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Dear Friends,
The women at Karunai Illam celebrated Diwali joyfully on November 10, 2015.
Little did they realize that, 5 days later, their home would be submerged under water. With the incessant rain that began on November 12, Chennai and its suburbs were going under water. Karunai Illam is on the banks of the River Cooum, and as the river began to overflow, the water level in the bedrooms began to rise to alarming levels.
Karunai Illam houses 150 women who are all dependent, either mentally ill or mentally challenged, or senior citizens, some of whom are bed -ridden. One can imagine the trauma of these helpless women.
Evacuation began around 2am and it took 3 1/2 hours to carry each one to safety. What a relief when everyone reached the dry grounds of Shanthi Vanam, another home of Udavum Karangal, 5 kilometers away. Thanks to the Social Workers and the Volunteers, everyone was rescued including the dogs and cats. But there was considerable material loss – several months worth of medicines, provisions, beds, clothing, etc.
Essentially, we have to start all over again by first repairing, cleaning, sanitizing, and painting the building, and then re-furbishing it to make it habitable again.
At least the women of Karunai Illam live in safety. Our hearts go out to the less fortunate people in and around Maduravayil who have lost their homes and are now sleeping in graveyards and other shelters. In these conditions, they are exposed to scorpions, snakes, and all sort of disease. To help this community, we have distributed food, clothing, and any other basic essentials that we can share in addition to setting up a medical camp for them.
We seek your urgent help for the restoration of Karunai Illam and for the community of Maduravayil affected by the floods
Here is a list of things which will help us rebuild our home:
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Food items & medical supplies
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Sleeping cots, hospital beds, pillows, sheets
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Furniture, house hold and kitchen utensils
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Gas stoves, wet grinders, electrical fittings
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Clothes, blankets
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Building repair materials
We graciously ask for your contribution of any amount to help us restore our community at this time of crisis. For details, please call Padmini Nathan at 713-829-2040 or email to PRN...@aol.com.
To donate, please use one of the following options and mention “MADURAVAYIL FLOOD RELIEF”
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ONLINE: https://www.myhelpinghands.org and click DONATE
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BY CHECK: Payable to “Udavum Karangal of USA” and mailed to
Udavum Karangal of USA
Attn: Geeta Kannan
23 Crosby Drive
Bedford, MA 01730
With regards,
Padmini R Nathan
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