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World Vision hands over first permanent homes for tsunami-affected families |
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Monday, 05 September 2005 |
There were emotional scenes as people were handed the keys to their new homes in Kerala recently. After months of living in relief camps and temporary shelters, these families finally had a place they could call "home", writes Anish Premson - ITRT Communications, World Vision, 05 Sep 2005 in Relief Web at http://www.reliefweb.int/
Forwarded by Budhi Mulyawan 050905.
The physical discomfort and emotional distress they had all experienced gave way to jubilation as they stepped through the wooden doors into their new homes.
"A journey from despair to hope, destruction to new life," said Alex Snary, Director, World Vision India Tsunami Response.
World Vision handed over the first set of five houses to beneficiaries in Azheekal village of Allepy district, Kerala. Despite various challenges, the first handover of permanent shelters in any World Vision tsunami response program around the world is a major milestone for the response.
"It was tough convincing the people because we were held back by shortage of labour, unavailability of quality goods," said Saji, Program Manager, World Vision, Kerala. "Now, they know we mean business."
"There has also been a good relationship with the recent contractors and consultants, and that has really speeded up the process," he added.
The beneficiaries were too emotional to speak. "We had a house for seven years that was brought down by the tsunami," said Kamalamma, one of the beneficiaries.
She said it had been difficult living in shelters over the last few months, so was pleased to be able to put that behind her.
"Now, I can live safely in my home," she said.
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