“I remember a large wave swept everyone away. That day, my youngest daughter died.  I was unable to hold on to her … I am not alone. Many people lost more than one child, children without parents, and husbands without wives.”

The earthquake and resulting tsunami struck the Indian Ocean the morning of Dec. 26, 2004, killing more than 230,000 people in 12 countries, with countless more missing. In partnership with Anglican and ecumenical partners, Episcopal Relief and Development immediately responded to the needs in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Thailand.  In India and Sri Lanka, ERD currently works with church partners to implement long-term recovery programs that are rebuilding lives.

Rob Radtke, ERD’s president, recently made an 11-day trip to India to see the impact of his agency’s tsunami recovery programs. The first week concentrated on projects in the Church of South India, a union of churches comprising 22 dioceses with about 4 million members. The CSI synod office in Chennai is working with ERD along India's southeast coast, the most affected area with 12,000 confirmed deaths.

Radtke was accompanied by the Rev. Robert Sunil, program coordinator for CSI, and his staff member, Julie Petrie, program associate for Asia.

“ERD is partnering with the Church of South India in seven dioceses,” said Petrie. “Our recovery programs focus on health, water and sanitation, housing reconstruction, fishing and other livelihood recovery. We also provide trauma counseling, child protection and orphan care, along with other integrated community services.”

Health services

The group first visited a diocesan health clinic outside Chennai where people receive medicine and immunizations. Many have been relocated two hours away from their fishing community.

“The clinic examines 70 patients a day and provides basic medicine for common ailments,” said Dr. Benedicta Sathiamurthy, CSI medical program coordinator.  “We also have a mobile clinic servicing more remote areas.”  “Normally, we treat TB, malaria and diphtheria and common complaints such as hypertension and diabetes,” she said.

In another diocese, ERD staff spoke with female leaders of self-help groups established to help women earn an income through small micro-loans. Group members receive training and guidance in creating small enterprises. When the groups repay the loans, the money is reinvested into a revolving account to provide loans to other groups.

Eighteen self-help groups operate in the Krishna-Godavari diocese. Each group has 20 women, most married to fishermen who face financial hardship after the tsunami. They now have successful businesses, such as the sale of fish, catering services and sewing.
“I was working on my own earning 10 rupees,” said one participant. “But as a group we earn 2,000 rupees per month, so each person receives 500 rupees.  It is more profitable to work together.”

Another woman talked about the impact her work has on her family. “My husband listens to me now. My opinion matters and helps the family.”

Alternate industries

In Kanyakumari, the fishing industry was devastated by the tsunami, which wiped out some species of fish like tuna and sardines, common to the area.  Here, fishermen either experience difficulty supporting their families or are afraid to return to the sea.

Consequently, the church and ERD identified ways that women’s groups could supplement the family income by alternate industries, such as catering, candle-making, and producing dry fish. Besides learning a specific trade, group members are taught to package, market and sell their products.

“Most of our husbands are … having a difficult time finding work after the tsunami,” said one woman. “Until I joined the group, I had little hope. Now I can help support my family, and my sons can go to school.” “For us, ERD means: ‘Earn more; Rebuild our status; and become Dominant,’” she said. “It represents a new life for our families.”

Young fishermen also are being trained in engine repair to help diversify their skills. A marine engineering program targets young men who dropped out of school because they couldn’t pay tuition. Graduates will open a service station that will repair boat engines for fisherman in 48 villages.

Nearly two years after the tsunami, people still are trying to get back on their feet. “The rebuilding process is challenging,” Sunil said. “Recovery is taking place. A team of people continue to work tirelessly.” Radtke said he was deeply moved by the visit.  “I’m humbled by the challenges people are facing after the tsunami.”

“It’s amazing to witness the resilience of the human spirit,” he said. “Even in the midst of tragedy, people are recovering. From Vijayawada to Kanyakumari, the stories are inspiring and the hospitality is enormous.”

Even after her daughter’s death, Jermina has hope. Like many others, she is a survivor who participates in an ERD-supported self-help group that sells saris in Colachel.

“There are still problems.  For a long time, many of us lived in fear and anxiety, especially near the water,” she said. “Five years from now, I hope that I’m able to stand on my own two feet and support my family.”