Thankamma, who will soon turn ninety, is proud to own a daycare centre that specialises in serving the elderly. After her husband passed away in 2004, Karusseril N Thankamma, a resident of Kottayam, conceived the idea of initiating a program for elderly women like herself.
“Living alone, we yearn for companionship at this stage of life. Unfortunately, it’s often hard to come by, as our children and grandchildren are preoccupied with work or studies,” shares the 89-year-old.
Thankamma is retired Hindi teacher from NSS Upper Primary School, in Kerala’s Thampalakkad. She very well understands the inevitability of this situation and acknowledges that family members cannot always be present as children go away abroad or are busy raising their children. At the same time, Thankamma has understood that loneliness among elderly women has become a common problem these days. Thus, to ensure their that they live a fulfilling life, she made the decision to transform her ancestral home. Her ancestral home is over 200 years old and she decided to transform it into a daycare center.
Thankamma’s children, Sreekumar, Satheesh Kumar, and Geetha, actively supported the idea. They not only contributed to the renovation of the ancestral home but also assisted their mother in spreading awareness about the initiative.
People fondly address her as ‘Amma’. “Amma is a well-known figure in our community,” says Sreekumar, who serves as the chief commercial officer in a New York-based firm. “Being a former teacher, she has a vast network of connections. She has a passion for empowering other women, generously sharing her earnings and wisdom. Her energy is remarkable, she constantly generates new ideas to enhance the daycare, even at her age.”
Popularly called as Manavodaya Pakalveedu, Thankamma went on to formally register it as a charitable society and commenced its activities from 11 October 2017.
“The daycare began operating on Amma’s 84th birthday. Since then, we celebrate her birthday annually here with us and the 30 residents, all aged 60 and above,” Sreekumar adds.
Due to Thankamma’s advanced age and her children being occupied with jobs elsewhere, a team of five employees is employed full-time at the daycare to oversee the residents’ well-being and manage daily operations.
The staff members engage in various tasks such as crafting candle lights, incense sticks, paper bags, detergents, and cleaning lotion. Thankamma mentions that the products are sold through a nearby shop, and the proceeds are entirely utilized to sustain the facility. While the staff primarily handles production, the residents assist in packaging the items.
“The facility additionally provides a complimentary stitching course open to all interested individuals. All the staff members at the daycare are young women, two of whom have obtained Masters degrees in social work,” explains Adv. Geetha, Thankamma’s daughter, who visits the home every weekend to participate in its activities.
One week ago, Thankamma, the teacher, marked her 89th birthday alongside her companions at Pakalveedu. To commemorate the occasion, a computer center was inaugurated, offering complimentary coaching in MS Office and accounting. Two instructors have been assigned to guide the students.
The day for the residents of Pakalveedu begins at 8 am when they are picked up from their homes by the daycare’s vehicle. Following a non-denominational prayer, the women engage in a meditation and yoga session, followed by reading the newspaper and having breakfast.
They have the option to participate in packaging candles, incense sticks, or detergent according to their preference. Alternatively, they can engage in conversations, reading, gardening, or playing games. Following an evening stroll and shared coffee, they are returned to their individual homes by 5 pm.
“All the residents here are women who spend their days alone at home once their children depart for work or studies. While some are brought here by their children, others come of their own accord,” explains Sreekumar.
To safeguard the well-being of the residents and provide assistance during emergencies, a health clinic and laboratory have been established on-site. A doctor, nurse, and lab technician are available during the daytime.
“We organize a monthly gathering for family members where the residents can display their talents. Additionally, we come together to celebrate birthdays, Onam, and Christmas. Each year, we also arrange a small one-day trip for all the members and staff,” Thankamma shares.
Padmakumari S, a 68-year-old resident of Pakalveedu, shares, “I have a long-standing connection with Thankamma and her family. She was my teacher in school, and my family knew her husband. Since the inception of Pakalveedu, I’ve been a member here, and being among women of my age brings me immense joy and peace.”
She continues, “I actively participate in making incense sticks, candles, and paper bags. The staff here ensures our well-being with nutritious meals, medications, and regular health check-ups. With both my sons living in separate households with their own families, without Pakalveedu, I would be spending my time alone. I wish to see more such homes established in every neighborhood for elderly women like myself.”
In the meantime, Thankamma, the teacher, reflects, “I’ve always carried a sense of duty to give back to the society that imparted so much wisdom to me. Moreover, sharing time with these women fills me with unparalleled happiness and inner peace. We’re also deeply indebted to the young women who assist us in efficiently managing the home. By offering employment opportunities to women and creating a supportive environment for them, I view this initiative as a form of women’s empowerment as well.”
Thankamma also aims to advocate for sustainability by producing cloth bags at her daycare and encouraging people to adopt this eco-friendly alternative to plastic. She believes that it’s never too late to embark on something new, whether it’s a business endeavor or adopting a new habit.
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