Mangaluru: A Saudi-based business family from Mangaluru are fulfilling their father’s dream by constructing 55 houses for underprivileged families. The project is spearheaded by the Karnire family, who run Expertise Contracting Co. in Saudi Arabia.Through the Haji KS Sayeed Karnire Charitable Trust, established by the children of the late Sayyed, the family is building these homes on a 2.5-acre plot dedicated to the initiative.These homes are provided to deserving families in Karnire near Padubidri who lack proper housing. According to Karnire family members who did not want to be named, the project is headed by six brothers. Each home, measuring 950sq ft, is fully furnished with modern amenities, including a kitchen, hall, two bedrooms, a washing machine, bed, dining table, chairs, and a sofa.“The trust was founded by us, and 2.5 acres of land was earmarked for the project. It was our father’s dream that we build houses for the poor in our village, where he was born and brought up. The project fulfils our father’s dream to provide shelter to the extremely poor, widows, orphans, and families in need, mainly from our community,” said one of the members of the trust.The project commenced a year ago, and has already handed over 14 houses to the needy. “Another 13 houses will be ready for occupation by the end of this year. The rest will be constructed in the next phase,” he said. Regarding how the beneficiaries are selected, the family members said that priority is given to local residents of Karnire, but deserving families from other communities are also considered. “When we receive an application, we conduct a site visit and select recipients based on recommendations,” they said. They added that their father, when alive, also built houses for the poor and helped in the renovation of dilapidated houses.The houses are not registered in the names of the occupants, preventing them from being sold or used as collateral for loans. This ensures the homes remain available for those who truly need them. The families are allowed to live there for as long as they wish.The trust also engages in other charitable activities, including providing monthly rations to poor families and covering dialysis cost for nearly four dozen kidney patients.
