Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady (SHS/SP)

Beltangady, Apr 13: Here is a family that has been serving the needy in spite of finding it difficult to make both ends meet. Humble members of this rare family are Margaret, Celina, Reeta, and their mother.

Recently their condition worsened, with heavy rains further damaging the house that was built about two decades ago.

Of the four, Margaret is married. Her husband works in Bangalore. The couple has a two-year-old daughter. Reeta is a first year BCA degree course student at SDM College, Ujire. Reeta is a brilliant student, a topper in her class. Celina is a nun in Dominican order. Margaret’s father was an alcoholic, who deserted them when they were badly in need of his support, leaving them to fend for themselves.

In spite of the poor financial condition of the family, Margaret generously provides herbal remedies for patients suffering from kidney stone ailment, free of cost. Margaret is running the family, in addition to taking care of educational needs of her younger sister, with great difficulty. As the family has no male member to fall back on, Margaret’s husband has been extending support to the family to the extent possible, from out of his moderate salary.

Margaret's husband works as a small-time sales man in Bangalore earning a meagre salary of Rs 7,000. Out of this money, apart from his day-to-do expenses for food and other necessities, he also has to pay rent for his accomodation in Bangalore. The remaining amount is hardly enough to sustain the family in Beltangady.

"My husband was earlier sending money and looking after our day-to-day expenses and also my sister’s education. He now earns less and is unable to save enough for the family," Margaret says, requesting for help to repair the house her family stays in.

The family’s house is in dilapidated condition. It is in such a state of disrepair that it might crash anytime. The rain that lashed a few days ago has further damaged the house. Part of the roof has come off and another portion was destroyed when a tree got uprooted and fell on the house. They do not even have sufficient water supply.

Though the family has tried to sustain itself by growing rubber near the house, it is not yet ready for tapping. Hence all sources of income are as good as closed. "I give people herbal medicines for kidney stones but do not charge them. Charging money would weaken the power of the medicine," says Margaret. Her mother Mary has undergone uterus operations, which deters her from doing any heavy work.

The family requires financial assistance to build a small home for itself. Construction of a small 600 sq ft house will require about Rs 3,50,000.

Those who wish to help the family and bring them out of their misery are requested to send in their contributions to the following account:

Margaret Mathais
SB Account No: 105701011000406
Vijaya Bank, Dharmasthala Branch
Beltangady taluk
Dakshina Kannada district, India.

IFSC No: VIJB0001057