August 16, 2005 - Ten days of record monsoon rains in India have claimed over one thousand lives and have left even more without homes, food or hope. Near the Orphans Faith Home is Rayala Lanka, a poor village located on a river island which was inundated in the rains. There the families are left fearful and without clothes or blankets. Village elders report that several of the water buffalo and goats, which were recently given to them to act as a sustainable food source, have drowned. In addition, their rice crops were destroyed.
Pastor Babu of the Orphans Faith Home has been ministering in this village for the past few years, and India Partners has sent volunteer teams to the village as well as has helped to build a school and church building on the island. India Partners' direct connection to Rayala Lanka has provided for rapid needs assessment and then the capability for rapid response.
This is a great time of need for the people of Rayala Lanka. Though the waters are lowering the need continues to be great. Our partners have set up a relief camp for the flood victims in Rayala Lanka and the surrounding area. India Partners has committed to raise $5,000 in funding for the Rayala Lanka Relief Camp.