(From Dayamrita at M.A. Center)

Amma Dedicates 1 Billion Rupees Towards Reconstructing Homes Destroyed By
Tsunami

Kollam, South India (3 January 2005) - Her Holiness Mata Amritanandamayi Devi
(Amma),
who is known throughout the world for her humanitarian work, has today announced
that
her ashram will dedicate one billion rupees [$23,364,486 U.S.D.] to reconstruct
homes in
Southern India that were completely destroyed by the tsunami on 26th December.

The houses will be built according to the specifications of the state
governments. The
Math has proposed to build houses consisting of two rooms, a kitchen, a small
veranda
and a toilet.

Amma's ashram is located in Alappad Village, the worst-hit area in Kerala. More
than 140
people were killed in the tiny village. The ashram was also flooded, but none of
the 13,000
people visiting at the time were injured, including 1,000 people from the West.

As thousands in the area are currently homeless, the ashram has already started
constructing temporary shelters to house them until the new homes are completed.
This is
being done on a 10-acre property owned by the ashram about 1 kilometer away.

Amma's ashram is also allocating 1,000 rupees to each family for purchasing
household
items. A total of 15 million rupees [$350,467 U.S.D.] have been allocated for
this purpose.

The ashram will also provide free education and counseling to those children who
have
lost both parents in the tragedy.

Besides the rehabilitation and reconstruction of houses in Kerala, the ashram is
also
helping tsunami victims in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

Under the direction of Amma, the ashram has been providing food, shelter,
clothing,
medical assistance and emotional support for the affected since the moment the
tsunami
hit the Indian Coast.

Since 1998, the Ashram has built and given away more than 30,000 houses for the
destitute homeless throughout India as part of its Amrita Kuteeram Free Housing
Project..