Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church to provide house for Adimali landslip survivor

Sandhya, a young woman from Adimali who lost her leg, her husband, and her home in a landslip last year is finally being given a chance to rebuild her life.

She is set to receive a new house from the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, announced the Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Mathews III on Sunday during the fourth-anniversary celebrations of the Sahodaran programme, a charity initiative run by the Church. The Church is constructing 100 houses for those in need as part of the golden jubilee celebrations of the Catholicos’ ordination.

The decision to build a new house for Ms. Sandhya came after actor Mammootty drew attention to her plight at a recent event. Currently, Mammootty’s Care and Share Foundation is covering the full cost of medical treatment to Ms. Sandhya, who now walks with a prosthetic leg.

The incident

Ms. Sandhya’s house was among the eight completely destroyed houses when a landslip struck Koombanpara area of Adimali on October 26. Buried under mud and debris, her home was reduced to ruins. Her husband, Biju, lost his life after being trapped for hours. Ms. Sandhya survived but suffered severe injuries, leading to the amputation of one leg.

“Through the Sahodaran initiative, the Church aims not just to build 100 houses, but 100 temples of God’s love.We are glad to extend a helping hand to Sandhya with it,” said the Catholicos at the function held at St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, Niranam, on Sunday. Synod secretary Yuhanon Mar Chrysostomos Metropolitan presided.

Playback singer K.G. Markose, a member of the parish, was also felicitated on the occasion.