In March this year I visited Muttom for the second time. It was so good to spend two weeks with Sister Selvi and the children at The St. Adrian's Reachout Centre. I saw many changes in the village since my last trip in April 2005. Selvi has already made a huge difference to the lives of the 30 children that she has been caring for. Their schoolteachers have commented on the all round improvement in their development and attitudes.
The greatest excitement during my stay was the start of the construction of the new Centre on a beautiful site overlooking the sea. We were able to take the children to see the JCB digging the foundations. They were so happy to see that they will soon be able to enjoy the benefits of having lots of space to run and play as well as the facilities which the new Centre will offer them.
It was not just the children that were so thrilled because two more exciting developments happened that will provide opportunities for young people and adults from the village. Hopefully a tailoring project can be started making Fair Trade clothes for sale in U.K. outlets. Selvi’s brother found 2 young women, who are qualified tailors and 2 trainees from the village. They were able to make sample garments and were very enthusiastic about the possibility of future employment. Secondly. Alistsair Munro, from Selling, contacted Selvi with the proposition of setting up a workshop at the Centre producing wooden crafts to bring more employment to the people of Muttom. This is so important as the Tsunami destroyed the fishing grounds, so the men do not have jobs and their families have no income.
Despite the fact that only one of the three refugee camps remains (a Spanish aid organisation has built new houses), there is much hardship and suffering. There is a march from this whole area of southern India of men who are walking to Chennai (about 250 miles) to arrive just before the National elections in May. Their aim is to embarrass the government as this coastline has been so neglected since the tsunami. People are still feeling the effects psychologically and emotionally. I was able to treat some of the women and children suffering from these scars with massage. I was extremely touched by the way the children at the Centre responded to a session that I had with them teaching them how to give each other simple massages.
The children are now on their summer holidays giving Selvi a little time to recharge her batteries and to make plans for the move to the new site. The contractor has promised Selvi that the building should be sufficiently complete so that they can move in at the beginning of June. Sister Selvi's dream is about to become a reality. Please do continue to support her. We are so close to raising all the money to complete the project. Thank you for all that has been achieved so far.
Sue Collingwood
Chigwell, Essex
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