One year afterwards, the Tsunami still haunts us because it was such an unusual occurrence, with untold horror and devastation. Close to 300,000 people lost their lives by the time the killer waves had done the damage and receded. It was a global disaster in the manner in which the entire international community, government and private, responded so overwhelmingly and with such alacrity. However, in such disasters the unprivileged are the ones who suffer the most and are forgotten the soonest.
YWCA is known around the world for its concerns in times of disaster and for its desire to respond and take whatever action it can. YWCA of India worked for rehabilitation of the victims through the support mainly of YMCA-YWCA of Sweden, World YWCA, other YWCA’s and individuals.
In this particular effort in Kollam district in Kerala, YWCA of India partnered with Christian Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA) which is the implementing partner for construction of 11 houses. CASA has experience of intervention in the southern part of India and more so for the last 14 months. CASA also has vast experience in constructing houses with disaster resistant features. The aim of this programme is to construct houses for Fisher folk, especially women who lost everything in this magnum disaster, rebuild and rehabilitate the lives of the victims of tsunami in all its fullness, which will give security and dignity.
The YWCA-CASA Joint Project was carried out in Kulasekarapuram Panchayat, Kollam District in Kerala, and the activities undertaken in this project are described in detail below:

CONSTRUCTION OF PERMANENT HOUSES

CASA has undertaken construction of earthquake proof, cyclone resistant houses jointly with YWCA. Ownership of a house gives status and also becomes an asset for the family. It also becomes a haven of joy and happiness shared together. A total of 31 houses have been built in Kulasekarapuram with the assistance of YWCA and CASA together. YWCA ‘s commitment was for 11 houses.
Design of the House – Design of the house was given by the Kerala State Housing Board. Each house has two bed rooms, one small hall, kitchen, attached bathroom and toilet, a small verandah in the front and a staircase. The total plinth area of the house is 430 sq ft.
Inauguration of the Houses - Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Ireneaus Suffragan Metropolitan, the Chairman of CASA laid the foundation for the construction project on 6th May 2005 at Kulasekarapuram. Methodist Engineering Company has been in charge of construction. The first set of 5 houses were inaugurated on 12th October 2005 in the presence of Dr. Belinda Bennet, National President & Ms. Rekha Kapila, National General Secretary of YWCA of India along with many other important dignitaries, YWCA members and staff and the community. There were total 11 houses to be made by YWCA’s contribution in Kulasekarapuram, and all of these have been completed. Few photographs of completed houses are attached with this report.

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION

The details of activities undertaken under this head are as follows:
Ward Development Committee – Two Ward Development Committees have been organized. This committee has been organized to involve the community in the implementing of programs for rehabilitation and reconstruction starting from planning, monitoring and evaluation of each program.
Women’s Groups – Women of both wards have been organized into SHGs during pre-tsunami period and were involved in various socio-economic and cultural programs. At present ward number 3 has 20 SHGs and ward number 4 has 21 SHGs. Soon after the tsunami, the groups were disorganized, however, steps have been taken to identify the groups. Regular meetings were arranged for these groups to strengthen them and re-activate them. Capacity building through Leadership Training program was done for these groups. Each SHG has 14 to 20 members.
Youth Groups, Adolescent Girls Group and Children’s Group – CASA along with the community volunteers was able to form 2 youth groups in Alappad, one each in ward number 3 and ward number 4. Similarly, adolescent girls group and children’s group were formed in ward number 3 and 4. The formation of these groups has enabled them to come together and this has increased their sense of unity and understanding about their social condition and need for further development. They were able to identify the need for improving their spoken English and had arranged for classes for the same.
Medical Camp – The community in and around Alappad (which happens to be our area of intervention) was suffering from ‘chicken pox’. There was a felt need to educate the people on preventive health measures and so a medical camp was organized on 31st March 2006 in Azheeckal which is in ward number 4 in Alappad district. This was done with the assistance of the District Health Department. A medical practitioner from the medical department spoke about the possible preventive measures that can be taken and homeopathic medicines were given to 1,123 people who came from 270 families.

Celebration of Important Days

• Children’s Day – Children’s Day was celebrated on 14th November 2005 in ward number 4 in Sree Subramanya Swami Temple Hall. Issues like children’s right and the present needs of children and their condition were discussed. There were a total of 75 participants including children and their parents in this programme.
• AIDS Awareness Day – AIDS Awareness Day was observed on 1st December 2005. A seminar was arranged where different topics on HIV were dealt with like, causes for HIV, preventive measures to be taken, discrimination and stigma attached with people living with HIV/AIDS. Around 75 people participated in this seminar.
• Human Rights Day – A one-day seminar on Human Rights Day was organized at Sree Pookot Temple in ward number 3 on 10th December 2005. The seminar focused on the universal declaration on human rights. There was a gathering of 100 people for this seminar. Topics discussed covered political and civil rights and rights of women; children and the handicapped were emphasized on a special note.

CHILDREN’S PARK

Park for children was installed in Kulasekarapuram on 25th March 2006 and this has given them immense joy. It’s a joy for us also to see the children going back to their normal childhood. Children faced the maximum brunt of the Tsunami. They were impacted psychologically severely and they would have nightmares at night about the Tsunami. Playing in the Children’s parks helped them to have some form of recreation and entertainment and this helped them to forget some of the psychological impact of the Tsunami on them.
It has been observed that children are immensely enjoying playing in these parks along with their peers. Children’s parks are helping the children not only to forget the trauma of the Tsunami, but also are instrumental in creating good social qualities in them. This effort in participation is supported fully by World YWCA.

LIVELIHOOD SUPPORT TO WOMEN SELF HELP GROUPS (SHGs)

Women SHGs have been very active in Azheekal (Ward no. 3 and 4 of Alappad panchayat) during the pre-tsunami period. They were able to earn enough to support their children’s education, buy household goods and also save for their daughter’s marriages. However, things changed after tsunami and they are now trapped in debts, as the SHGs are not functioning like before.
Regular meetings were held to rejuvenate these SHGs and CASA and YWCA jointly decided to support some of the SHGs apart from facilitating them for training and exposure for a life with security and dignity. The women came up with a lot of livelihood programs, however, after a detailed study was made on its feasibility, CASA decided to support three livelihood programs, those are, Copra making, Production of bakery items and Coir making.
There are 41 women SHGs in Azheekal, out of which 3 SHGs have been selected for support from CASA. These three SHGs are Sree Sakthi, Sree Parvathi and Sree Nidhi SHGs. Three important criteria were put forward for selecting the SHGs:

• The beneficiaries are the poorest of the poor
• Those SHGs which has not received any substantial support from any other agency were chosen
• SHGs which have the capacity to run the program efficiently and profitably were given priority while making the selection

Copra Making Unit – Sree Shakthi has expressed their interest to start Copra Making unit as an alternate livelihood program. This SHG has 14 members. Financial assistance was extended to buy raw coconut, tools and implements. As the unit expands in future, the SHG members will be able to make more profit by extracting coconut oil and selling the coconut cake. The unit was inaugurated on 25th October 2005
Bakery Unit – Assistance for bakery unit has been given to Sree Parvathy SHG in ward number 3, which has 19 members. This group was functional before tsunami and was doing well but after tsunami they were unable to start the unit, however, with the aid of CASA the SHG has started to function from 29th March 2006.

VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND PRODUCTION CENTRE – COIR MAKING

Coir making is a traditional industry in Kerala. The raw material used for this industry is coconut fibre which is abundantly available. The government coir board and private agencies are willing to buy the coir from these SHGs, which motivated Sri Nidhi SHG members to start the unit. But they need training and hence CASA contacted Mr. Tulasi Bhai of Kattilkadavu Karunagapally, a private agency which gives training on coir and production of coir products to give training to this SHG. Financial support has been given to buy raw materials and machines for making coir.

CONCLUSION

Since the tsunami, it has been a learning and transforming time for both CASA-YWCA and the devastated tsunami victims of Kerala. As we reflect on the theme ‘Rebuilding Lives with Dignity’, we realize the importance and vastness of this premise and we aim to let the victims experience ‘Life in all its fullness’ (John 10:10),
Though they were devastated a year ago, there has been considerable amount of development in their lives in terms of social status, economic enhancement and psychological confidence

Source:worldywca