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| Linda Marie Jones of Wilmington, N.C., examines an Indian boy during a medical camp for tsunami victims in Cuddalore, India |
CUDDALORE, India – Weather forecasters predict Cuddalore, India, this week will be sunny with mild temperatures – perfect fishing weather. But in this fishing community on India’s eastern shore, fishermen are not fishing. That stopped Dec. 26 when tsunami waves swept away some boats and even more lives.
Now, some are desperate to rebuild and restore their livelihood. "If I had my boat right now, I’d be out there fishing," said one fisherman to the group of CBF Global Missions field personnel in India.
But fishermen are being slowed by local mechanics who are overcharging for boat motor repairs. After field personnel showed fisherman that repairs could be made for nearly a third of the mechanics’ price, "the expression on their face just changed when they saw that it was possible for them to get their boats (working again). There was hope," Eddie Aldape said.
Not only did Aldape and other CBF relief workers challenge the fishermen to make one boat operational, but they offered to pay for all the repair parts. "We’re trying to not just fix their boats, but let them learn how to fix it themselves," Aldape said.
Field personnel and volunteers are not only empowering workers to restart businesses, but they are meeting survivors’ medical needs at a medical camp operated by Dr. Moses Kharat, an Indian doctor, and his wife, Smita, who serves as the pharmacist, and two volunteer nurses from North Carolina, Cokie Westfall and Linda Marie Jones. The partnership began Jan. 3 when the Fellowship responded to a medicine shortage.
Now, about 120 people a day flock to the medical camp. Their cuts have turned into infections. Their personal experiences of tragedy and loss have turned into psychological problems. Their repeated consumption of unclean water has resulted in respiratory infections. While waiting for medical treatment, victims are provided with purified water.
The tsunami’s impact isn’t just physical. "Every day we’ve been seeing more and more people that are starting to react. They are in shock, a lot of them. Some of the kids don’t laugh. We take pictures of them on our digital camera, and they start smiling," Aldape said.
Even though relief is pouring into the area, shock is still taking a toll. Malnutrition is stemming not from lack of food but from lack of appetite. "They aren’t eating properly because they aren’t hungry," Aldape said.
In an area where 2,000 people clung to a bridge in order to survive the tsunami’s rushing waves, many want to share their story with Aldape and other volunteers. However, language differences prevent that story from being told. Aldape said he is trying to stir local church members to come to the affected areas just to listen to survivors and let them tell their stories.
CBF has committed to three months in Cuddalore and the surrounding area, Aldape said. "We’re trying to do everything we can in this community and really make an impact," he said.
Volunteer needs, particularly for medical staff, will be available through CBF Volunteer Missions. More information about volunteering is available at http://www.thefellowship.info/Global%20Missions/Volunteer%20Missions/asiarelief.icm.
CBF is a fellowship of Baptist Christians and churches who share a passion for the Great Commission and a commitment to Baptist principles of faith and practice. The Fellowship’s mission is to serve Christians and churches as they discover and fulfill their God-given mission.