At the beginning of 2005 we put aside 10% of our budget to support people impacted by the tsunami.
We chose two projects, The Annai Theresa Welfare Trust (ATWT) and WOMANKIND. ATWT has been actively providing relief and rehabilitation to the families affected by the devastation in 19 coastal villages in Thoothukudi district, Southern India, since it hit in December 2004. We initially supported their work for 18 months, and last year we committed to a further three years of funding which will build on these foundations.
The on-going project hopes to create opportunities and establish support systems for improving the economic conditions of the fishing communities in two villages: Vivekanandanagar and Paripoornanagar.
Linda, our foundation guardian, visited ATWT while she was in India in 2006 and says:
It was a privilege to meet and spend time with ATWT. The opportunity to meet so many people and to hear about their lives was humbling. We're looking forward to hearing more about the real impact on people's lives that I know will be achieved.
The impact of the tsunami on Boxing Day 2004 was vast, and for those in the Thoothukudi district, Southern India the consequences were most destructive for the livelihoods of the fishing communities and the coastal eco-system.
The ATWT has been working to help improve the situation, helping revive the community's income and also improve coastal bio-diversity.
The two villages we are supporting through ATWT have managed to harvest and plant 30,000 mangrove seeds, plus 20,000 local tree saplings, which will conserve the coastline, as well as give shade and income for local people. They've also been working to clear debris that was blocking the villagers' access to fresh water and prevented flood water from heavy rains entering the village.
After funding the initial stages immediately after the tsunami hit, we agreed to further support ATWT with their ambitions to preserve and strengthen the existing coastal eco-system through integrated environmental education and further tree plantation.
Their work will also enable and support affected families in two coastal villages in Thoothukudi district, Vivekanandanagar and Paripoornanagar, to gain economic self-reliance and secure a sustainable livelihood, with specific support for the women of the communities.
Objective Update : September '07
We have received our latest report from ATWT and while there are many encouraging achievements, the initial news is rather more worrying.
That is, the Indian Government's plan to implement the 'Coastal Zone Management Act.' It would see the coastal area come under the control of the Forest Department and the shore handed over to the private sector.
The threat to the livelihood of the coastal community all over India is immense, and would lead to the gradual eviction of the fishing community from its native land. Campaigning is widespread all along the Indian coasts, and the groups in Vivekanandanagar and Paripoornanagar are forming and maintaining links with other organisations - hopes are high that this action will save their way of life.
It has seen full participation from the communities, as have other achievements:
- The children of the two villages have formed eco clubs. They will play an important role in creating environmental awareness and motivation amongst the future generation. Children above the age of 9 can be members and now 20 children in Vivekanadanagar and 35 in Paripoornanagar have joined the clubs.
- They have already had training sessions on tree planting and to promote the ethos of clean water conservation.
- The children have also been promoting kitchen gardens. At the end of 2007 prizes were awarded to those who developed these best.
- 50 women have enrolled their names in Paripoornanagar to form a Thrift and Credit Society. Its main objective is to facilitate credit support or micro-finance to poor women, to provide them with cost effective and easy credit. Its longer term goal is to become The People's Bank, providing assistance for income generating activities. You can read more about this below.
- The women are mostly fish vendors and until 2007, returned home at noon to look after the house. With a loan from ATWT, which they matched with their own savings, they have started a small business that now dries all fish that are not sold, to be used for instant dry fish, pickle and snacks.
- The Sangam (women's group) members of Paripoornanagar, have had a variety of training from experts in these techniques and now six women make pickle, twenty five make instant dried fish and a further four makes snacks to sell within their village and in those nearby. The women's collective has now proposed to identify markets in order to increase their production.
- Six girls have been given training in basic computer skills. It has since been proposed that support will be given to students who wish to undergo an advanced course in computer skills.
- Three students have been supported in getting admitted to the Technical Institution to be trained in Electrical, Mechanical and Welding courses.
- Educational support has been given to deserving students for the continuation of their studies. You can read about Vijaya's success below.
Vijaya's success
Vijaya Shalini is one of the female students from Paripoornanagar. She was brilliant in her studies both at the school and in college and successfully completed her undergraduate studies in commerce. Having a keen interest in professional social work and education, she and her parents approached ATWT to support her for higher studies.
ATWT agreed to provide financial support to cover her college fees for a Masters in Social Work. She has since gained a place at The Madurai Institute of Social Science to study the two year course. She is the first student in the whole of Thoothukudi fishing community to study MSW and is very proud to be doing so.
The Thrift Society
The Thrift Society aims to give women an economic independence and empower them at the local level. There are strict rules which all must adhere to, but it means it works well.
The members of the society must save 10 rupees per month (about 15 pence) and all loans should be repaid with an interest of 2%. There are interest free loans, but these will only be provided for if there are serious reasons, such as a death.
They should be paid back at every week-end and the whole process is transparent.