Day 2: A Journey of Service and Gratitude
We woke up to a rainy morning in Wayanad, but soon the sun broke through, lighting up the tea plantations. After breakfast, we took a peaceful walk through the plantation and stopped by a stream to refresh our minds before the day began.

Loading supplies into the jeep with Fr. Babu Jose, we set off to reach more families. The rains had made the terrain slippery, and as we climbed up the mountain, the challenges of the journey faded into the background as we were welcomed warmly by the communities. The children were shy at first but waved us goodbye as we left.

Their homes, damaged by landslides and floods, stood as a reminder of the hardships these families face daily. Broken roofs covered with tarpaulin sheets and crumbling walls reflected the gap between promises of help and the reality they live in. Yet, their smiles and gratitude remained constant, teaching us resilience in its truest form.

The way back down was slippery and challenging, with little slips here and there, but we supported each other and managed just fine. The insects, ants, and leeches were another hurdle, but with sanitizer, we got rid of them too. But now we could actually say that a lot of blood and sweat went into this effort… quite literally, haha!

We headed back for lunch and also for reloading the supplies, we shared a hearty meal and rested briefly before setting off again. At another tribal settlement, the story remained the same, mud walls, tarpaulin roofs, and families struggling to survive. Despite everything, their warmth shone through. They invited us in, offered coffee, and reminded us of the beauty of humanity and the importance of sharing, even when resources are scarce. As dusk fell, we had to head back, mindful of the wildlife in the area, as a calf and a dog was reported missing the previous day.

Over the two days, we reached nearly 100 families. While the number might seem significant, our hearts still yearned to do more.

To our surprise, Surej Sir made time to video call us, checking on our well-being and asking about the challenges we faced, which felt truly encouraging.

Later, Fr. Tom joined us for a walk and shared life lessons, quoting Swami Vivekananda’s story of the “frog in the well,” leaving us inspired. Over supper, we had meaningful conversations that we will cherish for a lifetime.

As we packed for our return to Bengaluru, we expressed heartfelt gratitude to Fr. Tom and Fr. Babu Jose for their unwavering support.

I extend my sincere thanks to the Indian Institute of Psychology and Research (IIPR) and Dr. Elizabeth Jasmine Ruben,for trusting us with this responsibility. Special thanks to Emmanuel W, Surej Unnikrishnan Elsy Leeba and Jayashree S for their constant encouragement and support throughout this drive.

With hearts filled with gratitude and memories to last a lifetime, we left Wayanad, reflecting on the incredible resilience of the people and the privilege of serving them.