"I realize what partnership can do when people from across the world joins hands with you," says Sushant Agrawal, director of long-time Church World Service partner Church's Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA). This past week, Agrawal and a Church World Service delegation were among the many present to celebrate the completion of 53 new homes and a multipurpose disaster shelter in South Chinnoor village. The Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu state, in southern India, was severely affected by the December 2004 tsunami.

Church World Service has been a strong supporter of CASA's post-tsunami reconstruction and recovery efforts, which include the construction of 4,000 permanent homes in tsunami-affected areas of southern India.