Impact Stories
Timely aid gives a new lease of life to the family
"Catastrophes never come alone but they come with battalions" – this popular saying completely stands true for the Suryavanshi family. The family is struggling emotionally and financially after the primary breadwinner hit by COVID passed away. A 32-year-old Vaishali Suryavanshi lost her husband Amit to the COVID on April 29, 2021. The family couldn't come in terms yet of a sudden death, he left behind two daughters and his parents and wife. Amit, working as an accountant in a firm, used to earn decent income. He was detected with thyroid before ten years. He had no other health issue. On April 13, he got himself tested as he had a high fever. He was tested negative. But the fever didn't stop. On April 15, he was advised by a family physician to get an X- ray and blood test reports done. He was again tested, and came negative for COVID. On April 19, his reports suggested effect of pneumonia on him. He visited his office next day and got quarantined. On April 21, his condition deteriorated and he was admitted by his office colleagues at the government hospital.
The family members were not allowed to visit him and they used to be in touch with each other through video calls. The oxygen and glucose bottles were given to him. He was on ventilator after a few days. On April 29, his oxygen level deteriorated and it was 84. At night, his family got a call from the hospital informing them of his death. The family was numb as they carried on the last rites. Vaishali made up her mind to run the house. She was considering to start tiffin services, but finally, she went for stitching. She had a sewing machine at her place and was also interested in it. Meanwhile, an office friend felt for the family and asked a colleague at the InfoAnalytica company office, to provide them help since he knew the company did such work under their CSR initiative. The members after proper scrutiny found their situation devastating and came forward to guide her.
They paid the fees of Rs 6,000 for her training in stitching for six months. She learnt making designer blouses, dresses, long gowns, dresses with collars and shirts, pants for children in various patterns. Vaishali has now kickstarted the work and began earning. But her troubles didn’t end there. Troubles mounted as she realized she couldn’t afford the fees for her elder daughter who studied in a private Gujarati medium school. The fees cost Rs 20,000 per year. The family were not in a position to pay the fees. Hence, InfoAnalytica Foundation also took up the responsibility to pay her yearly fee.
This eased her burden. However, the home loan taken by a son in a private bank had put the family in a fix. They were not in a position to pay the loan even in instalments. They asked the bank to waive off the home loan but the bank argued that insurance stated only nine major illnesses will be considered the cause of death to exempt the loan. Vaishali says, "We are receiving calls from bank. We are looking for a solution to it as we cannot pay such a huge amount. COVID19 should be considered major illnesses as it took away the life. We are living only because of our two daughters. We are having support from the office colleagues of my husband and InfoAnalytica Foundation. We could see some light in this darkness only because of them." They are in a hand to mouth situation. Home loan has been a huge burden on them. InfoAnalytica Foundation is also looking ways to helping them pay it off. Emotionally wrecked, the family aims to educate their daughters and finds some solace within. They are grateful for the timely assistance from the foundation.
