| Caritas India | | O n e Y e a r I n t e g r a l R e p o r t | |
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| | | | | Silent Night, Holy Night. All is calm, all is bright……….Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Sleep in Heavenly Peace……. Little did so many thousands who sang or heard this melody on Christmas Day 2004 know, that indeed even before the
strains of the hymn could die out, they would sleep in heavenly peace! As we take stock of the year gone by, when we have been accompanying closely the communities in the Tsunami devastated areas of Tamilnadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, we are left with awe at the hope that dominates the hearts of the affected families, who have overcome the waves of trauma and despair. The results of Caritas' response are clearly visible to the world, since they are monitored by our local and global partners. 76,864 children speak up for the support that they have received through educational kits, activity centres and trauma care, germinating new seeds of hope and life in their tender hearts. The entire seascape of the fishing communities has changed as they have been provided 1,109 new boats, 1,001 boat engines, 1,737 boats repaired and 34,549 fishing nets. This, together with appropriate gadgets and community-based support has enabled the fisher folk to plunge into the seas and catch fish in abundance. 7,974 people have undergone vocational training in order to venture into new alternatives in the livelihood sector and more people are in the process of being trained. At the level of rural communities, 1,854 new self-help groups have also been formed to initiate local self-governance in the areas of livelihood, permanent housing as well as psycho-social care. Out of the proposed 17,360 houses for the Tsunami homeless, nearly, 2,000 families would be st able to move into new homes by the 1anniversary of the Tsunami. Further, an inter-disciplinary team undertook an integrated evaluation study, the findings of which have brought out new learnings, which we intend to incorporate in
the ongoing implementation. The future lies really in linking relief and rehabilitation efforts with the long-term development programme of the communities. The vision of community-based disaster preparedness, henceforth would take prime importance and the road-map for this has already been set. As we arrive at the 1 anniversary of the Tsunami, we are greatly inspired and motivated by the resilience and hope of the grassroot communities. Caritas network is immensely proud of the results of its outreach and assistance. We place on record our appreciation to the Network Partners for their unconditional support and to all those who have contributed generously. As the new year approaches, we resolve to move ahead with enhanced dedication to rebuild lives and reconstruct a new social order, in which the hearts of the affected people resonate the joyful chorus 'Gloria in excelsis Deo !' | | | | | | | Fr. John L. Noronha
Executive Director | | | |
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| | | | | | | To them the world looked like an
awful place…tsunami had left them
'bereaved'… 'bereavement', which is Tone of the most difficult, painful, and draining experiences. Their world had crumbled leaving them empty, sad, and confused. Tsunami was even more sudden and threatening event for the children. It
disturbed their basic assumption about the world; that the world is a safe and controllable place. Their reactions were all the more intense since they did not understand what is going on around them and the adults- supposed to be their role
models were themselves in a gloom.
People have remarkable capabilities to overcome crisis using their own inner resources with support of the friends and the loved ones. Caritas India | | | | |
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| The sea had snatched
my future | | The Tsunami waves have
carried away my future and it is
in the sea now.” 20-year-old
Arulmozhi, daughter of
Chellappan and Muthulakshmi
o f K a n a g a c h e t t i ku l a m ,
Pondicherry was swept away by
the killer waves for about 50
meters and was hit against a
wall. With a prolonged stay of 3 | | months in the hospital and with 6 surgeries to correct her respiratory system, she feels very low and cut off. Her windpipe is punctured and a tube is inserted at the outset to help her breathe better. Arulmozhi suffers from “SUBGLOTTIC STENOSIS- due to prolonged drowning into the seawater. She needs to undergo two more surgeries that would cost her an earth. Her elder brother too is missing and the entire family is going through hell. Caritas psychosocial support worker approached her and built an empathetic relationship with her, encouraging her to be with the village peer group. | | Martin | | | | recognized this and offered to be that
special friend…that concerned aide. Our
psycho-social experts were hopeful that
what people are feeling today they will not
feel tomorrow, next week or next month.
Post Traumatic Stress and high-risk behaviors forced us to formulate a long-term strategy for psychosocial interventions. Caritas India entered into partnership with rural organisation dealing in psychological health organizations like SAARTHAK and CHAI. Our partners in various dioceses have been able to offer support like individual
and family counseling, empathetic listening, medical help, and referrals for professional help springing new hope in the lives of the affected - Sr. Roselyn K., Coordinator Psycho-Social Support Sector, Tsunami Coordination Office, Chennai. | | Highlights of Psycho-Social Care activities: | | 200 psychosocial support workers have been trained in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra and Andamans. | | Bern alberghi scontatiBuilding empathetic and trust worthy relationship with communities | | Identifying problems, needs, risks in the communities. | | Making communities aware of their rights and available resources; and gradually link them to these resources. | | Creating enabling & protective environment for girls and children. | | Analyzing children's psychological needs & conducting child centered activities. | | Making referrals for professional help for psychological and physical needs. | | | | | |
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| | | | Wounded Healers
working in empathetic solidarity | 25 year old Sumathi from Car Nicobar
island experienced hanting nights after
Tsunami. The horrific sounds of
speeding (at 500 kms. Per hour) of
Tsunami wave and cries of human
agony kept on replaying on her mind,
every night as she closed her eyes to
catch up some sleep. Such
hallucinations made her jump out of
sleep and stare into nothingness.
Sumathi along with her husband and
child survived the tsunami and were | | Sr. Annamma with
Sumathi and Nisha | | | brought to Bamboo flat relief camp
along with 2,500 other survivors.
Anorexia, insomnia and apathy drained her physical and mental energies day by day, until Sr. Annamma walked into her
portals of trauma and fear to talk her out of it. After a few days of patient listening and talking, Sr. Annamma testifies in amazement, “She`s just out of all recognition, I hardly believe it`s the same woman I met weeks before. Just look at her shining eyes and her bright smile. And did you notice the way she is
enjoying her work?” It took Annama a lot of patience to reach Sumathi`s soul. Patience and love. Sumathi eventually underwent training in psycho-social work and became an animator. Having experienced the trauma, she is able to understand other people in similar situations. | | | | Since psychosocial workers from the local Caritas take care of her by the hand and to the shore - she learns to rediscover the sea as a friend. Kalpana, the psycho-social animator
from PMSSS (local Caritas) has been accompanying Manghata in this journey. | | |
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| | | Sumathi talking with Nisha
about life after the tsunami | | the tsunami movie. By talking to Sumathi”, Nisha says, “hope grew within me. I realized that my old life is over, but a new life will start. Only months ago, life was dull and I didn`t feel like doing just anything. And now”, she acknowledges with beaming smile, “I found the love of my life, right here in the temporary shelter: I married a few weeks ago.” | | | Stefan | | | | 49 year old Selvam, a restaurant owner in Car Nic and Rada who smashed her head against a wall due to tsunami wave, but miraculously survived - confided to Sumathi and are journeying out of Trauma. | | Haarlem accommodation18 year old Nisha, who was emotionally spent, confined her activities to lying on a mattress all day, quite sure her life was over at the age of 18. Nisha was suffering from the same symptoms as Sumathi: Anorexia. Insomnia. Apathy. The horror sounds and images of tsunami played and re-played in her brain all over and over again - | | Sr. Annama and a Caritas-member
during a counselling session | | | | | | | | Caritas-animators are accompanying more than 2500 such families. European Commission Humanitarian
Aid is in partnership with Caritas India and PMSSS in realizing this mission to restore the lives of the affected people, not only materially, but also integrally
resurrecting the human spirit. | | | | Martin | | |
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| | Permanent Safe Homes
f o r t h e t s u n a m i h o m e l e s s | 'House owner', isn't it a gorgeous word? There's something about things that are yours... One would love the feeling of shutting the door on your own home each night and turning off all the lights before going to bed. The December 26, 2004 tsunami deprived thousands of people of tsunami deprived thousands of people of
this wonderful feeling, rendering them homeless. For the past one year, Caritas India has been striving to provide this security to the tsunami sufferers…the very security of having a roof on their heads...their very own home.
The mission statement of the Caritas Shelter scheme says,
“To build durable homes of good quality and self-contained Habitats
to live a wholesome life in harmony with nature.” | | Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry | | | | | Chairman of Caritas - Bishop Remigius with head of EDMS visiting Colachal, KSSS | | | | Policy for new houses and villages | Size of the plot: 1,5 cent in municipal area, 3 cents in rural area
Size of the house: 300 325 sq.ft
Cost of the house: 1,5 Lakhs
Disaster resistant structure provided with water, drains, and electricity
All new houses will be insured for 10years and the title of the house will be given in the joint name of husband and wife | | | | | Caritas Shelter team in Tamil Nadu: | Ms. Gertrud Tauber, Architect, Caritas International /Austria
Mr. Karunakaran, Structural Engineer, Caritas India
Brgd. Joseph, Civil Engineer, Caritas India
Mr. Bernhard Shaw, Structural Engineer, Caritas India | | | | | Mr. Karunakaran our shelter consultant in
discussion with Mr. Gerhard Meier and team | | | |
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| | Kerala | | The state government of Kerala has entrusted the responsibility of Tconstructing 1222 houses for tsunami victims to Caritas
India along with it's seven
diocesan counterparts. Caritas
and its counterparts are the
second largest player in the
rehabilitation by way of
permanent housing. | | | | Shri Oomen Chandy, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Kerela inaugurating Tsunami Housing Insurance Scheme with Caritas and local Church officials in Kochi | | | Well-qualified and
experienced engineers of
GCDA and PWD are
carrying out construction
for most of the houses in
Kerala. These engineers
have been making regular
v i s i t s . B e n e f i c i a r y
committees are also formed who assist in
construction as much
r e q u i r e d . R e v i e w
meetings are being
conducted to assess the
progress. | | Housing colony in Kochi constructed in partnership between Caritas and Verapoly Social Service Society | | | All the 1222 houses constructed for the tsunami hit victims of Kerala will be insured for 10 years.
In Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese, 17 houses have been built and 50 damaged houses are being reconstructed in Njarackal and Kuzhuppilly villages.
The Archdiocese of Verapoly has constructed 51 houses. Erankulam Social Service Society in collaboration with Caritas India has also constructed 440 rainwater harvesting tanks.
Caritas India is re-building houses in the coastal regions ravaged by the devastating tsunami with a long term perspective.
Speed and quality are the hallmarks of the construction process in Kerala. | | |
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| Confident Vinod and Mohini
Look to the future with hope… | | | Mr. Vinod is the beneficiary family of the housing project. The family lived in the coastal village of Narakkal in Ernakulam district of Kerala state. Their small tiled hut was completely damaged in the wrath of the tsunami waves. They were shifted to the nearby school for three weeks and then to a relative's house. They had nothing left in the family after the disaster. The father and mother of Vinod were sick and aged.
Vinod and Mohini are blessed with two children named Aswini (4 yrs ) and Anjaly ( 2 yrs). Mohini, wife of Vinod does the household activities and looks after the children. The only income of the family is the returns of Vinod from the fishing activities. He does not have a boat or net of his own; hence, is employed as a labourer by other boat owners.
The newly built house has really helped the family to settle in the same coastal village and they are very proud about returning to their original village. It has two good rooms, a hall and a kitchen. Mohini has joined the Self help Group formed in the village and has become an active member. They are planning to venture into some viable economic activity to meet their increasing day to day needs. . The fear and insecurity has been overcome. The days have become sunny. Mohini and Vinod thank God and their benefactors for this great blessing. Fr. Paul Moonjely Director, Welfare Services Ernakulam | | |
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| | Andhra Pradesh | | Unique feature of A.P. State Housing policy for Tsunami affected families is the
inclusion of the other vulnerable sections
such as SC and ST population who have lived in perpetual poverty. The State Government, hence, has included vast number of families from the weaker sections along the fisher folk families
affected by Tsunami.
All the four diocesan counterparts of Caritas India have started the construction process for permanent housing. | | | | Eluru diocese has acquired the possession certificates from 2 villages and work has already started. The government of Andhra Pradesh has allotted the site for construction.
In Vijayawada possession certificates are obtained from all the eneficiaries and material is being supplied to the construction site. Staff has been appointed as per the project. In 3 villages the work is in progress and the engineers have marked 91 houses and material is transported to the work site. | | | | | | Nellore diocese has started construction in 9 villages and the work is in progress. The construction of 228 has reached the basement level, 166 to the lintel level and 26 to the roof level. The government has not yet cleared the site for 544 houses for which negotiations with the people and the government are in progress.
Guntur dioceses has completed the formalities of getting the approval from the local MRO for the site and shall start the construction work soon. | | | |
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| | | Do you want to know more about Devanampattinam? Look at the website of PMSSS (www.pmsss.org.in) everyday and you will be surprised to see the daily progress states emphatically Fr. Ratchagar, the Director
of Pondicherry Multipurpose Social Service Societies, working at almost 'tsunami-speed' to complete 648 houses at least a week before the th 26 of December 2005 (the first anniversary of tsunami 2004). The first fibre glass fishing boats left for the sea within 60 days after tsunami, in order to ensure that village life returns to normalcy. The first day catch was incredible. As the Principal of a leading school in Cuddalore, Fr. Ratchagar always dreamt of doing something tangible to bring change and prosperity into the lives of the people. Tsunami has opened up the avenue for him to facilitate | | | | Caritas team in interaction with the community members working for their housing. | | | |
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Focus
The family income
has increased
steadily due to
diverse income
generating
activities initiated
and managed by
self help groups. | | Ms. Mahalakshmi,
tailoring training
instructress, Mr.
Martin with Ms.
Bengwanti from
Indonesia. | | | | "After tsunami, we are witnessing a real upsurge of opportunities in our village. Our handicraft products are in good demand; hence, we are able to generate extra amounts of income. Young women like me have a chance to come forward and take advantage of the new chances."
Ms. Mahalakshmi, Instructress for fancy bag making unit in Devanampattinam | | |
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ICT Innovation
Three times a day the weather forecast
downloaded from internet is broadcast
whole village. The fisher men can now
decide whether to go for fishing or not.
fact, this weather bulletin has become
a referral for the local police and
other local alert cells at panchayat level. | | | hoteles en MalmoWeather bulletin broadcast in action | | |
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| concrete development process with the community in Devanampattinam. PMSSS is in fact working in 20 villages in both the territories of Pondicherry and Cuddalore.
The architect and builders have been given the target of ensuring that 647 families can move into their permanent homes in the beginning of the new year.
The other innovative initiatives are 'vermicompositing' through an ingeniously developed method called 'pancharatna' and | |
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| | Tamizhkumaranan, a Jasmine cultivator in iscussion with Fr. Ratchagar | | | Devanampattinam Focus | Ma i n c r o p o f Devanampattinam is Jasmine. The lands were inundated due to tsunami waves. As a result, the lands turned saline. As a process of desalination, natural farming has been introduced through Vermi compost & Vermi culture.
Tangible effect is seen by the farmers. The crop which was reduced to 10 times is now growing upto 3 times so far. | | |
'navaratna' using the products of the cows which have shown a significant difference in the cultivation of the jasmies. The yield is 200% greater. Further, the community development centre has become a hub of activities for Self Help Groups - Tailoring Students - Computer Learning youth - Handicraft production
groups. Is Tsunami a curse or a blessing in disguise, no one cay say? The local counterpart of Caritas India,
PMSSS - Pondicherry Multipurpose Social Service Society has, in fact, provided a pioneering leadership in the person of Fr. Ratchagar, who along with his dedicated teams of community organisers and animators has changed the landscape of the village life in an unprecedented manner. The entire process is resulting into a 'model' Indian village which according to Mission 2007 - will even deserve an award. The perseverance and dynamic spirit of the villagers: women - young girls and boys, certainly make us bow in humility and deepest reverence to the unbroken human spirit of the community, though the village has suffered the most in terms of human - material - financial losses.
R.K | | | Pancharatna / Navartna are the organic vermicomposts people generate using the products of cow (including cow dug, ghee, etc.) | | | " I am really fortunate that such a modern educational facility is available in my own village. After attending my degree classes, I can attend computer classes at my leisure and benefit
from it "
Sarada, Degree Student from Devanampattinam | | | | | | | | | | Computer educational center is run by PMSSS for the youth of the village. Sarada (in the foreground) is a graduate student learning computer during her free time | | | | | | | |
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| | | | Fisher folk of the peninsular India are amongst the poorest people in the region. Though they are the ones who manage the shoreline, mangroves and coastal fishing zones i.e. the health of the oceans; but they are ones most neglected. After tsunami many are fearful of returning to the sea. Caritas India extended support to these fisher folks by restoration of their livelihoods, and re-equipping them for sustainable fishing. Apart from ensuring that they have a fair share in the market, Caritas India is making efforts to enable them to ensure future safety at sea and disaster preparedness measures. | | | | Livelihood Restoration includes:
Provision of Boats, Engines, Nets, Vocational Training, Cash for work with the integration of community mobilization and Self Help Group Formation | | | |
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| | | | | Participatory Rural Appraisal exercise in the context of micro planning process in the community | | | | | Catamaran (Traditional Boat) manufacturing unit | | | | | | |
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| | | | | | Sunnampudi Nagarjunna from Nizampatanam, Guntur, A.P. is ever grateful for the support his family received to repair the damaged boat. Today he earns Rs. 200 per day to sustain his family | | | |
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| | | | Shri D.S. Negi, Chief Secretary, Andaman & Nicobar
Administration appreciates the work
done by Caritas India, European Commission
Humanitarian Aid, CRS and Association of
Catholic Andaman & Nicobar Islands (ACANI) | | | | | 25 wooden boats are manufactured as per the specifications provided by the fisher folk committee in partnership with Andaman fisheries department, ACANI, European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Caritas to benefit the 125 fisher families in Campbell Bay, Great Nicobar.
All the boats are insured. Licences are also provided by the Andaman & Nicobar Administration. | | |
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