A Very Big thank you to everyone who has so generously donated money to the Muttom Tsunami Appeal. Since we launched the Appeal on April 15 you have given £3950, which is fantastic, and means that we have taken the step of telling Sister Selvi, the Project Director, to start the building project. They are happy to build according to the money available. The plans for the St Adrian Reach Out Centre are drawn and ready and Nazarene, Sr Selvi’s brother, has given the land for his villagers. The building will be single storey to start with but we plan to ensure the foundations are adequate to enable a second storey to be added as and when. The building will cost approximately £15,000.
Our friend Sue Collingwood from Chigwell has returned from her visit to Muttom determined to help us raise the money so we are not alone and I feel sure that God is on our side!
Many villagers were coming to Sister Selvi for help so she decided to start the project in a small way from a rented property using money we had already provided. She is established at Edwin Illam, Lighthouse St, Muttom and has registered the project with the Indian Government. An FRCA Bank account is available for the transfer of money under the auspices of a religious Sister in Nagercoil who does social work in the area. Selvi will apply to the government for her own project account but this takes three years to complete!
Selvi emails to say that she is taking care of 8 elderly widows who come to the Centre for the day. They come at 8am have breakfast, lunch and supper and leave at 7pm. Some children are also coming, enjoying songs and play. The computer training will begin in June. Selvi will be employing a helper with the meals, a computer teacher and a field worker who is going into the camps to support the homeless.
There is obviously much suffering and trauma in the village. People are still very scared of the sea and many men are too frightened to go fishing and don’t want to go for other sorts of day work. People want to stay close to home and their relatives. Selvi is very concerned that the villagers have become dependent on handouts and are seeking help from other people rather than making an effort for themselves. She is hoping that the field worker may be able to help.
Selvi sends love and grateful thanks to you all. It makes such a lot of difference to them all to know that we are caring for the villagers and supporting Muttom. I have just emailed her to tell her that someone in Selling has given money for a sewing machine so hopefully she will soon be able to start a little tailoring school for the young women. Rachel from Selling is going to stay with Sr Selvi in July to offer her massage skills, which is wonderful.
We have had some splendid offers of fund raising events. Thank you and if you would like to get involved in any way please contact us.
Please send donations to Jill Hemmings, Beech Tree Cottage, Selling ME13 9RH cheques payable to The Bede Griffiths Charitable Trust
Jill and Adrian
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