DanChurchAid
India
Rebuilding lives after the tsunami
Govindan was at the seashore taking out waste from the fishing net while wife Nilavati was selling fish. When the huge tidal waves came, it dragged them apart. While Govindan saved his life by hanging onto a palm tree, Nilavati ran to a nearby hut.
They started searching for their children who were in the house. The children had ran 15 km and taken shelter in a temple. For 15 days they stayed in a relief camp inside a school. Now they are staying at a relative’s place till they get permanent house from us.
Govindan’s boat and house were completely damaged. Initially he had to struggle hard to keep his family going. He borrowed from relatives and depended on relief given by the government and NGOs:
"They are our beneficiaries for relief, livelihood support and permanent housing".
While Lutheran World Service - India relief kits comprising garments, utensils, sanitation items and students’ kit assisted them in resuming normal life, the livelihood kit comprising boat, engine, nets and other fishing accessories, like rope, leads and floats, enabled Govindan to get back to work and the sea again. Each LWSI boat is given to five fisher families who form a Self Help Group. They are registered with the government fisheries department.
If Govindan is not earning as much as he was earning before, he is at least earning enough to make ends meet. Now Nilavati and Govindan are waiting for the permanent house they would receive from LWSI where they can move in with their children and rebuild their home all over again.
By Rina Chunder, Information/Documentation Officer, Lutheran World Service - India
India
