“I am trying hard to forget what I saw after the waves died down,” commented
Subramaniam.
On December 26, 2004, he, his wife and child fled the Indian fishing hamlet of Pellepalam.
Tsunami waves crashed down on the area, then stealing the family’s house and fishing
boat into the sea. Subramaniam was at a mind-numbing loss; he watched in disbelief as
his fishing business of 35 years and his home was literally washed away!
A medical and recovery team from Operation Blessing India was in the area when the
family returned to see that everything was truly gone. Tearfully the husband and father
said, “The memories of my home are still haunting me. I have nothing left now;
how am I going to repay the house loan ($460 USD)? It is unthinkable. I don’t
know how to live! The tsunami has left behind a trail of untold pain and misery and
I have lost all I had – my house, my boat, fishing net and all my hope.”
He continued, “My wife was suffering from traumatic stress and weakness. My child
was starving and our minds were reeling under the massive devastation caused by the
giant tidal wave. Then Operation Blessing India reached out to us with relief aid. My
wife received counseling and I was treated for my leg injury.”
Subramaniam’s wife added, “They gave us medicine, food, clothes, blankets,
towels and utensils. They took care of us like they were our parents. We were very grateful
to them.”
As this family begins their life over from scratch, Operation Blessing will not forget
about them and the countless other tsunami survivors still struggling every day in India.
In the last seven weeks, OB India’s medical and recovery teams have already lovingly
treated more than 5,000 hurt and sick as well as provided over 6,000 hungry survivors
with food. You can help too! Your gift of $50 or more can make a significant impact
in a tsunami survivors’ life.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help by making an online donation toward OBI's disaster relief efforts. With your support, we can continue to provide emergency relief and recovery. Please make an on-line donation today.
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