Kochi-based Sister Lizzy Chakkalakkal completed building her 180th home for the homeless in Kerala, through the House Challenge initiative.
Sister Lizzy began the House Challenge initiative in 2012 to address the problem of homelessness in Kerala. (Supplied)
Charity may begin at home, but it takes an entire community to build one in the first place. Doing this work is Kochi’s Sister Lizzy Chakkalakkal, who recognised the state’s prevailing problem of homelessness.
The 2022 data from the district poverty alleviation unit estimates that Ernakulam district alone has 5,650 people living in poverty. Many of them reside in rented facilities and others still live on the street. In God’s Own Country, it’s a reality of dichotomies.
While hundreds sleep at night without a roof over their heads, Sister Lizzy has been spending sleepless nights to address this alarming issue in the state. Her work began in 2012.
Twelve years later, on 16 July 2023, Kochi celebrated the 180th house she built with the help of a network of contributors, who followed her each step of the way, in her House Challenge initiative.
Shashi Tharoor extending his appreciation to Sister Lizzy. (Supplied)
The House Challenge traces its roots back to the platinum jubilee year (2012) of Our Lady’s Convent Girls High School (OLCGHS), Thoppumpady, Kochi.
As principal of the school, Sister Lizzy thought it was most appropriate to celebrate the momentous occasion by building a house for one of her pupils. The student had recently lost her father, leaving her family homeless.
Sister Lizzy personally visited local shops and also approached fellow teachers and parents of the school. “Fortune favours the brave” might be a frayed expression, but not for Sister Lizzy. Her tenacity and her purpose found traction in successfully gathering funds to build her first house for her student.
This was the beginning of her resolve to address the crisis of homelessness across Kerala.
“I feel so happy and I believe that there is so much good in the world,” she told South First. From working with a team of her teachers and close companions to inspiring organisations and social groups to join her mission — Sister Lizzy has seen the House Challenge grow from an effort to help a single student to a collective movement towards social transformation.
Shashi Tharoor at the celebration of the 180th house completion. (Supplied)
“I have confidence in the goodness of people and I believe that if we work together, we can make miracles a reality,” she said.
At the modest ceremony on 16 July, House Challenge coordinator and teacher of OLCGHS, Lilly Paul dedicated the initiative’s success to each individual’s equally valuable involvement, irrespective of form and capability.
When it was her turn to address the gathering, Sister Lizzy spared no breath to express her gratitude to every individual who spent their time and effort towards this challenge.
“Everything is a miracle in the House Challenge,” she said, delivering a single-line introduction. She dedicated the remainder of her speech to name and acknowledge each individual for their intervention.
From Joseph Paul George, who sponsored the 180th house, to Edakochi-based Viji, who provided the doors for the house — her gratitude made space for everyone on the dais.
Shashi Tharoor meeting members of the House Challenge team. (Supplied)
Attending the ceremony as chief guest, Shashi Tharoor revealed that upon meeting Sister Lizzy for the first time that day, he was astounded that a person of such small stature could house such a big heart.
He commended her and OLCGHS’s endeavour to achieve “social transformation through education” as a project that has never before been implemented by a school in the state.
Tharoor confessed that politicians and bureaucrats involved in “jana-seva” would feel humiliated in the presence of Sister Lizzy’s work. His supportive presence and heartfelt appreciation of the House Challenge reiterated the ceremony as a testament to humility and service.
“Social transformation is the mission’s core spirit. One cannot claim that a city or state is developing if people living there do not have access to the basic need of shelter,” Sister Lizzy shared with South First.
Houses, under construction, on one of the plots of land donated by a supporter. (Supplied)
Allowing a person to live with dignity creates a ripple effect that leads to the empowerment of the individual, family and ultimately, society.
Kochi’s rapid urbanisation has pushed a major proportion of its citizens out from the mainstream. This has widened the financial gap, worries Sister Lizzy.
The purpose of the House Challenge is to bring this proportion back to the mainstream, by acting as a “bridge between the haves and the have-nots.”
“Everybody should be happy, not just a few,” Sister Lizzy said.
Several individuals approach Sister Lizzy asking for guidance and lessons learned from the House Challenge initiative. Since many live on land owned by the government, land donation is also crucial, she asserted.
Supporters of the House Challenge Initiative. (Supplied)
Scores of individuals and families have made generous contributions, on condition of anonymity. In turn, this has helped the House Challenge team to provide land to the landless, along with a constructed house.
In Vypin, 72 cents of land was donated on which 16 houses were built. Additionally, 20 cents of land was donated in Piravom, on which seven houses were constructed.
Currently, projects are underway in both Chalakudy and Perumbavoor where one acre of land has been donated.
“This is the network of goodness,” Sister Lizzy said, which has grown beyond the walls of her school, reaching different districts of the state.
“Why do I do it through schools? Because I want to include a new generation,” she informed us. Students and teachers of OLCGHS contribute whatever they can to the House Challenge.
Students celebrate their birthdays by giving a contribution instead of a treat. A few of them make weekly pilgrimages to the charity box to donate a rupee or more from their savings.
As a school under the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM) congregation, OLCGHS echoes their philosophy. Human values are prioritised over academics to ensure students imbibe the habit of helping one another.
The need of the hour is to have more ‘Sister Lizzys’, said Joseph Paul George, who sponsored the 180th house. “Anyone who is well-off can contribute financially, but without more Sister Lizzys, there won’t be more houses.”
(If you’d like to enquire about supporting the House Challenge initiative, contact Sister Lizzy Chakkalakkal at +91 94950 78723.)
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