Woman volunteers to breastfeed orphaned infants who lost their mothers in tragic landslide
As I watched, Bhavna cradled the first baby in her arms. The infant calmed and when she began feeding the baby, everything fell quiet. She fed all five babies, one at a time. Wrought with hunger, they cried for milk. Soon, word spread, and more infants arrived.
- 3 days ago
October 2, 2024
Sajin Parekkara and Bhavana with their kids at their home in Upputhara, Idukki, India. | Photo courtesy of Sajin Parekkara
KERALA, India — On July 30, 2024, at 2:00 a.m., heavy rainfall triggered a devastating landslide, striking numerous villages in the Wayanad district of Kerala. It swept away homes and families. Tragically, parents died, leaving behind newborn babies while injured survivors struggled to care for their children. Amid the chaos, people searched for their loved ones desperately.
Although we wanted to help, our poverty prevented us from offering any support. The stories of children left without mothers deeply moved my wife. Recently, she gave birth to our son and continued breastfeeding him, which helped her understand how she could assist the flood victims. Finally, the next morning, she spoke from her heart. She said “These babies need us. They’ve lost everything. I can feed them. I am a breastfeeding mother, and I know breast milk is best for children, so that’s what I want to offer.”
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Woman volunteers to breastfeed orphaned babies in flood-hit Kerala village
For four days, the relentless rain in Kerala’s Wayanad district kept us on edge. We hoped for the worst to pass, remembering how we lost loved ones to floods during a disaster a few years ago. Heartbreaking scenes of the disaster – devastating lives, homes, and livelihoods – filled the news and social media feeds. It also brought people together, offering help in big and small ways. We wanted to help, but our financial situation prevented us from extending any support.
My wife, Bhavna, a former kindergarten teacher, longed to contribute but felt helpless. However, upon learning about the infants without their mothers, she decided to breastfeed them. Initially, I felt shocked, wondering if it was the right thing to do. However, realizing the alarming situation, I wholeheartedly supported her.
I always knew Bhavana had a big heart, but this act exceeded all my expectations. She volunteered to breastfeed the orphaned babies, an act both deeply personal and intimate, yet essential. While we enjoyed food, shelter, and safety, those babies lost everything. Determined to step in, Bhavana contacted the local relief center in our village, which coordinated the work in the affected areas.
The next day, the organizers asked us to join their volunteers. Although people offered to sponsor our trip, we managed on our own. My wife and I left that day at 11:00 a.m. With our younger son, we drove my work truck to the village of Meppadi. Located about 325 kilometers away in the hills, the rain and damaged roads lengthened the trip. Finally, we reached the location around 7:00 p.m.
Woman feeds hungry infants, transforming tears into calm
When we arrived at the rehabilitation center, we both felt exhausted. Nonetheless, the overwhelming scene before us eliminated our sleepiness. Crying and struggling, infants lined up in rows, evoking a scene from an old Hindi movie. Too young to comprehend the world around them, the disaster left the infants without anyone to hold or care for them. Witnessing the hungry infants, I found it hard to cope. My wife stayed calm as she approached the babies to cheer them up.
As I watched, Bhavna cradled the first baby in her arms. The infant calmed and when she began feeding the baby, everything fell quiet. She fed all five babies, one at a time. Wrought with hunger, they cried for milk. Soon, word spread, and more infants arrived. For four days at the rehabilitation center, she dedicated hours each day to feeding and caring for the children as if they were her own. Though exhausting, she never complained. She repeated, “They need me more than I need rest.”
With my wife nearby, the babies remained calm. Most of the babies brought to her were no more than one year old. Soon after, other mothers, inspired by Bhavana, joined her efforts. More women began providing nourishment, while some simply donated milk, transforming it into a community effort. This support eased Bhavana’s burden from feeding the babies alone for two days.
I still cannot believe how she managed to thrive as a new mother herself, especially given our limited food supply at home. We could not afford anything special for her diet, yet she found a way to make it work. Undoubtedly, pursuing her passion to help kids in urgent need proved miraculous.
Couple returns home after four days of helping hands
Despite the pain, my wife brought hope to the children and the community. While Bhavana cared for the children, I assisted the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) with rescue efforts. I collected food from the NGOs and government organizations that united in one location to distribute meals to those affected by the landslide.
Watching Bhavana dedicate herself to those kids, I realized how strong and compassionate she truly is. She offered what she could without hesitation, not out of ease, but out of necessity. In hard times, when the world seems to be falling apart, people like my wife remind me that good still exists. I understand life will never be the same for those who lost everything in the landslide. They will face unimaginable pain and grief. However, kind strangers gave those babies a chance to survive. Hopefully, they will grow up knowing love can shine through even in the darkest moments.
My wife stayed with the children until the government transferred them to various NGOs, ensuring their safety. Once the government arranged facilities for the children, we returned home after four days. Bhavna still thinks of those kids, maybe because she fed them. She shares a special bond with them.
I am incredibly proud of my wife. She did not just talk about helping; she took action. To this day, she insists she did nothing significant, and she neglects her impact. She thinks any mother would do the same for a baby in need, so she refrains from sharing her story in detail. However, I take pride in her work, recognizing what true compassion looks like.
