Five months after the devastating floods, children in the flood-hit regions in Ernakulam seem to have left behind the trauma and are now actively back to normal life.
Teachers, mental health experts and parents to whom The Hindu spoke said school atmosphere filled with fun and learning modules and companionship had helped them erase the painful memories of the floods. “We had tried the creative path by requesting children to write on their experience and also about the flood days. Many were reluctant initially, but later came up with detailed notes on how they lost their books and bags in the rushing waters. We have treasured these notes,” said P.S. Chandrika, Headmistress of P.S.M. Govt. Lower Primary School, Puthenvelikara. Teachers had taken special care by spending additional time with the flood-hit children, besides attending to their emotional needs regularly. Ms. Chandrika said that they used to have periodic interactions with the children.
T. V. Jaljakumari, Principal of Govt. HSS, Chowara near Aluva, pointed out that her students from the flood-hit regions had already left the memories of the floods behind. “They are all now actively pursuing their studies. We had provided them with all necessary support,” she said.
Asked whether the floods may occur again, students said that the chances were remote. “My parents had told me that the flood that hit us before the August incident was way back in July, 1924. Hence we feel that the next flood may not occur soon,” they said.
C.J. John, senior psychiatrist, said children have better recovery capabilities and many were already free of the trauma of the floods. “Schools have systems in place to help them get over the crisis. We have come across children who returned to normalcy shortly after they returned to their schools,” he said.
Mental health experts had urged teachers to help the flood-hit children by writing notes for them.
Teachers said that children who were not affected by the floods had volunteered to write notes and also help their flood-hit companions with the new portions.
