Update: Read about our new work building homes in South Asia - Click Here

JOH India Program Coordinator and Judi Kloper traveled to South Asia in the wake of the Tsunami.  Here is her report.

"Our relief work to this village was the first help that they received since the tsunami hit. We arrived in the morning and spent the day, past sunset. We went along with Carol from Care and Share, (www.careshare.org), some of teachers from the school that Care and Share built on their campus in Vijayawada, Dr. Sushila, staff from Care and Share, along with interpreters. Welcoming us was the WHOLE village with the mayor. We were greeted with garlands of jasmine and other flowers, and everyone wanting to touch us and thank us for being there. As we got off, we noticed a number of new boats, and one was freshly painted with JOURNEYS OF THE HEART USA on it!! It was one of the ones we have or are purchasing for the village, which lost 300 boats, and the boat was filled with new fishing nets and ropes which we also purchased. How exciting it was for all of us, not just the villagers! To see where some of the funds which have donated by JOH supporters has been spent was very gratifying for me and for Cathie, my coworker who is with me.

(Note: Judi is pictured to the left of the new boat, Cathie to the right)

Also purchased with Tsunami relief funds raised by JOH and brought by us to the village was enough rice, dhal (lentils), cooking oil, and fresh drinking water for all the families of the village, plus some from another village nearby. We helped distribute all of that...I have to say that it was an eye-opener for me, because even though I have been to slums in India and other places and seen so much poverty, it was the act of handing out the basics, the staples, that made me stand back for a moment in awe of how wealthy we are in America, how much we have, how much we take for granted. The endless supplies of food and clean drinking water are things I hope I never take for granted again.

(left, food distribution)

In addition to all this, JOH funds purchased enough vaccinations for 327 people for Typhoid. While the families lined up with their kids, the doctor set up the table with help from her assistants from Care and Share. The kids were crying even before it was their turn...perhaps it was the glimpse of the needle they saw from where they were standing, or maybe it was the cries of the ones up front that triggered all the others to begin whimpering and eventually wailing! I found myself clowning around with the kids, hoping to distract them while the needle poked them...it was all over in seconds for each child and thankfully their cries immediately turned to smiles. The doctor also saw many more patients after that who needed to be looked at for various ailments...after all, no medical care had been there in more than a month."

(right, dispensing vaccinations)

Together we can help those in India NOW with everything from clean water, to food, to clothing, to new wells...and much, much more.  Please forward our link to your friends, family, and coworkers.  Also, tell them about our site and our Love The Children fund.  We consider our fund one of the most unique in the non-profit community, with no donated money going to overhead, administration, salaries, etc. 

Please click here to see page two of photos

Please click here to see page three of photos

Please click here to see page four of photos

To make an online donation click below.

For more information on the JOH Love The Children Fund please click here. 

For the special appeal from the Indian fishing village please click here.

Update: Corvallis Gazette-Times story, Tsunami relief.