Ndtv report on Amma's Tsunami reconstruction activity

December 23, 2005

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Friday, December 23, 2005 (Thiruvananthapuram):

A year after the tsunami, professional aid workers may have

disappeared but the rebuilding and rehabilitation work continues.

In Alappad village of Kollam district in Kerala locals are getting

help from foreigners, mostly devotees of Mata Amritanandamayi.

A 30-year-old Lufthansa airhostess, Viola is spending her three-month

vacation at a coastal village in Kollam district. For the last five

days she has been sweating it out helping build houses for tsunami

victims in Alappad.

"I always wanted to do such things. I fully enjoyed the experience

because I know people need help," said Viola.

Reconstruction activity

Like Viola there are many other devotees who have helped build

disaster resistance houses.

The Amritanandamayi mutt located in the Alappad village is spending Rs

100 crore for tsunami rehabilitation in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.

It has already constructed 1000 houses in the district for the 20,000

displaced people. Just last week President APJ Abdul Kalam was handed

over the keys of 500 houses.

"The Ashram inmates had been fully engaged in the construction of

houses. Seeing their hard work, initially about 10 villagers joined,

soon it was 20, then 100 and now thousands are taking part in the

reconstruction activity. I am overwhelmed by the support," said Mata

Amritanandamayi.

Fulfilling experience

Tsunami survivors are grateful for the help that is being offered to them.

"They are like our sisters. The labour here has inspired us a lot. As

human beings we should be prepared to help each other irrespective of

the geographical boundaries and other distinctions," said Sanal Kumar,

tsunami victim.

A massive rehabilitation work is on in the village and for those

taking part in this exercise it is a fulfilling experience to help

people rebuild their houses and lives.

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