[PEACE] long term help for tsunami victims

[Dietrich Fischer <102464.1110 at compuserve.com>]

Dear all,                                        16. January 2005

     We have all been deeply saddened by the terrible tsunami
disaster that cost thousands of lives in many countries.  Many
lives could probably have been saved if those who measured this
giant earthquake under the sea, and knew from historical experience
that it may generate a tsunami, had immediately passed on a warning
to anyone they knew, who could have relayed it further. We all must
learn that earthquakes at sea may be followed by tsunamis, and that
we should flee to higher ground in case of a strong quake, or if we
see the ocean level sink before the destructive wave follows.

     I am sure that many of you have already contributed to various
organizatons doing emergency relief work. If you wish to contribute
to healing the longer term suffering of those who are directly
affected by this catastrophe, I would like to recommend a project
in Nagercoil at the southernmost tip of India, initiated by Dr. S.
P. Udayakumar, or for short, "Kumar", as his friends call him.

     Initially, Kumar and his wife Meera wanted to open an
orphanage for children who lost both parents in the tsunami, but
the government does not let private people open orphanages. They
now focus on long-term projects for the time after the TV crews
have left. Together with friends from Austria and the USA, they
help set up counselling centers, an old age home, help for the
disabled, and disaster education projects.

     I wish to say a bit more about Kumar and Meera. In 2001, they
left well-paying jobs in the United States and took their personal
savings to fulfill their old dream, to build and run an elementary
school in Kumar's home town, for children from poor families of
farmers and fishermen who would have little educational opportunity
otherwise. The school now has 67 children and 7 teachers, and is
gradually expanding. It also provides vocational training to older
children, and runs community education projects. Through this, they
have made a real difference in the life of many, lifting them out
of poverty. Kumar is the founder and director of SACCER (the South
Asian Community Center for Education and Research).

     Kumar also teaches workshops in India and abroad on conflict
resolution, human rights and nonviolence, and has given an internet
course free of charge for participants from India, Pakistan and
other countries about "Reconciliation between India and Pakistan."

     He founded and directs a citizens organization that reveals
the dangers of the planned nuclear power reactors at Koodankulam
near Nagercoil, which could expose a large population to deadly
radiation in case of an accident. The organization also opposes
nuclear weapons. He has published "The Koodankulam Handbook," which
provides information about the risks of nuclear power that is
withheld from the public by the government, and distributes a
regular electronic bulletin with the latest information.

     Fortunately, Kumar's family and all the students and teachers
of their school survived the tsunami, but many lost relatives and
friends, and some of the children became orphans. Kumar and Meera
immediately began to help the wounded and bereaved, and set up a
trust to help those in need. They are very caring people.

     If you wish, you can send a contribution (payable to Tamilnadu
Foundation) to the following foundation that will pass the money on
to the SACCER Trust for long-term rehabilitation work. Please make
sure you write "SACCER Tsunami Project" on your checks. I know that
every cent of your contribution will go to the affected people.

Tamilnadu Foundation USA, Inc.
(A Non-profit Charitable Tax Exempt Organization)
Mr. Mani Rajendran, Treasurer
1873, Morgan Circle,
Naperville, IL, 60565, USA.
Phone: 412-492-8706
Web: http://www.tnfusa.org/
Email: mani at numerictech.com

Kumar's address:
Dr. S. P. Udayakumar
42/27 Esankai Mani Veethy
Parakkai Road Junction
Nagercoil 629 002
Tamil Nadu, India
Phone: 91-4652-240657
Email: drspudayakumar at yahoo.com
Website: groups.yahoo.com/group/saccerfriends/

Please share this information with others who may be interested.

I hope that 2005 will be a happy and healthy year for everyone!

Dietrich

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