Dr. Jean Lieu -Tsunami Relief and Rescue/January 5, 2005-Pappankoil (outskirt of Nagapattinam)
January 5, 2005Pappankoil (outskirt of Nagapattinam)
We took off late last night. Fortunately, I was able to sleep during the ride. But I really didn't have a choice; although my mind was wide awake, my body was so exhausted I no longer had control over whether my eyes remained open or shut. I could have slept standing if I had to. I spent most of the day negotiating a discount on books and school supplies for the children. When asked what they wanted most, the children said they wanted to go back to school but had lost all of their books and school supplies. It seemed to me a small request. They've lost so much and all it took to make them happy was school supplies. And after seeing how poverty clung to India, donating money to buy books seemed like a long term investment as well. The most precious resource of any country is its children. Not only will these books bring them a small happiness, but it would help them focus on the future and distract them from the tragedy that had struck them so unfairly and mercilessly. The injured have been taken care of. The adult needs are being addressed. The dead are gone and will eventually be buried. It is the living that must suffer the pain and burden. It is the children that must be cared for. I still saw innocence in their eyes. The young ones still played in the streets, still thinking that their parents will return to take them home, still waiting in vain for parents that will never come.
We've been on the road since midnight last night. I've lost track of the days and hours altogether. We finally made it to the outskirts of Nagapattinam to a town called Pappankoil. The villagers showed us how their lakes have dried up and how two thousand bodies had washed up in the lake that was their backyard. Just yesterday, the last body had been buried in a mass grave beside the lake. As tragic as the story was, the lake seemed still and peaceful; not a hint was present to depict the horrible tragedy. Life continued as people struggled to pick up the pieces and move on. The children smiled, their eyes bright and sparkling. The adults stared as they marveled at these foreigners visiting their village since they get very few visitors in this lonely place. I couldn't get over the innocence and beauty of the young girls who greeted us, such dark glossy hair and skin, round bright innocent eyes and a smile to warm the coldest hearts. Everywhere I looked, I encountered faces smiling, beaming with earnest friendliness and curiosity. Even in the midst of death and destruction, hope still shone in their eyes.
We took off late last night. Fortunately, I was able to sleep during the ride. But I really didn't have a choice; although my mind was wide awake, my body was so exhausted I no longer had control over whether my eyes remained open or shut. I could have slept standing if I had to. I spent most of the day negotiating a discount on books and school supplies for the children. When asked what they wanted most, the children said they wanted to go back to school but had lost all of their books and school supplies. It seemed to me a small request. They've lost so much and all it took to make them happy was school supplies. And after seeing how poverty clung to India, donating money to buy books seemed like a long term investment as well. The most precious resource of any country is its children. Not only will these books bring them a small happiness, but it would help them focus on the future and distract them from the tragedy that had struck them so unfairly and mercilessly. The injured have been taken care of. The adult needs are being addressed. The dead are gone and will eventually be buried. It is the living that must suffer the pain and burden. It is the children that must be cared for. I still saw innocence in their eyes. The young ones still played in the streets, still thinking that their parents will return to take them home, still waiting in vain for parents that will never come.
We've been on the road since midnight last night. I've lost track of the days and hours altogether. We finally made it to the outskirts of Nagapattinam to a town called Pappankoil. The villagers showed us how their lakes have dried up and how two thousand bodies had washed up in the lake that was their backyard. Just yesterday, the last body had been buried in a mass grave beside the lake. As tragic as the story was, the lake seemed still and peaceful; not a hint was present to depict the horrible tragedy. Life continued as people struggled to pick up the pieces and move on. The children smiled, their eyes bright and sparkling. The adults stared as they marveled at these foreigners visiting their village since they get very few visitors in this lonely place. I couldn't get over the innocence and beauty of the young girls who greeted us, such dark glossy hair and skin, round bright innocent eyes and a smile to warm the coldest hearts. Everywhere I looked, I encountered faces smiling, beaming with earnest friendliness and curiosity. Even in the midst of death and destruction, hope still shone in their eyes.
posted by Unknown @ 12:53 AM
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