Homes for the homeless: KPA Trust hands over its first home under the ‘Ayiram Bhawan Project’

The Kerala Pravasi Association Trust officially handed over the first two homes, constructed under their ‘Ayiram Bhawan’  housing project that provides housing for the economically poor in Kerala, to its righful owners.

The Key handover took place at the Rajiv Gandhi Convention Center in the Mavur Gram Panchayat and was graced by Hon. Goa Governor Adv. PS Sreedharan Pillai.

The Ayiram Bhawan Project is a key initiative led by the Kerala Pravasi Association Trust, launched to provide housing and thereby uplift the quality of life of people in Kerala. The event also saw the handover of a second house built under the financial assistance provided by the KPA Trust as well as financial assistance, announced to a house damaged during the monsoons.

Kerala Pravasi Association and Kerala Pravasi Association Trust was founded by Rajendran Vellapalath, and Aswani Nambarambath, with a vision to build a modern, strong and resilient Kerala, under the leadership and expertise of Pravasi Malayalis.

Vellapalath who is the Hon. Chairman of the KPA Trust said, “At Kerala Pravasi Association (KPA), we envision a Kerala free from poverty, by enabling Pravasi’s from across the world to give. The Ayiram Bhavan Project is KPA’s dream project that was established to rehabilitate and provide shelter to the landless and homeless people in Kerala. With today’s key handovers, we begin an ambitious journey towards changing the lives of over 3.4 million people in Kerala by 2030.

The Kerala Pravasi Association Trust relies on CSR funds, Crowd Funding where individual donations are key to raise funds for our various initiatives. We invite our Pravasi brothers and sisters and Corporate Companies and other people irrespective of their religion, caste etc to join us on this journey towards building a stronger, more resilient Kerala.” he added.

Mr. PS Sreedharan Pillai in his inaugural speech said, “The Kerala Pravasi Association Trust’s Ayiram Bhavanam Project has truly opened new opportunities for the economically poor in our state. With the help of Pravasi’s who have always played an important role towards the economical growth of our state, I applaud initiatives like the ‘Ayiram Bhavanam Project’ and take this opportunity to congratulate Kerala Pravasi Association and its founders Rajendran Vellapalath and Aswani Nambarambath for making this possible.”

Babu Nelluli, Block Panchayat President distributed the financial assistance for the construction of the next house, under the scheme.

Kerala Pravasi Association Trust also unveiled a new Health Insurance Scheme at the event. Providing access to quality health care and heath insurance is also a key area for the party.

MK Raghavan, Hon. MP, Kozhikode unveiled the scheme along with Rajendran Vellapalath and Aswani Nambarambath, Hon. Vice-Chairman, Kerala Pravasi Association Trust.

Speaking at the launch, Mr MK Raghavan said, “Kerala Pravasi Association and Rajendran Vellapalath’s vision for a resilient and stronger Kerala becomes a reality today. Their vision to provide housing, education, health care and insurance, eradicate poverty , provide access to clean drinking water, launch welfare programs for differently-abled people, with the help of the expertise and generosity of Pravasi’s, will usher in a new beginning for many.

As members of the society, it is our responsibility to extend our support to Kerala Pravasi Association and Rajendran Vellapalath and Aswani Nambarambath to bring this vision to a reality for many.”

As part of their initiatives to provide support to the differently-abled, KPA Trust also handed over wheelchairs to those in need. The wheelchairs were handed over by Gram Panchayat President, T. Ranjith.

Shaheen Khan, National Council Member gave the welcome speech and the Vote of thanks was presented by Trustee Bina Sunil. Block Panchayat Member Maimuna Katukanchiri and former Block Panchayat President Vellapalath Balakrishnan Nair also addressed the audience. Other dignitaries in attendance were Muhammad Abdul Hakeem Azhari, Hon. Managing Director of Marcus Knowledge City, Syed Muhammad Koya Thangal Jamalullaili, Hon. Kozhikode Khasi.

Aswani Nambarambath, Hon.Vice Chairman of Kerala Pravasi Association Trust added, “Access to affordable and safe housing is known to contribute towards the economic growth of a state as it will enable more people from lower income groups to move out of slums and live in proper houses.

Providing homes or financial assistance for rebuilding homes is one of the key focus areas, among nine other priorities, laid out by Kerala Pravasi Association, that we will continue to work towards to ensure deserving families have a place they can call home.”

The Kerala Pravasi Association Trust will focus on nine priorities, which cover 36 areas related to the daily life of the people, by enabling Pravasi’s across the world to give. The nine priorities include :

1. Providing housing to the economically backward – complete or partial construction of 1000 houses in a timely manner. On December 22, 2022, three houses in Mavoor were handover over to deserving families.

2. Provide medical insurance facilities that will enabled those in need easy access to treatment at low cost. As part of this, KPA Insurance contract was signed with a leading insurance company and the party aims to announce a medical insurance package of up to three lakh rupees.

3. To provide education and training facilities to students from lower income families and prepare them for better jobs and a brighter future.

4. Reaching out to physically and mentally-challenged people by providing necessary assistance. The party donated Nine wheel chairs at the event, part of this goal.

5. Geriatric care that supports helpless senior citizens by providing them with physical and emotional support that often comes with ageing.

6. Implement projects to supply portable water to areas facing shortage of fresh water

7. Accelerate activities to implement hygienic and safe waste management and sanitation.

8. Plan poverty alleviation projects by ensuring basic needs are met.

9. Accelerating efforts to make women empowerment a reality rather than a slogan.

The trust aims to enforce action in these nine areas, with people’s participation through public funding via Crowd Funding, CSR Funds and Donations. KPA has obtained 12A, 80G, CSR and DARPAN approvals, required for such legal fundraising.

More information on how to apply for these projects will be made available in the next few days. KPA Trust is currently accepting applications from individual districts,  once approved by their respective ward committee. All selfless persons working in public sector in Ward / Panchayat / Municipal / Corporation Committees are invited to send their applications.