Villapuram, India
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One of the boats supplied with the support of The Freemasons' Grand Charity
"...when the tsunami tidal wave hit the coast. I rushed to catch hold of my boat...But we could not withstand the strong waves..."
Mr Mani, Villapuram
The 3-year programme to help rebuild the lives of the residents of Villapuram, India was the largest single project supported by The Freemasons' Grand Charity. More than 1,500 families were affected when the tusnami hit the ten villages which make up this traditional coastal fishing community.
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Preparing fish for sale using |
- Purchase of boats, engines and nets
- Establishment of child care centres providing medical check ups, nutritional food and counselling
- Learning support for older children, including evening tuition classes and other activities
- Establishment of women's self help groups, providing business training and loans to help women pursue income generating activities. As a vulnerable group, the needs of widows and women-headed households have been emphasised
- Purchase of solar fish dryers for use by three businesses set up through the women's self help groups
- Health care clinics providing advice and medication and immunisations for children
- Nutrition, sanitation, reproductive health and personal hygeine initiatives aimed at the whole community
"My mother is the breadwinner of our family now. She has started a grocery shop under loan taken from her self help group. With the little income from the shop we manage."
S Muniyandi (18), Chetti Nagar
The project is providing a lasting legacy for the children of Villapuram and will continue to help them as they grow and support their own families in the future.