Italian aid group ties up with local mission to rebuild tsunami–hit village

Vijaywada – In the wake of the devastation and carnage left behind by the December tsunami, New Humanity, an Italian aid group, has tied up with Nirmala Sisters of Vijayawada to help the tsunami–affected villagers of Palle Thalla Palem in coastal Andhra Pradesh rebuild their lives.

Three representatives of the group visited Palem village in the first week of May along with Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate (Nirmala Sisters) Sr. Lorenza Calcagni, the project officer, and her colleague, Sr. Vandana MSI, a social worker, for the flagging off of two big new community boats and four catamarans, built specially for community fishing.

“It is indeed a great occasion for both New Humanity and the Palle Thalla Palem fishermen to come together in dialogue and cooperation to rebuild life and regenerate new creative ventures,” said Mr. Antonio del Monte, the representative of New Humanity, speaking at a “boat–launching” ceremony. He assured the villagers “total support in their life’s struggles.”

The provincial of Nirmala Sisters, Sr. Agnes Martis, appreciated the fisherfolk for their determination to overcome the hurdles in building a “true community”. She praised them for their cooperation during the community education programmes, their willingness and courage to learn new ideas and to put them into practice. She promised to make her sisters available for the project work in the village.

Palle Thalla Palem has about 330 families and over 1,400 inhabitants, most of whom are fishermen. While some have taken up dairy farming, others are agricultural farmers. Restoring damaged fishing infrastructure and developing agricultural and horticultural post–tsunami were urgently needed in the village.

In December last year, when Nirmala Sisters rushed to the rescue of tsunami victims of Palle Thalla Palem, the ecclesial authorities, who were controlling the tsunami rehabilitation programme of the Vijayawada Diocese, allotted them Palle Thalla Palem village. Sisters Vandana and Peniala MSI decided to live in the village for ten days to study the ground realities.

In the beginning, the villagers demanded only rice from the MSI Sisters, besides seeking withdrawal of all court cases among the villagers, thus making the Palle Thalla Palem a conflict–free and crime–free zone. This was also the beginning of a new life for them. They started attending the educational and sensitisation programmes for harmonious community development. They were divided into groups and fishing nets and boats were distributed among them.

Other projects for the villagers comprised water for drinking and domestic use. A committee for water management and cleaning was set and rules were drawn for the maintenance of the new wells and surroundings. Fisheries co–operative was set up to supervise the entire management of the fisheries.