Kasargod, Jul 30: Parish priest of Agrar on May 30 informed Snehalaya was informed about a depleted house, with three members living inside and that the family deserves immediate attention.

The team, Snehalaya visited the house and could not stand the sight of the living condition. The lady, the head of the family Eliza Menezes, was stinking of fourth stage cancer. The alcoholic son aged 28 was directionless, jobless and helpless. A mild MR patient, niece of Eliza was taking care of the house. The team rescued Eliza Menezes and placed her in Ave Maria Palliative Care and after 19 days the lady Eliza Menezes breathed her last. The funeral rites were conducted by Snehalaya.

Prakash the son was taken for treatment, counselling and rehabilitation while the cousin Margratte was taken to Snehalaya for treatment. Their house was in the last stage of collapse.

On June 6, work on the new house in collaboration with the ward members of the Velankanni ward of Agrar parish began. The ward head, Ronald D Souza took the lead while Snehalaya’s unit head, Geo D Silva took up the construction and completion works. Within 50 days the new house was ready for occupancy.

The newly built house of late Eliza Menezes, at Agrar, was blessed by Fr Gregory D Souza, parish priest of Agrar. The family and ward members also offered a month's mind mass in honour of Eliza Menezes before the blessing of the house.

In a simple function held on July 29, the new house was handed over to Prakash Menezes by the chief guest, Daniel Crasta, who served in the Indian Army for 20 years and is now employed at Corporation Bank.

Geo D Silva presented a gist of Snehalaya and its activities while compering the event. Joseph Crasta, the founder of Snehalaya applauded the local support of the ward members and said such volunteering service is recognized and rewarded multiple times by the Almighty. He congratulated the team for having completed the work in two months at Rs 3.64 lac.

Fr Gregory D Souza in his messaged expressed that Snehalaya is extremely rich in heart to reach out to the needy in a distress call. The amount of work in putting up this house was great. He appreciated the dedication of team Snehalaya, Geo D Silva and ward Head Ronald. He also wished Prakash a happy future and requested all the ward members to take care of this child referring to PUNYAKOTI story, a mother's plea at her last stage of life to take care of her lone child.

Daniel Crasta, the chief guest handed over the possession of the house to Prakash Menezes symbolically with an encrypted portrait: 'There is a reason to smile- A home by Snehalaya'. He appealed to the public to strengthen the hands of those who strive to bring happiness in the least brothers, Snehalaya being one among such organizations, their work is building people and families with their support system.

During this auspicious occasion, a deserving family from Modankap, Bantwal, wherein the head of the family suffering from brain defects, the elder son has completed his graduation has no job and a sister pursuing her education in college was at the verge of dropping out for lack of financial support, while the lone mother was slogging by beedi rolling to feed the entire family was given a cheque of Rs 25,000 for the educational support of the girl child.

Snehalaya’s unit head of Madanthyar Santhosh D Souza, the parish vice president Vincent Carlo, the ward members were present. All the volunteers were given a token of appreciation while special mention was made to the neighbour Anil Fernandes who provided water source and the ward head Ronald for all the committed work he had done in completing the project.

Geo D Silva compered the program and Ronald proposed the vote of thanks. A special mention was made for all the kind-hearted donors and all those who morally supported the mission of Snehalaya.

A simple tea party was arranged and the programme concluded in 30 minutes.