| Peter and Leena, ‘Asraya Bhavan’, Nadathara, Olloor, Thrissur |
Loss of business and swindling suffered in his subsequent effort to find a job in the Gulf had reduced Peter to a vagabond with unsteady mind on the Mumbai streets. Though his wife Leena brought him back to Kerala with the help of her brothers, the family decided to commit suicide, not knowing how to proceed in life. However, the intervention of their daughter prevented the mishap.
Later, while staying at a rehabilitation centre at Ernakulam, they decided to devote their life to the uplift of the destitutes. As life moved on, they took up small job near Chalakkudy and took two destitutes under their wings. They then rented a house and christened it ‘Asraya Bhavan’. Soon police brought to their care a wandering mental wreck of a woman.
She was Naaniamma from Nadathara. When they traced her relatives and reunited her with her loved ones, a surprise awaited them. The grateful relatives permitted ‘Asraya Bhavan’ to function at Naaniamm’s house at Nadathara. So two years ago, the destitute home shifted its operation to the new premises where Naniamma and 35 others are inmates. With the support of benefactors, Peter and Leena lead the nestling organization.
When inmates increased, a good Samaritan permitted them to use a house at Mundoor near Thrissur. Another 30 inmates, including their son live there. Leena’s two brothers married ladies from ‘Asraya Bhavan’. Now these families too are active in the care of inmates at ‘Asraya Bhavan’.
Loss of business had once driven Peter mad. Perhaps Divine has now gifted him enough care to keep him busy for the rest of his life.
Courtesy:
V.J.Rafi, Mathrubhumi, March 17, 2007
Contributed by: Administrator
