How cute are they?I've done a lot of great travel, but somewhere along the way in my trip to Vietnam last year I decided that on my next trip around one of Asia's poorer countries, I wanted to not only see the country, but help some people along the way.
Luckily, many of my industrius fellow Gifu JET's were way ahead of me. This is their creation.
As you probably don't know, I'm going to be participating in a pretty incredible volunteer project in India this Spring, through a non-profit organization called Longitude, from April 28th to May 6th.
I'm asking all of you for a small bit of your help in sponsoring some pretty incredible life-changing improvements for the people of a small village in southeast India.
I'll tell you about the village:
The Village
The horrible 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, which devastated so many families and communities throughout Southeast Asia, wrought exceptional disaster on the coastal village of Kothasatram/Indiranagar in Andhra Pradesh, India. The lovely people of this village also happen to belong to the lowest levels of the Hindu Caste system, and are referred to as the Dalit (formerly "Untouchables"). Of course, we've all read about Untouchables in school, but the system that keeps them down is still very much in place. The Dalits are systematically and relentlessly denied their rights, resources and support despite the fact that caste-based discrimination has been constitutionally outlawed for years. When the tsunami literally washed away this village of earthen huts, these people, who had nothing, lost everything. Then everything they were promised and deserved to receive, like food, water, or compassion, was denied them by local bureaucrats, who kept it for themselves because they considered the Untouchables sub-human, not worthy of any attention or empathy, let alone rice, bottled water or emergency shelter.
Now I'll tell you about the project which I've joined.
Project
In cooperation with a long running, pro-Dalit rights non-profit organization in India, the Association of Relief Volunteers (ARV), Longitude established the Building Communities project just after the Tsunami as a means of bringing emergency relief and sustained support to the struggling village. In 2006, a crew of international volunteers broke ground on the construction of 45 family homes. Several groups have since returned to continue the construction. My group will be finishing the walls and roofs of as many houses as possible during our stay in April and May.
All donations to Building Communities will purchase building materials to complete 49 homes for about 250 people in Kothasatram / Indiranagar. The villagers live(d) in earthen huts with palm leaf roofs. When the tsunami struck, it literally washed their homes away. They rebuilt their homes as before, but many are still cramped with 4-6 people sleeping directly on dirt floors. Although the tsunami has passed, the villagers have expressed their need for strong, sturdy homes that will withstand the seasonal threats of cyclones, rain, flooding and the general ravages of nature.
Many of my friends here in Japan and my girlfriend have gone to Kothasatram/Indiranagar Village, and for each one of them it has been a life-changing experience. The gratitude, hospitality, and beauty that these folks have shown my friends was exceptional, and I would like to think it's a worthwhile cause to make their lives a little better. I hope you can help me.
How You Can Help
My crew has set a Fundraising goal of US$14,220 to purchase the necessary construction materials for our work camp, where we'll hopefully complete 80% of the houses in the village. To help us raise Funds and get these houses built please consider making a secure online donation via credit card at http://www.golongitude.org/www
Ultimately, the more we can raise, the more families we can place in permanent homes.
If you want to make a donation using a check or from a non-US location, or if you're interested in joining a future Volunteer expedition, feel free to contact Rick Mickelson, Longitude's Director of International Volunteering, for more details. His email is volunteer@golongitude.org.
Thanks!
I really appreciate your support and sponsorship of my volunteer project. You would be amazed how far your money will go in India, and how much good it can really do. It's remarkable. Your contribution will go a long way in providing the means and resources to build these communities, both the physical structures and the support and compassion necessary for them to thrive.
Thanks a lot, or in the Telugu language of the villagers you are helping,
WANDANAMURU!
Take care,
Jay
http://www.golongitude.org/www
Some photos from previous trips to Kothasatram/Indiranagar village:
Kids getting healthy meals:
Hong called him "Naked boy"
