Oh dear Jill! On 15th we had very good blessing and prayers by our parish priest. Our children and their mothers and brothers come to the school. There were 75 people in this small house. It was very joyful to everyone because each one could feel the warmth of love by being in the small place. We had a tea party with cake, biscuits, chips, bananas and tea. And a special sweet was prepared for the children which they enjoyed.
After the tea party we all went to the open roof of the house. This is the only place where we all could sit together. Then the children danced. Two girls sang of their experience in the centre. One of the staff spoke in English saying the young girls and children are the most affected and facing the Tsunami every day. He said it's a guidance of our sister Selvi, who is inspired by God, to touch our broken life. We are grateful to God and to this centre, we wish that many more people to support to this centre to help many more like us.
Continue reading "House Warming" »
First the Bad news. Sister Selvi writes regularly and graphically about the situation in the village. Apparently there have been a number of freak waves recently and the men are very frightened to go fishing. The rains have come and conditions in the camps are very bad. Dwellings are flooded, the electricity fails and the young women are frightened and have no privacy. Disease is spreading. So far there is no sign of the Government building new homes or providing the fishing boats they promised. There is much despair and anger.
The Good news is that Sister Selvi has opened and registered the St Adrian’s Reachout Centre. She is renting a small property in the village and today 15 June she is having an inauguration ceremony. From 2 June, 20 children are coming for day care. They have all lost mothers or fathers. Many more children want to come. but the building is too small. A cook provides them with good food and Selvi writes to say they love to sing and dance and are beginning to tell their stories about the Tsunami. In addition, six girls are attending English lessons at the Centre. The teachers are provided by Teachers Abroad. Money has been sent specifically to buy two sewing machines for the young women. So far, setting up the computer has proved to be difficult. Installing a phone line is notoriously complicated, but Selvi assures me that it will be in by the end of the month.
Continue reading "Bad News, Good News" »
