5 stories of grit & resolve shown by elders

In rural communities, most elders continue to work and make a living for as long as they physically can. But the Coronavirus age has taken that opportunity away from them and disrupted their lives and livelihoods. Despite numerous difficulties caused by the pandemic, the elders are standing strong together by inspiring hope and kindness to all in these uncertain times.

As the pandemic has upended the functioning of communities, it has also posed unique challenges to older generations. Except that the commitment and resilience shown by them in times like these has been unwavering. From teaching us lessons in compassion to inspiring people with their undeterred spirit, these elders have joined forces to #BeatTheVirus. Here are five powerful stories of strength inspired by the generation that nurtured us.

1. Lesson in kindness

In Narasipuram, a village on the outskirts of Coimbatore, the locals and volunteers were witness to a unique episode that taught them a valuable lesson in compassion and empathy. When our volunteers were distributing food packets among villagers, they realized that an 80-year-old resident of the village, Kuyilathal, had not been able to collect her food packet. That is when Ramasamy, 65, stepped forward without any hesitation and offered his food packet to Kuyilathal. His compassion even resonated with his neighbours, who all offered to share their food packets with him.

2. Battling against all odds

For this aged gentleman from Veraliyur, lockdown and excruciating pain in legs left him in an unbelievably difficult predicament. He was battling against all odds when our volunteers reached his home to distribute Nilavembu Kashayam. He had confided in them about his health concerns and his predicament. Even though his son had left home 10 years ago, he has fended for himself and his granddaughter, who studies in a government school, ever since. Our volunteers gave him their vehicle and with help of two village volunteers, he was taken to the Narasipuram Primary Healthcare Centre for treatment. After receiving treatment, the elderly gentleman felt strong enough to return home the same day so that he could take care of his granddaughter.

3. Familiar like family

When one of our volunteers, Pradap, was going about his daily activities in Puttur, an elderly woman approached him. The encounter was surreal for him as he heard the woman speak to him with a deep sense of familiarity. The aged woman apprised of her problems to Pradap and told him that she is unable to walk properly and feels like she will fall every time she gets up. She requested Pradap: “Get me a walking stick tomorrow when you come for your next visit.” Pradap later told other volunteers that the aged woman had spoken to him like he was her family member because she, much like the other villagers, now considers the Isha volunteers as their own. This feeling of kinship had spurred the aged woman to seek help from him, especially since she had no one else to turn to. She was back on her feet the next day when our volunteers helped her get a walking stick.

4. Maharasan nalla irukanum

Do you want to know what keeps our volunteers going? In the scorching sun, at the hectic pace, with danger lurking in the corner? This is what keeps them going: “Maharasan nalla irukanum” – from an old man in the community who probably has nothing to offer except blessings. If you don’t know Tamil, this is the time to learn – because some things cannot be translated.

5. Of compassion and solidarity

In Jakkirnaickenpalayam, an elderly woman wanted to show her solidarity with our volunteers by making a small donation. Over time, she had painstakingly collected a large number of rubber bands. When the field team visited the locality to distribute food and Nilavembu Kashayam the aged woman handed over the rubber bands. She told a volunteer: “I have collected these for you. Please use these to bind the packets of cooked food that you give to us daily.”

Our volunteers were especially impressed by the grit of an aged man who stays in Devarayapuram. He matched pace with the volunteers for a few kilometres and helped them distribute food and Nilavembu Kashayam to other village residents.

As they sacrificed their time and their dreams for today’s quality of life, we must make sure we are there for them now more than ever. People (wrongly) say dreams usually come to a halt at an old age; these elders only have dreams of a better tomorrow for their people.