India can be a funny place.
I went out to buy a greeting card the other day, which is something of an amusing activity here; cards are generally large, heavily decorated, and adorned with English sentiments that are really close to making sense. I has a lovely time finding one with just the right mix of silliness, kitch and emotion, and went to purchase.
On the back, in small, stark letters, it read, "Greeting cards are more thoughtful than most other communication options."
You can't pay for that kind of endorsement.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
Koppal Flooding
The following is a copy of a letter I wrote a few weeks ago to send out, regarding Visthar's response to a series of particularly nasty floods in Northern Karnataka. At this point, the immediate relief is underway - slower than ideal, but happening. As a result, there are fewer people living under trees. I have pasted this here as a by-the-by, regarding the situation and some of the work being undertaken at Visthar:
October 12, 2009: Namaskara, Salaam, Namaste! I am writing from Visthar, a civil society organization located just outside the south Indian city of Bangalore (Visthar.org).
I recently visited Visthar’s satellite location in Koppal District, in northern Karnataka (the state where Bangalore is located) – one of the poorest districts (like American counties) in India. I saw an area plagued by poverty, and discrimination based on gender and caste. I met bonded laborers (modern slaves); a chief of district police; sharecroppers; a concierge who knew Bismarck, ND; and religious prostitutes (called “Devadasis”) and their children. Visthar works specifically with these children of Devadasis. Everyone I met was extremely hospitable – letting us visit their homes, singing at village gatherings, meeting with us, feeding us. It is this hospitality that I have in mind as I write.
Since my visit, Koppal and the surrounding areas have been receiving record rains, resulting in the worst flooding in memory. The national government in Delhi has named the entire area, covering two states, a national disaster. Flooding is bad enough, but when houses are built from packed mud, and an entire year’s supply of food grain is stored in a clay pot, flash floods or a burst dam are an immediate crisis—people going from “little” to “nothing.” The entire region has been affected, but here are some numbers from Koppal District flooding alone:
•22 people killed,
•22566 houses collapsed,
•14 bridges collapsed,
•134 km of roads swept away,
•Limited clean water access,
•~ 23,000 people in relief camps.
•Currently no count for animals or crops lost, but agricultural damage will be heavy
While in India, I have been asked by many how to help people here. Having been to Koppal, I know that supporting Visthar’s relief efforts there is an immediate way to help people who are truly in need. There is some government support for people in the district, but there is a gap between what the government is able to provide and what the people need. Even the US Embassy has pledged $100,000 to support relief, but that money is “government to government,” whereas Visthar is an established organization with experience helping the poorest community members in Koppal – the kinds of people that are often left behind by government support. Visthar has three primary goals:
1) To provide basic food rations, clothing, medicine, footwear, and cooking utensils to affected people in 20 villages in the Koppal area,
2) To supplement the government money allocated to families for home reconstruction.
3) To asses the long-term needs for rehabilitation, and connect those most in need (particularly women and low castes) with the resources and outlets to procure the necessary tools to rebuild their lives.
Several people in the US have expressed interest in helping the relief efforts in Koppal. Wakonda Christian Church has agreed to be a central gathering point for all relief donations. Through Wakonda, Visthar will track all donations to send receipts and updates (please include email or address where you would like to receive updates). **At this time, these donations will not be tax deductible, and Wakonda will not issue a receipt. If you are interested in supporting the relief efforts in Koppal, make your check out to Wakonda Christian Church, clearly marked, “India- Koppal flood relief.” Send checks to: Wakonda Christian Church, 3938 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321. This is the home church of Lindsay Fox, a Visthar employee who will be returning to the US in November to finalize all relief transactions.
Thanks for reading, and considering Visthar’s Koppal effort. This is a case where your efforts really make a difference.
Times of India: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/specialcoverage/5093607.cms
US Embassy: http://chennai.usconsulate.gov/indpr091008.html
New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/06/world/asia/06india.html?scp=8&sq=&st=nyt
October 12, 2009: Namaskara, Salaam, Namaste! I am writing from Visthar, a civil society organization located just outside the south Indian city of Bangalore (Visthar.org).
I recently visited Visthar’s satellite location in Koppal District, in northern Karnataka (the state where Bangalore is located) – one of the poorest districts (like American counties) in India. I saw an area plagued by poverty, and discrimination based on gender and caste. I met bonded laborers (modern slaves); a chief of district police; sharecroppers; a concierge who knew Bismarck, ND; and religious prostitutes (called “Devadasis”) and their children. Visthar works specifically with these children of Devadasis. Everyone I met was extremely hospitable – letting us visit their homes, singing at village gatherings, meeting with us, feeding us. It is this hospitality that I have in mind as I write.
Since my visit, Koppal and the surrounding areas have been receiving record rains, resulting in the worst flooding in memory. The national government in Delhi has named the entire area, covering two states, a national disaster. Flooding is bad enough, but when houses are built from packed mud, and an entire year’s supply of food grain is stored in a clay pot, flash floods or a burst dam are an immediate crisis—people going from “little” to “nothing.” The entire region has been affected, but here are some numbers from Koppal District flooding alone:
•22 people killed,
•22566 houses collapsed,
•14 bridges collapsed,
•134 km of roads swept away,
•Limited clean water access,
•~ 23,000 people in relief camps.
•Currently no count for animals or crops lost, but agricultural damage will be heavy
While in India, I have been asked by many how to help people here. Having been to Koppal, I know that supporting Visthar’s relief efforts there is an immediate way to help people who are truly in need. There is some government support for people in the district, but there is a gap between what the government is able to provide and what the people need. Even the US Embassy has pledged $100,000 to support relief, but that money is “government to government,” whereas Visthar is an established organization with experience helping the poorest community members in Koppal – the kinds of people that are often left behind by government support. Visthar has three primary goals:
1) To provide basic food rations, clothing, medicine, footwear, and cooking utensils to affected people in 20 villages in the Koppal area,
2) To supplement the government money allocated to families for home reconstruction.
3) To asses the long-term needs for rehabilitation, and connect those most in need (particularly women and low castes) with the resources and outlets to procure the necessary tools to rebuild their lives.
Several people in the US have expressed interest in helping the relief efforts in Koppal. Wakonda Christian Church has agreed to be a central gathering point for all relief donations. Through Wakonda, Visthar will track all donations to send receipts and updates (please include email or address where you would like to receive updates). **At this time, these donations will not be tax deductible, and Wakonda will not issue a receipt. If you are interested in supporting the relief efforts in Koppal, make your check out to Wakonda Christian Church, clearly marked, “India- Koppal flood relief.” Send checks to: Wakonda Christian Church, 3938 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321. This is the home church of Lindsay Fox, a Visthar employee who will be returning to the US in November to finalize all relief transactions.
Thanks for reading, and considering Visthar’s Koppal effort. This is a case where your efforts really make a difference.
Times of India: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/specialcoverage/5093607.cms
US Embassy: http://chennai.usconsulate.gov/indpr091008.html
New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/06/world/asia/06india.html?scp=8&sq=&st=nyt
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