now under kinship foster care in the houses of close relatives. They have adapted remarkably well to their new realities and are reportedly doing well. "All five aged between 5 and 16 are attending school and living with close relatives, mostly uncles or aunts. Since most of them are too young to fully grasp the depth of their loss, they've adapted well," said Karthika Anna Thomas, district child protection officer, Wayanad. Three of the five children are girls. One of the youngest, a five-year-old girl, spends time with her aunt's new born baby. The infant's laughter and presence have become a source of healing for her. Another girl, aged eight, lives with three cousins whose warmth and cheerful presence have slowly brought colour back to her life. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo As many as 11 children lost their fathers and three lost their mothers in the tragedy. According to officials, those who lost their fathers, including a 2-month-old baby, are with their mothers, and vice versa. Two of the 14 children are from Tamil Nadu. District child protection unit authorities said they continue to monitor the emotional, educational and recreational needs of the children. "Even so, outreach workers say that during birthdays, Vishu, Eid and other festivals, the children miss their parents' absence deeply," an official said. The entire cost of one student's degree education, of the two who reached adulthood, is being covered by the management of Don Bosco College in Sultan Bathery. The other, pursuing Plus One studies in Kozhikode district, had earlier dropped out of school but resumed studies after the tragedy. New houses are being built for many children under govt's rehabilitation township plan. Those not opting for houses in the township after being promised homes by organisations received Rs 15 lakh from state govt. Also, those who lost both parents were provided Rs 10 lakh, while those who lost one received Rs 5 lakh, deposited in fixed joint accounts in the names of the children and district child protection officer, with the children receiving interest from deposits. Also, 19 children receive Rs 4,000 monthly under Centre's sponsorship scheme. Additionally, private organisations and individuals, through state govt, contributed Rs 31.2 lakh to six children who lost both parents.
