DAYA– the Malayalam word for ‘kindness’.
Jayakrishnan, Founder of Daya, is the very personification of ‘DAYA’.
Hailing from Edamarku, he is the eldest of four children, born to Manikuttan (Kallanmani) who was a mason and Ratnamma from the Poovelil family in Edamarku of Melukavu Grama Panchayat. He is married to Minnie, a native of Erattupetta.
When he was 13, Jayakrishnan dropped out of school and begun working to support his family because his father could no longer do so. From odd jobs like breaking rocks and stones into aggregates, he later moved to working in a quarry. He soon began making millstones and grinding stones by himself. Even at his young age, Jayakrishnan was an enterprising boy – until tragedy struck.
On March 27, 2001, on his way to work, Jayakrishnan met with an automotive accident that left him paralyzed below the waist. At the time, his eldest son was 5 years old, and his daughter only 3 years. Some charitable neighbours and voluntary organizations helped piece together money to support him for his initial treatment and surgeries, which were conducted at Kottayam Medical College and Indo-American Hospital of Vaikam.
But soon, money began to run out and his wife took on work as a labourer to make ends meet. Living in a small house on 7 cents of land with little road access, the situation worsened. Treatment costs increased and they depended on the Karuna Palliative Care Society of Erattupetta, who provided medicines and food kits every month so his family could survive.
Jayakrishnan was bedridden for 4 years.
Depression and disappointment set in. He took refuge in reading the Bible, which led him to intensive Bible study. In the course of time, he made friends with other disabled patients who also suffered severe injuries, some paralyzed from the neck down. As someone who was constantly seeking a way to make peace with his own pain, Jayakrishnan listened to their stories, truly understanding their pain and misery.
He realized that his life may not be able to change, but he was determined to ease the pain and lives of his friends and fellow-sufferers.
God's grace shone through in the help of Sylvie Chechi Iypenparampil and Sabu Parayankuzhi who helped him purchase a three-wheeler Honda Activa scooter, outfitted for his disability. Now, Jayakrishnan was mobile and able to move. He enrolled in the self-employment training program of Kidangoor Palliative Care and learned how to manufacture soap, soap powder and other products. He became a type of wholesale dealer, purchasing these items in bulk and selling to friends and neighbours.
By God’s grace, Jayakrishnan’s business thrived and he was making enough money to support his family. Filled with gratitude, he decided to pass the support and love he received forward. Not long after, people would see Jayakrishnan racing around in his 3-wheeler assisting others like him with anything they needed – be it wheelchairs, foodkits, medicines, or household items.
In combating his own darkness, depression and disappointment, Jayakrishnan found a way to be a light to helpless who needed hope. It wasn’t long before he was tending to the needs of 50 patients. Jayakrishnan’s work was morphing into a palliative care group for bedridden people.
He named this group ‘Daya’.
In September 2020, a kind man, farmer and agriculturalist, Shri Rajeev Kallarackal, visited this small palliative care center. With his support and effort, they turned this modest group into a full-fledged palliative care organization with a signboard proudly announcing DAYA, Palliative Care for the Physically Challenged.
Today, Daya takes care of 150 patients who are paralyzed waist-down, providing them whatever assistance they need. The center is run under the guidance of Rev. Jacob Murikkal (Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Pala) and Rt. Rev. Dr. K. J Samuel (CSI East Kerala Former Moderator).
Blessed by the Patron Saint of Kindness, Fr. Augustine Peedikamala, and with God’s grace, Daya is growing into one of the biggest organisations in Kerala that care for patients at home.
As for Jayakrishnan's family: His 5-year-old boy is now employed, and his dear daughter holds a Masters in Commerce, and dedicates her time and knowledge to supporting Daya and amplifying her father’s purpose.
