Distribution of relief materials in January 2005:

Udavum Karangal had studied the situation of 3 villages comprising of 555 families and were given relief materials (packages). The details are as follows:

These villages are situated about 120 km away from Chennai city in the district of Kancheepuram. The materials were purchased and collected from Chennai city and systematically distributed with the help of the volunteers. Each package costs Rs. 3,000/- and the details are given below:

Distribution in the month of May 2005

Udavum Karangal has done a thorough survey and study of the fisher folk affected by tsunami and finally decided to adopt a village, which requires reconstruction with livelihood means. After having met the government personnel deputed to tsunami rehabilitation, it was decided that Udavum Karangal should adopt Kanathur Kuppam in Kanchipuram district. This village has 87 families and most of them are very poor. This village is situated about 85 k.m. from Chennai city on East Coast Road. As there was a delay on the part of the government in allocating the villages to NGOs and other corporate sectors. Udavum Karangal too had to wait for the official allocation from the government. In the meantime, Udavum Karangal and the people of Kanathur Kuppam had met several times and discussed various possible measures of rehabilitation. A few of the activities carried out by Udavum Karangal in the interim period are given below:

Fishing Nets:

As the people had lost their livelihoods, i.e., boats, nets. It was decided to provide 400 kg of fishing nets to the people to resume fishing after tsunami. Accordingly, the nets were (Gill nets) distributed in the month of May 2005 in the presence Retd Director General of Police Mr.V.R. Lakshminarayanan. As Government and other NGOs are providing livelihood means to fishermen of Kanathur Kuppam, Udavum Karangal concentrates only in rebuilding the houses and other infrastructural facilities. 

Distribution of Clothes for the aged:

About 50 aged people of Kanathur Kuppam were provided with a set of dothies and sarees.

Providing Bore well:

As the people of Kanathur Kuppam were sheltered in the temporary sheds, found difficult to meet their water requirements. Hence, Udavum Karangal dug a bore well and motor was installed to supply water to the sintex tanks kept in three different spots for the use of the people. 

ACTIVITIES DURING THE MONTH OF JUNE 2005:

For School Children:

The team of volunteers of UDAVUM KARANGAL have surveyed the need of the school going children and identified 6 schools to be helped with necessary requirements in the districts of Kancheepuram and Villupuram. The details of the help rendered by UDAVUM KARANGAL to these children are as follows:

Besides a set of uniform, pen, pencil, geometry box, note-books, school bag, slippers, stainless steel plate and tumbler and dolls were given to all the students. A set of 142 books consisting of famous stories, general knowledge, biography of famous people/leaders, science, social science, awareness-creating folks were given to all the schools in order to upgrade their library for the use of students.

Apart from the above, play materials like Chess-boards, cricket kits, volley ball, soft balls, foot balls, carom boards, etc., were distributed to all the above schools.

FORMATION OF WOMEN’S SANGHAMS:

Udavum Karangal had taken a lead to organize the women of Kanathur Kuppam through conscientization process. As a result, there are four women’s Sanghams in the village, which take consorted efforts towards their empowerment.

ASSISTANCE TO BALWADI CHILDREN:

About 35 children aged between 2-4 years were given play materials and stainless steel plates and tumblers at Kanathur Kuppam village.

APPOINTMENT OF TEACHERS:

There is a Government primary school at Kanathur, where 110 children are studying from Class I to V standard. This school is a single-teacher school and the teacher has to manage all the classes. After studying the need for additional teachers, Udavum Karangal appointed two staff members to help the students and effectively tutor them. The honorarium for the teachers is being paid by Udavum Karangal from June 2005. 

Besides the above, a borewell situated in the school campus has been desilted and repaired in order to supply the required drinking water for the students and staff.

Further Relief measures planned:
Housing:

Udavum Karangal has adopted Kanathur Kuppam in Kanchipuram District and propose to build 87 permanent houses along with basic amenities like road, sanitation, drinking water, community hall, electricity connection, recreation-cum-play ground, shops, library, rainwater harvesting, drainage, balwadi centre etc. Each house measuring appr 300 sq.ft. would be constructed at 3 cents of land at Kanathur Kuppam. The land required for construction would be purchased from the neighbouring landowners and houses will be built as per the guidelines of the government. The construction process will commence in the month of September 2005. The cost estimate of each house is Rs.1,50,000/- and houses will be built uniformly. The approximate amount required for entire rebuilding of the village with all infrastructure facilities along with the required land would cost Rs. 1,82,00,000/- (Rupees 18.2 million). The copy of the housing plan proposed by the government is enclosed herewith.

Renovation and Construction of extension building of Primary Health Centre:

There is a primary health center at Koovathur having 19 staff members including two AMP doctors. This center covers 25 villages having a population of 33,000. Udavum Karangal had decided after a brief study and survey that the present dilapidated primary health center building should be repaired and provided with additional building and infra-structural facilities. The medical lab needs to be well equipped with basic facilities and a vehicle is a must for reaching the people who are in need. Besides, a compound wall around PHC must be constructed to protect the premises and infrastructure facilities. The approximate cost involved in this venture is being worked out along with the architects and engineers.

Construction Of Compound Wall For School:

Further, a compound wall for the school will be constructed shortly for the safety of the children and properties of school at Kanathur. The approximate cost involved in this venture is also being worked out along with the architects and engineers.