Information Bulletin
13 December 2005
Study visit to Tamil Nadu hailed a success
Councillor Drew Ratter, who is still visiting the southern India state of Tamil Nadu, has said that his time in the area has been very informative and enabled valuable headway in developing long-term links with the area.
The Councillor said:
"It has been crucial to understand the current circumstances faced by communities affected by the tsunami in order for Shetland to achieve the greatest positive impact with the Council funding. Handing the funding over to NGOs would have been futile. What we're finding is that funding is not being used constructively in a number of circumstances. For example, some villages now have four times the number of boats, with insufficient people to man them and divisions developing in the community. In fact, I believe there is a real danger that the amount of direct funding focusing on relief work has the potential to destroy the natural drive of communities. The development of a culture of handouts is apparent in some areas already. However, we have found an organisation which is delivering positive long-term rehabilitation with the village of Tharaganbadi."
The Hope Foundation have been working closely with the community, already establishing a school and vocational training centre with the villagers. Shetland has the opportunity to assist this work by enhancing the skills of pupils and teachers, in, for example ICT, textile design and micro business development. Children from the age of three can be sponsored through their education and links can be made between schools.
"What impressed me most is Hope's long-term vision: they will ensure an education for children from three right through to work opportunities, whether vocational or onto university."
The visit has also enabled links to be made with a school in the state which will become involved in the Global classroom.
"The success of this visit is largely down to being accompanied by Saro and Gowri Saravanan, from Scalloway."
Ends….
Press Notes
The SIC agreed, earlier this year, to donate 100,000 pounds to communities affected by the tsunami. And latterly that this funding should be used to establish long-term links with an area.
Legally a local authority is unable to donate funding to other communities or NGOs, but is able to use the funding over a period of time to develop long-term links.
Tharaganbadi is a fishing village of 1500 households, approximately 30 miles north of Naggapattinam and six or so hours drive from Chennai (to the north). Over 300 people were killed by the tsunami, in particular children (75%), women and elderly people.
More information on the Hope foundation can be found at http://www.hopefoundation.info/index.html
Contact Details:
Cllr Drew Ratter: 07768 551952
NB: India is 5.5 hours in front of UK.