Sneha and Sachu - An Orphans Transition

September 18th, 2003

The fate has been very harsh on the two little kids – Sneha (3) and Sachu (1 1/2). Not only were they born with birth disabilities to hear and speak (deaf and dumb), they also became orphans after they lost their parents. Their pain has become the pain of Sholayur panchayat.


[This article appeared in the MalayalaMaronama newspaper on Sept 18th, 2003. Please double click on the article to enlarge it.]

Located in the Sholayur panchayat, Attapadi, Palakkad district Sneha and Sachu were born to Eelamala paanikuzhiyil Payippra veetil Binu and Sheeja. Their parents lived on the mere income they earned from the daily wage work and small scale farming in their land.

When the kids were born, Binu and Sheeja spend all their savings to find a cure for their illness. For years, they spent everything with the hope that someday their children will be cured. Unfortunately, their prayers were never answered in their life time.

Finally, finding no hope in the treatment and their prayers, in utter desperation, the parents committed suicide to escape from their demanding life. On Sept 15, 2003, the kids lost their father and on Oct 11th, 2003, they lost their mother who tried to burn herself after witnessing her husband’s suicide.

Sneha and Sachu witnessed their father’s dying moments and their mother blazing in fire. They were so unfortunate that they could not even cry for help in a situation that could not have been more scary than any nightmares that anyone could imagine.

Binu’s parents and Sheeja’s family were equally poor and are unable to provide for the treatment and care for the children.

[This article appeared in the MalayalaMaronama newspaper on Oct 16th, 2003. Please double click on the article to enlarge it.]

Unaware of the tragedy that would change their life for ever; the kids find comfort on the shoulders of one of Binu’s friends and search for their parents. The scene is heart breaking to anyone who sees them.