RESTORATION

A SHOULDER TO LEAN ON AND AN EAR TO LISTEN
Since the tsunami was catastrophic in its effect on these areas, we realized that the people needed some grief counseling to deal with this immense trauma - and that was the next stage in our relief work. Over 200 volunteers have been enlisted to handle this rather sensitive task. They have been trained and sent into these villages – in fact a team of counselors are sent every day to each village that we cover. 

REBUILDING : A NEW BEGINNING
Once the immediate needs were met, we realized that there was much more to be done. One could not just walk away from all of this – their lives were in shambles and needed painstaking re-building. 
First, we conducted 7 consultations with various village leaders to help draw up a vision and a plan to develop their villages so they can be self reliant. We realize that we are only the agents of change. The vision must come from them. 

Fishing was the main livelihood of the people here. Many men were terrified of going back into the sea to fish – and we realized that it will be a while before they do. In the meantime, a “Food for Work” program to provide them food was set up in four villages. Food coupons worth about $2 were given each day to people who work to help re-build their communities. The work that they do, would be simple tasks like making nets and the like which would help them get back on their feet. The coupons that they earned could be redeemed at food distribution centers that have been set up in these villages. We have also been able to buy over 1000 kilograms of material that could be used to make nets and have given these to the villagers to work with. We are also in the task of developing micro-enterprises along with the men and the women of these villages so they can become self reliant.