KOTTAYAM: ZamngIchan Chandini has witnessed horror and endured hardships that few 14-year-olds can imagine. Hailing from a violence-hit district in Manipur, Chandini, who lost her home in the ethnic conflagration that engulfed the northeastern state and was unable to continue her education, is now back in school, in Kerala, along with 46 other students who are also victims of the Manipur violence.
Chandini now attends St Thomas Higher Secondary School in Thiruvalla, in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district.
Thanks to Sathyam Ministries, a Christian charitable organisation based in Thiruvalla, these Manipur children could see a new beginning. The children, including 14 girls, were initially traumatised on arrival in Thiruvalla, said C V Vadavana, chairman of Sathyam Ministries. “Now, the situation has changed. They are immersed in their studies, are mingling well with local students, and active in sports,” he said.
Vadavana revealed that fellow missionaries in Manipur had informed them about the plight of these children, some of whom had been orphaned and were unable to continue their education. “Among this lot, 11 have lost their parents to the violence,” said Vadavana.
Sathyam Ministries provides these children free accommodation and food at its seminary in Kaviyoor, near Thiruvalla. Additionally, they receive free education and lunch at school. “The children will return to Manipur only after peace is completely restored there. The election results have given them some hope,” Vadavana said.
“I have made friends with many Malayali students here, and after studies we spend time chatting,” said Chandini, who added that she likes dosas very much.
Shaji Mathew, principal of the school, said most of the children are in Classes 8 and 9. Beyond classroom learning, the school provides free lunch, uniforms and a school bus to transport them between the seminary and the school. Their admission to the school was facilitated by the intervention of the Archbishop of Thiruvalla, Metropolitan Thomas Mar Koorilos, Mathew said.
Chandini now attends St Thomas Higher Secondary School in Thiruvalla, in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district.
Thanks to Sathyam Ministries, a Christian charitable organisation based in Thiruvalla, these Manipur children could see a new beginning. The children, including 14 girls, were initially traumatised on arrival in Thiruvalla, said C V Vadavana, chairman of Sathyam Ministries. “Now, the situation has changed. They are immersed in their studies, are mingling well with local students, and active in sports,” he said.
Vadavana revealed that fellow missionaries in Manipur had informed them about the plight of these children, some of whom had been orphaned and were unable to continue their education. “Among this lot, 11 have lost their parents to the violence,” said Vadavana.
Sathyam Ministries provides these children free accommodation and food at its seminary in Kaviyoor, near Thiruvalla. Additionally, they receive free education and lunch at school. “The children will return to Manipur only after peace is completely restored there. The election results have given them some hope,” Vadavana said.
“I have made friends with many Malayali students here, and after studies we spend time chatting,” said Chandini, who added that she likes dosas very much.
Shaji Mathew, principal of the school, said most of the children are in Classes 8 and 9. Beyond classroom learning, the school provides free lunch, uniforms and a school bus to transport them between the seminary and the school. Their admission to the school was facilitated by the intervention of the Archbishop of Thiruvalla, Metropolitan Thomas Mar Koorilos, Mathew said.