Anonymous philanthropists continue to extend helping hand for students orphaned in Wayanad landslide

Thiruvananthapuram: Several students who were orphaned in the devastating landslide at Wayanad last year are receiving the helping hand from a couple of philanthropists who prefer anonymity.

As many as seven students lost both father and mother in the landslide on July 30, 2024 that claimed around 250 lives and around 100 still missing.

A woman hailing from Thrissur, who retired as dean from a leading institution in Bengaluru, as well as a person hailing from an ordinary family in Palakkad are the anonymous philanthropists. They not only sent money every month for the welfare of the children, but also used to regularly ring up the child welfare authorities and enquire about the wellbeing of the children, a statement from the state government said.

While the retired dean is sending Rs 4,000 each to two girls who were orphaned, the Palakkad native is sending Rs 2,000 each to three girls. The Palakkad native lost his parents during his childhood and hence he could realise the pain of the children he lost their parents, said the statement.

Among the seven students who lost both father and mother, two attained the age of 18 now. The remaining children are living with their close relatives and are under the kinship foster care project of the state government. Apart from an assistance of Rs 10 lakh given by the state government to the children orphaned by the calamity various private organisations and individuals also donated around Rs 30 lakhs for them. As many as 19 children who lost both father or mother or any one of them were also getting assistance of Rs 4,000 each under the centre's sponsorship scheme, said the statement.