Beyond Tsunami

Lutheran, The, Mar 2005 by Miller, David L

Martin called the delegation "a walking letter [that displayed] more than solidarity. It is the sharing of life." The delegation also included representatives from LWR and the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Dalit justice

Restoring lives and communities will require the UELCI and its partners to reach inland from the fishing villages that took the brunt of the tsunami. The disaster also is felt in agricultural villages, which are home to some who work on but don't own fishing boats.

Arumugam (cover), 50, was near the beach at Ayyampettai, south of Cuddalore, preparing for business the morning of the tsunami. He clutched a coconut tree as the waves pummeled and nearly drowned him.

He saved his life but lost his livelihood. Each day he bought fish then walked about 5 miles to sell them in his village. But no more. There is no fishing now, and the waves washed away what little money he had to make change and the basket he used to carry the fish.

Government grants will help those who lost loved ones, boats and property, but people like Arumugam will receive nothing, nor will those who work on the boats. Meanwhile they have no income.

The UELCI is paying special attention to the Dalits, once known as "untouchables," who live beneath the lowest rung in India's ancient caste system. The Dalits and fisherfolk, who are of a higher social class, were buried in the same mass graves following the disaster. But social distinctions soon reasserted themselves.

The Dalits, typically farmers and laborers, were sometimes forced from refugee camps. In some villages, they were denied access to relief supplies and clean water given to the fisherfolk. Dalit villages didn't receive the same attention as others. The UELCI, whose membership is overwhelmingly Dalit, has a long-term commitment to Dalit justice issues.

This commitment fans the UELCFs hope to move devastated communities beyond the tsunami to something better. Rebuilding houses and restoring villages to their previous state isn't enough. Martin and the UELCI hope to renew them, instilling a deeper sense of community that offers a better way of life for everyone.

"The tsunami moved us beyond a mission compound mentality to serve others beyond us," says Gideon Devanesan, bishop of the Arcot Lutheran Church, headquartered at Cuddalore. "We explain to people that the tsunami is a naturally occurring phenomenon, not divine retribution. But God has given us the time and knowledge to help-so God can be glorified."

To help

To assist the ELCA's partners as they rebuild communities and lives in India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and other tsunami-affected areas, send checks to ELCA International Disaster Response, Box 71764, Chicago, IL 60694-1764. To give by credit card phone (800) 638-3522; or visit www.elca.org/disaster and click on "South Asia Tsunami."

The ELC A International Disaster Response received more than $1.31 million in donations for tsunami disaster relief and ' recovery. One hundred percent of gifts go to help those affected by the disaster.