THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: ‘Konniyamma’ aka Valsala Kumari is a maid at ‘Thiruvananthapuram Sisu Kshema Samithi (Kerala State Council for Child Welfare). For a service that extended long 36 years, Valsalakumari has been a mother for many kids here. The end of this month will also mark the end of her life as a maid here at 58 years of age.

When she joined Sisu Kshema Samithi at the age of 23 in the year 1983, her wage was Rs 3. There was no ‘Ammathottil’ back then. Babies that are left at hospitals and other places are taken to Samithi. Valsalakumari has seen quite a lot in her life. Babies left by mothers for so many reasons. In this life, her husband had to look after their own kids. He was supportive. Her daughter Athira understood the nature of her mother’s job, while son Abhilash always wanted his mother. In 2013, Valsalakumari was given the charge of Samithi’s ‘Crush’.