Disaster through the eyes of a child

When walking around the relief camp set up by Sevabharathi, it was easy to forget that a tragedy was still unfolding. This particular camp had a playground, medical center, small convenient stores, and a healthy supply of desalinized water and food supply. It is easy to begin to think that there is a going to be a better future for many of the Tsunami affected people.

That is when a child who has lost both parents walks up to you holding her only way of really communicating to a foreigner just how she feels.   The photo copy is of a British News Paper posting an article titled "Disaster through the eyes of a child" showcasing a picture that this particular child has drawn expressing her emotions of the trama she has experienced.  It is at this point that a realization comes; What is this child’s future?  Who is going to take care of her?

There are thousand of children like this, a whole generation that will need a helping hand out of the poverty trap.  This is when you realize that relief is just that, relief, not a solution.  Poverty reduction is at the heart of Tripura’s goals.  Educating girls such as this will be critical for successful recovery.  Currently, thoughtful individuals are sponsoring the education of two young girls from Nagapattinum through Tripura's Girls Town program.

Girls Town