
VIRUDHUNAGAR: The sun rose over Mamsapuram just like any other day last September 27, casting a golden glow on a village unaware of the storm that lay ahead. It was a morning filled with the mundane warmth of routine, as over 35 residents waved off their loved ones who boarded a minibus. Within hours, frantic calls shattered the calm, delivering the harrowing news of an accident. The minibus had veered off a narrow road near the primary health centre, plunging into a pit. The crash left four dead, including three students, and 27 others grievously injured. The air was thick with grief and chaos as families rushed to the scene.
Amid the turmoil, J Jessila Angeline emerged as a beacon of hope. The 35-year-old CEO of the Srivilliputhur-based NGO, We Vitamin Global, Jessila and her team were already onsite, offering solace and action. Spotting the critically injured 19-year-old Puviraj, Jessila swiftly coordinated with doctors and arranged urgent medical care in Madurai. Even months later, she remains a pillar of support for Puviraj’s family. “Jessila’s presence was a miracle. She saved my nephew’s life,” says S Ramasamy, Puviraj’s uncle.
This was not Jessila’s first act of heroism. A year earlier, she had come to the rescue of a college student from Andhra Pradesh, stranded after an accident. With the student’s parents miles away, Jessila ensured he received medical care and stayed by his side until his family arrived. Such tales of compassion are the essence of her work, which spans more than a decade and touches countless lives. Jessila’s odyssey began 10 years ago with a visit to an orphanage. What was meant to be a joyful celebration of a family member’s birthday turned into a life-altering moment. She heard the story of an eight-month-old baby orphaned by her parents’ suicide. “I knew then that no one should feel so hopeless. Mental health awareness became my mission,” Jessila recalls.
After volunteering at another NGO, Jessila and her husband established We Vitamin Global in 2019. Their journey began with workshops on mental health for college students, gradually evolving to address broader societal challenges, from hunger to environmental conservation.
In a world often consumed by indifference, Jessila’s initiatives are a symphony of care. One of her enduring programmes involves providing daily lunches to the homeless and abandoned. “During the Covid-19 lockdown, I saw people starving. I couldn’t turn away,” she shares. For the past four years, her team has served meals to an average of 40 people daily.
Environmental preservation is another chord in Jessila’s symphony. Her team undertakes bi-monthly forest cleanups, tree plantations, and internships for horticulture students, fostering a love for nature among the youth. From distributing festive clothing to the underprivileged to cremating unclaimed bodies, Jessila’s compassion knows no bounds.
Jessila’s efforts are not just about immediate relief but about nurturing a culture of humanity. Take the elderly woman abandoned at the Srivilliputhur bus stop as an example. Jessila’s team, with local police, reunited her with her family, only to witness her abandonment again within days. “We need to rebuild humanity at its core,” Jessila says, her voice carrying both determination and sorrow.
Her work has planted seeds of hope and activism among many. Inspired by her dedication, numerous youth and adults have joined We Vitamin Global as volunteers. Many of these individuals, once beneficiaries of her kindness, now champion her mission, proving that compassion is contagious. As she looks to the future, Jessila dreams of building orphanages and old-age homes. “There is so much more to do,” she declares with quiet resolve. Though an event planner by profession, Jessila’s true calling lies in transforming lives and mending broken spirits.
In a village that once drowned in grief, Jessila Angeline has become a symbol of resilience and hope. Her journey reminds us that even in the face of tragedy, compassion can rise like a phoenix, lighting the way for others. As Jessila spreads her wings of hope, she invites us all to dream, act, and believe in the power of humanity.
(Edited by Meghna Murali)