The Efforts of DHAN Foundation in Nagapattinam District Tamil Nadu INDIA

Nagapattinam District (Keelapudupalli Village): Food being given to affected people Keelhapudhupalli is a coastal village affected by Tsunami. The waves entered the farm lands and waterponds and rendered the lands incultivable. This has affected the livelihoods of the farmers in this village. A community kitchen and community shelter has been constructed for the affected people. Mr. Muthumari “ Our future was so uncertain and we did not know what to do. Then the team from DHAN came and have provided us immediate relief. Now they have created employment oppurtunity for us – by clearing the drainage channels, removing the saltwater in our farm ponds etc., and it is going on well. This has created hope within us to get our livelihood restored’. 25 Jan 2005

Nagapattinam District (Keelapudupalli Village): Hut was destroyed by Tsunami Sakthivel a young farmer in Keelapudupalli village. The sea came in nearly two kilometres inland. Still I don’t how how I how I got an escape from the Killer Tsunami. On that day I was sitting near the sea shore. The big waves came with a menancing force and speed. Immediately I ran very fast and fell down. I don’t know what happened then. Fortunately I am alive now. Now though the sea waves are not rough I still fear the tsunami. The sea water also spoiled our Drowpathi Amman Koil Tank. This tank was very useful for bathing and washing. Now tank water is spoiled completely and no more useful to us. Now we walk 2 kms every day to take bath.

Nagapattinam District (Keelapudupalli Village): Deepening Canal in sea-shore Ravi 23 year old young farmer: “We used to cultivate groundnut, casuarina in the poromboke lands here. Without much care and watering they grew well and got a good income from it every year. Now Tsunami broke all our hearts by spoiling our lands. It would take many years to bring these lands back to normal condition.

Nagapattinam District (Keelapudupalli Village): Deepening Canal in sea-shore We have got a job for a few days for deepening the drainage canal. Through this work we got Rs.70/- per day as wages. Through this channel, the salt water mixed with the pond water is drained out. Now our ponds in our lands are gradually returning to their original condition”.

Nagapattinam District (Keelapudupalli Village): Clearing drainage canal

Nagapattinam District (South Sallikulam): Farmers removing the salt soil in agri. field It was 26th December; Tsunami waves slashed Chinnakottaimedu and many fishermen villages. One month is passed. In the 26th January, Republic Day function was celebrated in Chinnakottaimedu. Games were held and prizes given. In this sports events one Mrs. Rathi, won two prizes and husband got Ist prize in long jump. This couple has lost their two kids in the Tsunami. Similarly, 5 year old Anjana who had lost her mother in Tsunami also a winner of a game.

It was 26th December; Tsunami waves slashed Chinnakottaimedu and many fishermen villages. One month passed. On 26th January, Republic Day function was celebrated in Chinnakottaimedu. Games were held and prizes given. In the sports events, Mrs. Rathi, won two prizes and husband got Ist prize in long jump. This couple has lost their two kids in the Tsunami. Similarly, 5 year old Anjana who had lost her mother in Tsunami won a prize. The games has helped them forget the sadness that had engulfed them. Nagapattinam District (Chinnakottaimedu): Village children receiving prizes in Republic Day Event

Ramamoorthy To remove the salt water from or lands, we have decided to deepen the channel for two kilo meters. For this work 30 to 40 persons involved and got reasonable salary. After this work, we are planning to remove the salt which deposited in our lands. DHAN Foundation assured us their assistance for this work. Nagapattinam District (Chinnakottaimedu): Village children receiving prizes in Republic Day Event

The sea water also spoiled our Drowpathi Amman Koil Tank. This tank was very useful for bathing and washing. Now tank water is spoiled completely and no more useful to us. Now we walk 2 kms every day to take bath. Nagapattinam District (South Sallikulam): Intrusion of sea water spoiling the temple tank

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