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Kollam: The COVID lockdown did not give a moment to rest for Kureepuzha Francis as he was busy waking up at 5.30 am every day and supplying masks to people for free. He conducts COVID awareness classes regularly. This has been his habit since March 21 when Janta Curfew was imposed.

Francis is a social studies teacher at Kollam Sankaramangalam higher secondary school and in-charge of student police cadet. He has distributed about 2 lakh masks for free. He started his service even before masks were made mandatory. He is also a winner of the National Award to Teachers.

Francis used to skip even food during his service in the initial days. He travelled about 4000 kilometres so far in bike and auto rickshaws. He spent Rs 4 lakh he earned after an LIC policy matured, for COVID resistance activities. He also contributed Rs 25,000 to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF).

Apart from this, Francis also gave television for six students of his school to help them follow online class aired on Victers channel. The masks are sewed by three tailors in his neighbourhood. When these masks were insufficient, he went on purchasing readymade masks and distributed it free.

Sanitizer, hand wash and soap also are supplied free of cost. Francis was also active in relief activities during the flood havoc in last two years. His wife Valsalakumari is a head teacher of Sooranad GHS School. Their only son Neeraj Soorya is a plus two student.