Mangalore: Angelina Quadros - A Rare Humanitarian Gesture
Dear reader,
Some time earlier, you may have read in daijiworld columns the touching story of the Quadros couple in Mangalore (Mangalore: Quadros Family now between Hell and Deep Sea) , who were undergoing a tough phase of life. Their son had to undergo a surgery for tumour. His father, the sole bread-winner, could not bear the conditions of poverty, added by his son's health problem, and hence is under psychiatric counselling.
After scrutinizing the situation, and with a recommendation of the parish priest, we published an appeal on their behalf on daijiworld. And the response, as usual, was instant and unbelievable. With generous contributions pouring in, a sum of Rs 5.5 lac was collected in the account of Angelina mother of Michael. (Our readers may be aware that, in the interest of strict transparency, daijiworld always ensures that the benefit of readers' generosity goes to the needy direct, without any involvement in the financial aspect. Usually it is also ensured that all contributions go direct to the beneficiary's bank account, held jointly with another responsible third party.)
Angelina with her son Michael who is now recovering
The actual amount required for Michael's surgery was about 1.5 lac, but a fourfold amount had been received in the bank account.
The family had never seen such a huge amount. Michael's mother Angelina was simply stunned and had no words to thank God and those who supported and contributed in their most difficult days of life.
Realizing the value of the donations received and sentiments behind them, she contacted Avita, who was the trace route of this case and Viju Mangalore, daijiworld's senior correspondent who has changed the lives of many poor and needy people through his investigative stories and innovative journalistic skills and expressed her wish to share the excess amount received with other similar persons in need who genuinely needed money but could not afford the cost of treatment and medicine !
With a true mother's heart beating inside her, she could quite well understood the pain of others who were going through similar trauma.
She had her eyes full of tears and had no words to express when our correspondent met her. "There is God, and he is the sole saviour of all. I had little hope in my life. For me, it was darkness from all angles, with my son lying in the hospital with no financial support, husband also admitted to hospital on a different complaint. God gave me all this and I want to share and care. My son is recovering and we are confident that God will take care of him in future also," she poured her feelings out to our correspondent.
Upon her request, daijiworld scrutinized all the pending appeals and finalized three cases among the most deserving and needy.
Ashwini Lewis
As per the recommendation of Fr Victor D'Souza, parish priest of Paneer church, Ashwini Lewis, a 13-year-old girl of the parish who was suffering from Ovarian Cancer. It may be noted that the Daijiworld team had visited her and was shocked at what they saw. The girl, who once looked healthy and in good physique in a photograph of hers that her parents were holding, had been reduced to a mere skeleton. Ashwini had her head covered with a piece of cloth as she has lost her hair with the side-effects of Chemotherapy. Rs 1 lac has been given passed on to her family for her immediate expenses Click Here to read the appeal
Sonia
Further, there was the 17-year-old Sonia Joseph who was suffering from Chronic Renal Failure. Unable to meet the rising medical expenses, the family had almost lost hopes of her recovery as she needed to undergo a kidney transplant. All those who had sent their hard-earned money in aid of Michael will be happy to know that Sonia too will soon see the brighter days of her life as her medical expenses are beingmet. A sum of Rs 1 lac has been given passed on to her family for her immediate expenses.
Marina Cutinho
Seventeen-year-old Marina Cutinho, daughter of Charles and Mabel Cutinho of Bola near Naringana, who suffered from kidney failure, has had a kidney transplant. Thanks to generosity of the kind-hearted daijiworld readers, this girl who is on the threshold of a promising life, has got the required additional financial help as she had to undergo an angioplasty. A sum of Rs 1 lac goes her way. The family, which earlier had received help from our readers, was overwhelmed with the much-needed help right on time. Tears rolled down the cheeks of Charles, father of Marina, who could not believe that there are so many good samaritans in this world! Click Here to read earlier story
Today, Angelina has saved three other lives, though this may not be entirely enough to take care of their full medical expenses.
But what stands out is her rare humanitarian gesture and it is hard to believe that such persons could exist in this era of greed and selfish motives.
Mangaloreans are much known for charity work. Appeals published on this website in the past bear witness to this, with more than a dozen lives saved. We are sure all donors will be blessed abundantly for their generous act.
This is a case wherein all who had donated, supported and helped in any way will be proud to know that they helped not only Angelina, but saved three other lives as well!
We at Daijiworld bow down to all our readers for reaching out to these families. A hand that moves in giving help to the needy is led by God. May your tribe increase.
A collective effort by our man Viju, Avita, Fr Victor and others has made this unplanned mission possible.
Let us all salute Angelina for her great humanitarian act. May many more Angelinas be born and live in this world.
Yours sincerely
Walter Nandalike
Editor-in-chief
Daijiworld.com
December 11, 2006
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