It was an event that marked a turning point in recovery after last year’s deadly landslides in Wayanad. Today, survivors received certificates in vocational training for tailoring and computer-based skills. Led by Amrita University, the initiative equips them to move forward in life with the ability to earn for their families.
“When we were at home, many thoughts filled our minds, because we were directly affected by the disaster. We ran for our lives, carrying infants and our elderly parents,” said one of the students.
“We are so happy because we got this opportunity when we were feeling sad. We made the most of it. In the first batch, there were 22 people who stood by us, saying, ‘You should rise up. There is no going back. Come forward.’”
On 30 July 2024, heavy rainfall triggered massive landslides in the Wayanad district of Kerala, India. More than 400 people were killed and about 400 seriously injured. The area affected mostly consisted of tea farms built on steep slopes, and many of those who died worked in the farms, or were members of their families.
“This gives us self-confidence. Now, we have learned a skill, and we have received this help through Amma’s mercy,” shared another student.
“Whether it’s stitching or embroidery, we didn’t know any of this when we first came here. But now, having learned it, we have the self-confidence to move forward in life.”
Shri T Siddique is the Kerala Govt’s MLA for Kalpetta, Wayanad’s capital. As the chief guest at the event, he shared how Amma’s vast reach for disaster relief is a profound inspiration and has reached the people of Wayanad after such tragedy.
“It is a great thing to be able to bring the victims of the landslide disaster back to life. That great duty was carried out by Mata Amritanandamayi Math and Amrita University together, as per the instructions of Amma. That is a great example,” he said.
Amrita’s AMMACHI Labs initiated our skills training programme in December 2024 to support rehabilitation in the villages of Mundakai and Churalmala, two of the places worst struck.
To date, 87 women have received training in tailoring and 26 in computer-based skills. Strengthening them in this way marks a milestone in the long-term recovery efforts led by the Ashram.
Brahmacharini Karunyamrita Chaitanya heads the Amrita Sustainable Livelihood and Disaster Resilience Programme. With a vision of shared purpose, the team brought together women from different faiths to help rebuild their communities.
“Through this initiative, we aimed to provide them with training in this skill and help them overcome the challenges they are facing in life, thereby improving their lives,” she said.
“We have successfully achieved this goal. They came here as a group, and maintaining this solidarity and taking it forward is what we aim to accomplish in the future.”
In a deeply moving gesture of remembrance and renewal, the Ashram conducted a tree planting and public cleanup drive the day before. The area included the site where the victims of the 2019 Churalmala landslide disaster were laid to rest.
Survivors and local community members supported each other in planting saplings in memory of the deceased. For many who lost loved ones, returning to the site was an emotional experience, with several describing it as a form of healing.
The event concluded with an all-faith prayer session, fostering a spirit of unity.
