The tsunami that devastated South Asia in December left an estimated 295,000 people dead. In India it also orphaned 1,744 children (644 of whom are below 5) and 1,450 children (800 of whom are below 5) lost one parent in the disaster. The region has since been straining to house and support these tsunami orphans as they cope with losing their parents—and in some cases their entire families.

    Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar (2002 MA), a native of Chennai, India, wanted to help. She organized a 10-day relief trip to Chennai to work with 10 children now living in Orphanage Sarada Sakthi Peetam on the outskirts of the massive city in South India. She and the four others who accompanied her on the trip helped the children adjust to their new lives; they also plan to use this trip as a first step toward providing long-term support for the children.  

    The team worked with tsunami orphans in Karikal, a city about 5 hours from Chennai, India. The thirty orphans at Karikal live in the surrounding areas of Nagapattiam, Aregpatti, and Karikal itself.

    For more information on the trip or to get involved in on-going relief efforts please contact:
Mohana at mrajakum@andrew.cmu.edu or 412-708-5718.

You can also support ISoP's efforts by purchasing tickets to Midsummer Mela II

Read the daily journal that the group kept, to find out more

|  Day One  |  Day Two  |  Day Three  |  Day Four  |  Day Five  |  Future Plans  |