Very heavy rains pounded our South India project area with severe flooding and more than 100 people died. The bridge we use to get to the project from the airport lost 200 feet in the middle, washed away by river water above the bridge. The railway lines were broken and partially underwater. Many water and sewer pipes were broken so fresh water in the villages stopped for all those families. Thousands were displaced from flooded homes; lots of homes were just washed away and the families lost all their possessions. Our director still can’t get to three of our village tuition centers as the roads are washed out and the villages are flooded.
One particularly sad event was the drowning of the father of one of our students. He was trapped in his car with others as the waters rose. After waiting there and getting hypothermic, they all left the car braving the water to find a way to higher ground. Unfortunately, he walked into a deep water area and drowned as he didn’t know how to swim. We have already sent three months support to the widow and her two children; the roads in that direction cleared a few days ago. Our Foundation will provide a monthly income to the family going forward. I’m sure there will be other families we know personally that could not yet contact us. Thank you all for having given us the means to respond immediately.
