Letter* from Salvatorians in India- January 4, 2005 

Last Sunday Srs. Leenamary, Vineetha, Molly, Vincy, Sonia and I went together with our Lay Salvatorians Mr. Joy, Mr. Benny, Mr. Sebastian and Mr. Anil to... Kolachel at Tamil Nadu. .....Fr. Shaji is the (Salvatorian) parish priest in Mampally parish in Trivandrum ....accompanied us and guided us to reach the most affected area in Kolachel. The scene at Pillaithope in Kolachel is still heart breaking: from fragile huts to sturdy buildings, everything that came in the path of the Tiger Waves was either uprooted or brought down.

We also paid homage to the 65 victims of Tsunami who were buried in a mass grave at Pillaithope. On the day we were there they found six more bodies... victims of the tsunami. They are still searching for the missing victims.....

People in the relief camp are in panic and still mourning for their beloved ones who lost their lives.  They are .... in need of counseling and psychological support. After receiving the Government relief fund, they will be brought to temporary shelters in their own villages until new houses are built. Kottar diocese in Tamil Nadu has taken up the responsibility to rebuild three villages.  We could experience that the rich and poor alike are generously helping to bring them back ...to normal life.

As a Salvatorian Family we (are) glad to extend a small helping hand being in solidarity with them. Let us continue to pray and support them.

Sr. Grace Mary Cherian, SDS

Indian District Superior

(*Edited for length; photos inserted)