Dallas (USA) | Time calls those who create examples through their own lives and actions great. Phillip Chamathil, who is well-known to American Malayalees, is a person who deserves this title through his own life activities - the president who led the Federation of Malayalee Associations of Americas (FOMAA) from 2018-2020. Philip's name is written in golden letters in the minds of American Malayalees because of a rich service period.
Philip Chamathil, who lives in Dallas, has dedicated own life fully for each activities of the social service. The life of Philip Chamathil, the son of C C Chacko, who was Chengannur postmaster and businessman, and Pennamma, is an inspiration to anyone.
Always ready to serve
He was an officer in the mechanical department of American Airlines for three decades. He is also running his own healthcare organization for seventeen years. During this period, service activities were also given importance.
He has reached the top position of FOMAA after working at the regional and national level, also active in Dallas' social and cultural scene.
When Philip got to the top, he insisted that the recording of FOMAA all over the world should be done in the name of charity work. Not only he wished but he achieved that goal as well.
A great goal during flood
During the 2018 floods, FOMAA's philanthropic activities extended to Kerala as well. After assuming office as the president, efforts were being made to coordinate FOMAA's activities in Kerala. It is during this period flood shook Kerala.
Colleagues Jayle Kannachamparambil, Vincent Bose, Saju and Sasidharan Nair were also there in the home town. We came forward with the aim of providing help to all those who are suffering. Food grains and cleaning equipment were delivered to more than 10,000 people in four districts. The pain of those who left their homes and shifted to the relief camp brought tears to their eyes. Another great goal was born from the thought of needing a way out. There is no one who feels peace like the one who sleeps in the shade of his own house. It was under Philip's leadership that he embarked on the great task of preparing the house. That is how the FOMAA Village project started under the leadership of Philip Chamathil.
40 houses through village project
Philip's mind is still filled with the first National Committee convened in America after reaching back from the flood relief operations in Kerala. The FOMAA Village project was presented in that committee. A moment of realization that there are many good-hearted people. Paulose Kuyiladan, a member of the National Committee from Florida, supported the idea.
Another member, Noel Mathew, agreed to donate his one-acre property in Nilambur for the FOMAA Village project. It was a good start. The Thiruvalla, Kadapra & Malappuram projects were completed in 2019 and handed over key.
Followed by a comprehensive village committee was formed with Anian George, Unnikrishnan, Joseph Auso, Biju Thonikadavil, Noel Mathew etc., as members. Apart from this committee, through the joint efforts of FOMAA National Committee and FOMAA Regions, forty houses were built and given to those who lost their homes in the flood.
P. B. Nooh, who was the district collector of Pathanamthitta at that time, Kadapra Panchayat President, members, Panchayat workers who are part of the Malappuram project, Noel's local friends, American Malayalee friends, etc. joined this project of FOMAA and the village project came to fruition. There are still those who stood with us for the greater cause. Former DGP Jacob Punnoos, Adv. R. Sanalkumar, Kadapra Grama Panchayat President Shibu Varghese, FOMAA Village Project Coordinator Anil Uzhathil etc., all extended whole hearted support.
The support from American Malayalees, FOMAA General Secretary Jose Abraham, Treasurer Shinu Joseph, Vice President Vincent Bose Mathew, Jt. Secretary Saju Joseph and Jt. Treasurer Jain Kannachan Parambil became the capital to complete the village project. Philip also remembers Kozhikode Thanal with gratitude for their services rendered by taking the helm of the construction works of FOMAA Thiruvalla Village Project.
FOMAA's service functions never end
FOMAA Village Project is also the first project to be completed under the Nava Keralam scheme of the Government of Kerala. On June 2, 2019, during the Kerala Convention, the construction of all the houses was completed and the keys were handed over.
It is certain that it will become the biggest housing project in Kerala as the forthcoming committees of FOMAA are taking this forward as a continuing project.
Medical camps in four districts
Around 30 medical experts were brought from America and 20 medical camps were conducted in four districts. The medical camps were led by Jiju Kulangara in collaboration with the volunteer organization "Let Them Smile Again" in Houston.
At Kumbanad Fellowship Hospital, around 30 needy people were also given free general surgery, the best experience during the pandemic. During the 2017 Harvey disaster, when Houston was covered by water, he was able to bring a truckload of supplies from Dallas to Houston and join his friends in cleaning activities. Unforgettable experiences in Philip's life.
Help for students too
During his tenure as president, Philip Chamathil distributed a scholarship of Rs.55, 000 each to 55 nursing students. The scholarship scheme, which provided assistance to underprivileged students, was conducted under the leadership of Rekha Nair, Women's Forum of FOMAA. A scheme for employment to poor women was also implemented at that time. Philip Chamathil was also able to attract young people to FOMAA. About 200 Malayalee students were organized and FOMAA's Students' Forum was formed at the University of Texas Dallas. The continuation of the educational activities initiated by FOMAA through the agreement with Grant Canyon University, located in Phoenix, Arizona benefited the students a lot. Through the agreement, students were given fifteen percent discount on more than 200 courses.
Ingrained leadership qualities
FOMAA's actions during the Covid pandemic are also commendable. Helpline under the leadership of FOMAA workers, agriculture lessons under the leadership of Shelfi Mani, coordination of artists, coordination of travel facilities related to the consulate etc. were successfully implemented. For the first time online drama competition was also conducted under the leadership of FOMAA. Task forces have been formed in all 12 regions of FOMAA in the wake of Covid. Transportation and consular requirements for repatriation of many people were handled through this task force. Philip Chamathil gratefully remembers Union Minister V. Muraleedharan's help in this regard. Philip Chamathil’s leadership was able to conduct FOMAA General Body and online elections transparently for the first time in its history by including more than 500 delegates on Zoom. It was an election in which 100 percent of the delegates voted.
He has worked in many capacities like Dallas Malayalee Association President, Trustee Board Chairman, FOMAA National Committee Member, Finance Committee Chairman and many other positions. A founding member, trustee, secretary, silver jubilee chairman, committee member for many years and auditor of Dallas St. George Orthodox Church, the list of services goes on for him. The roots of these leadership qualities were established when he started organizational work as the constituency president of the Congress.
From 2nd to 4th June 2019 FOMAA Kerala Convention was organized at FOMAA Village. Saji Abraham was the chairman of the program organized as a public convention. Ministers including Dr. T M Thomas Isaac, Arif MP, MLAs, prominent people in social and cultural fields and others participated in the convention.
Family as strong support
Behind Philip Chamathil's success in life is his supportive family. Wife Rachel Philip (daughter of Karthikapally Pandampurath P P Philip and Thangamma Philip) and sons Royce Philip, Ronnie Philip and Ryan Philip contributed imparting power to the service activities. Philip Chamathil's great works do not end. He is a person who has made service his life mission. He continues his life's mission, without pause, as a helper to the distressed, a support to the needy, and a strong leader.