Tsunami Project 2005

Providing for the education needs of children

affected by the Tsunami - 2005 Report

Some areas of Southern India were hit very hard by the Tsunami. The government of India and various aid agencies were doing their best to provide the basics of shelter and food and water and medicines for the thousands that are affected.

Roy and Ponna run a Christian Training Centre in a nearby area and found that many of the poorest people affected by the disaster could not afford to continue to send their children to school. They initially identified 100 children affected in a particular area. The estimated cost was around 3000 rupees (£38) each to purchase uniforms, books, and other school equipment that would be needed to send a child to school for a year. So many families who have lost everything could not find this money and were desperate. Roy and Ponna and their students have been going to the area to help in whatever ways they can and to show the love of Jesus to these people.

But they asked AMEN to partner with them in trying to send the children back to school. We are delighted to report that the initial £3800 needed for this project was raised in a few weeks. Roy and his team went down and distributed the items needed - but then found that there were a further 60 children in need. Thanks to the kind support of the Trustees of India Link Ministries we have been able to send a further £2280 to fully cover the costs for these 60 children

We would like to thank all of the AMEN and India Link Ministries people who have supported this very successful project with prayers and money. The love of Jesus has been shown to these communities in a way that they can understand. Please continue to pray for these people that they may continue to experience healing in their lives from the disaster and that they may discover that only Jesus can bring them the peace and joy which they need.

Roy writes to us as follows

"Greetings to you from SEMI. We have just returned from the Tsunami field and are writing to you, Praise the Lord we have been able to do a distribution to the helpless students today. Around 100 students and their parents have gathered in a public place with the presence of many local leaders and Pastors. This place is called Azhikal and is in Kollam Kerala. This place is the main tsunami effected area. We felt a burden to reach these people through helping their children continue with their education, and we thank the Lord that this plan went well today. We would like to take the opportunity to thank AMEN and all the donors around the world for making this possible by opening up many many parents hearts and giving hope to many children.

We arranged a special programme for the children. Some people from the Child evangelism fellowship came to help this students voluntarily. They presented a good programme, it was the first time a majority of children and parents have heard the gospel. Many have lifted their hands as a sign of receiving Jesus as the Lord of their life. Someone has opened his house for a further children’s club. We distributed School kits to many students, this kit included bag, uniform, note books, umbrella, Geometry box , pen, gospel tract and NT. This kit was made specially for these people with the name of SEMI.

A good number of people from that place have commented that we had not only responded to the needs of the community but that they also got a spiritual feast as well! Once we had finished giving all the kits we had, another a group nearly 60 students with their parents came and requested us to help them as well because these children were absent ( either they went some other place to stay or in the hospital etc) when we took the survey.

So we thank you once again AMEN and all the people who love and care for the people who have suffered as a result of the tsunami in Kerala , India . Please pray for all those who made a profession of faith in Jesus and that this will be the start of a fruitful work in that area. We would very much wish to start a Sunday school over there.

With love and prayer

Your friends

Roy & Ponna"

Roy giving out a school kit to a young girl

Children with their kits in "SEMI" bags - in the background is Roy and two of the students from SEMI

The children are very happy and enthusiastic

When the money was received to support a further 60 children, Roy and Ponna and their students visited the area again and received a wonderful welcome. Roy writes on 18th August :

"Dear Praying friends, Greetings from India in Jesus Name.

It is our immense joy to share with you again our experience with the Tsunami children. We visited them recently and distributed the School kit for the another 60 children. These children’s were absent when we gave out the school kit first time- most of them went for the treatment and others left the place because of fear. Around 300 people gathered yesterday to witness this, while people asked us to tell them on what basis or why we had taken this initiative to help them in this manner.

We took this as an opportunity to share with them. We said “nothing but the love of Christ” mentioned in the Bible. Out of love we wanted to help them in this small way. Ponna and SEMI students did a “Statue” drama which also communicated the gospel very well. After that our students personally met many people.

Last time we saw many children opening their heart for the Lord, but this time many of their parents also responded positively for the gospel. It is a different experience for us also because since SEMI began we only focused on training evangelists for Church planting. Now we understand that the focus of training needs to be wider and be available for the need of the needy.

Every person expressed their thanks and there were many tears, here are few testimonies.

Lelitha said “ I lost my husband and house myself and with my 3 children’s left over after the calamity many days with out food or shelter we slept on the public bath room side when I think of my children I decided to suicide by taking food poison but now I feel joy in my heart”……she could not complete her words.

Manikanden says “ This many years (he is now 47 ) I lost my wife and destroyed my family because of alcohol - therefore I could not do anything for my children - now I have lost one of my sons and I have one with me from now on - I am leaving my bad habit because of your visit and concern for us”.

Jayasree after receiving the School kit said “ My child is smart now”

There are many many stories like that we would like to add more in our next prayer letter. Even though none from those people not knowing how this could became possible, but we know your sacrificial gift encouragement and prayer brought this result. Therefore we SEMI want to say Thank you so very much.

God bless you all!

Roy & Ponna "