It was barely more than one year ago when
the world was literally shaken off its axis by the Giant Tsunami of 2005.
The scope of its devastation was hard to conceive. The response of CMMB
donors -- in terms of disaster relief -- was substantial and heartfelt.
In October, I was able to observe, firsthand,
the recovery and progress some of those most affected by the tsunami were
making in India . In the Indian state of Kerala, on Vypin Island , near
Cochin , I met many of the brave men, women and children who are now trying
to return normalcy to their lives. This is the story of one such woman,
Sheila, and her family. It is also the story of those who helped her, Father
Jaison and Sister Elinor.
"You know, the tsunami gave people 30 minutes warning," Father Jaison recalled. How so? He answered: "The water went back. People had time to leave the beach, but they didn't because they had never seen the water recede so far. They ventured out on the expanded beach to explore."
Sheila added more details: "On the day of the tsunami, a tourism festival was being planned on the seashore. There was also a motorbike race on the sand. Everything was fine. Then the sea went back, for so long. Some people went out to walk on the exposed sea bed. Then, a little girl looked out and saw a wall of water with a big ship on top. Everyone started to run."
She continues: "The wave came and destroyed many things. It came in my house and destroyed utensils, the stove, TV, edibles. The water stayed and my walls started to crack. There were fish and snakes inside everywhere."
Sheila, her husband, and six-year-old daughter lived with her sister until they received a new home. "Now, I have a house that is better than the old one. We are very, very happy that it has a high floor, so the re will not be a problem if the tsunami comes again."
Sheila and her family were helped by trauma counseling and medicines purchased with a CMMB grant. The medicines, through the efforts of Father Jaison and the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India, were provided to the community center at Anawim Convent, where Sister Elinor used them to treat fever, asthma, and diarrhea. Today, Sheila volunteers her time working with Sister and the children of the Island as relief efforts continue, particularly trauma counseling."
The need for continued counseling was underlined when I talked with a young boy who was caught in the waters of the tsunami. He carries with him a fear of the water that did not exist previously. On many nights, his sleep is interrupted by nightmares of his experience. In spite of that, he can smile.
The spirit on Vypin Island is one of hope. Father Jaison, however, worries about the future: "Fish production is reduced because the fish are gone and sea beds destroyed. Mango trees are gone, vegetables gone, and the water is salty. Many do not have cisterns for ga the ring rainwater and the tsunami polluted what fresh water was available. Now, people have to depend upon visits by water trucks for all their water. Most of all, people have to think about o the r occupations, and find new ways of living."
As I departed Vypin Island , I did so with great admiration for its residents. Everywhere I went, I had been greeted with smiles and laughter. Life is returning to normal and the y are able to speak of the tsunami as a memory. It did indeed destroy much. It did not, however, destroy the faith of the people of Vypin Island.
By: Barbara Wright, Director of Communications