In May, we opened the St Adrian's Reachout Centre in a small rented house in Lighthouse Street, Muttom. Since the opening 25 children who are still living in the refugee camp, come daily to the Centre to be with Sister Selvi and her helper. When they arrive after school at 3 o'clock they have a snack, then settle down to homework followed by playtime, songs, stories and support with their worries from Sister Selvi. At 7, the cook serves a nourishing meal and they leave after prayers at 8pm. The children come to the Centre all day on Saturday! Just as well Sister Selvi was a headmistress! The parents are so very happy with the security, love and help that Sister Selvi and her helpers are giving the children, there are always more parents bringing their children begging her to take them as well. But the premises in Lighthouse Street are just too small to take any more little people. Often there are tears!
Several of the women have asked Sister Selvi if she can help them to earn some money. They now realise they will have to learn to help themselves. Traditionally Indian women are full time homemakers but the Tsunami has put such a strain on the old certainties of plentiful fish and men able to earn enough money to support their families that the women are becoming more resourceful. Sister Selvi has tailoring skills so with help from generous donors in Selling she has bought two sewing machines and sewing classes are starting in the morning before the children arrive. A simple hand sewing machine costs about £30.
Initially the plan had been to build the Community Centre on land donated by Sister Selvi's brother Nazrene and we were trying to raise £15000 for the building. In the event Sister Selvi has had to look elsewhere for land. Photos of the land show that she has found a splendid piece of land overlooking the sea, one acre, walled and very suitable for the new St Adrian's Reachout Centre. It is currently owned by a Trust which is eager for her to buy for the project. She has put down a deposit of £5000 knowing that at £20000 it is a lot of money for us all to raise. However she plans to sell the good timber on the land and apparently she has been approached by people eager to buy a plot. The land is on the hillside well away from any threat from Tsunami's. Her vision is to create a small tourist guesthouse alongside the Community Centre enabling the villagers to have work and employment and give ongoing finance for the Centre. It certainly is a very beautiful coastline and so far untouched by the tourism that dominates the coast 40 kms further north. It can't be long before developers arrive!
I am so grateful to you all for your wonderful generosity. We have had some amazing donations totalling £15,982.20 in all. Fantastic! A particularly big thank you to ten year old Oliver for doing a sponsored swim and raising £350, Coleta for her sponsored swim, Jenny and Peter for donating their wedding presents and Adrian for his birthday money!
Adrian and I are off to Muttom on November 14 to see how things are going. We are very excited and will take your love and good wishes with us to Sr Selvi, Nazarene and the villagers. So far Sue, Louise, Claire, Catherine, Freddie, Kate, Ian and Peter have been to visit Muttom and Derina goes in December. You would all be very welcome!
With love and sincere thanks
Jill
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