Jan 29 2005
The Ashram presented a new house plan to the Kerala Government. The plan consists of two bed rooms, a kitchen, dining hall and a toilet on the ground floor and a bed room on the first floor. The building will be built on concrete piling with belt foundation.
Turiyamritananda inaugurated the shelter built by the Ashram on the grounds of the Purakkad Devi Temple in Azhikkal. Although the temple is ready for inhabitation, the government has yet to allow anyone to move in. The total number of temporary shelters built by the ashram in Alappad is now nine.
Vocational Training
On 29 January, the Ashram started a stitching programme at its temporary shelter in Srayikkad. Using sewing machines provided by the Ashram, in the beginning some 75 ladies will learn to stitch clothes. The programme was inaugurated by Swami Krishnamrita Prana. The ladies will have two-hour-long classes for the next three months. Amma intends to start more vocational training courses so that the villagers can earn their livelihood.
Employment
The Ashram is sponsoring the paramedical-training of tsunami-affected young men and women at AIMS. They will be provided with free accommodation, food, clothing and a Rs. 500 weekly stipend through the duration of the training. Upon the successful completion of their training, they will be offered employment at the hospital, with a starting wage of Rs. 2,000. The Ashram plans to sponsor 300 tsunami-affected villagers in this fashion. Ashram is also sponsoring the training of young men as drivers at its ITC (Industrial Training Centre) in Putiyakkavu. They also will be provided with free accommodation, food, and Rs. 500 stipend during their training. Upon completion of their course, the Ashram will find jobs for them.
Adoption
The Ashram is planning to start an orphanage in the Nagapattinam District of Tamil Nadu for some 300 children who lost their parents in the tsunami.
The Ashram has sent two boys Kannan and Aravind from Alappad who will go to the Ashram’s orphanage in Parippally. They will be joining the 7th standard in the school there. Ashram has also adopted three retarded children from the village.
Medical
The Ashram has recently sent three more women in their final stages of pregnancy to AIMS for antar-natal checkups and deliveries.
The Ashram is sponsoring the reversal of the tubal-ligation surgery for seven women who lost all of their children to the tsunami, so that they may once again know the joy of motherhood.
Cash Allotments
On 25 January, Swami Amritaswarupananda distributed cash allotments of Rs. 750 to 1,565 villagers in Arattupuzha in Kerala’s Alappuzha District. The money is to be used for the purchasing of household items.
Free Food
The Ashram continues to provide food three times a day at 22 counters up and down Beach Road in Alappad Panchayat.
It has also started serving at certain schools in Alappad, so that the children can have hot lunches.