SOS Children’s Villages of India has given one more reason to smile to the people who have been severely affected by the killer waves of Tsunami. At a function organized at Akkampetai in the Karaikal commune of Union Territory of Pondicherry, District Collector of Karaikal, Mr. Sudheer Kumar, IAS handed over the keys of 100 newly constructed houses to beneficiaries.

With the handing over of 100 newly constructed houses at Akkampetai, SOS Children’s Villages of India fulfilled its commitment of the reconstructing 503 houses for people affected by tsunami. Families have already started a new phase of their lives at 178 houses at C. Pudupetai and 225 houses at Murtypudukkuppam constructed by SOS-India. SOS Children’s Villages of India is constructing 3 communities building one each at C.Pudupetai, Murtypudukkuppam and Akkampetai which will be handed over to the panchayat shortly.

Tsunami horror struck the coastline of India on December 26, 2004 killing thousands of people and making many more homeless. At the hour of need, SOS India, reacted quickly in responding to the call of rebuilding lives post-tsunami with series of extensive rehabilitation programs for many affected families and children in several villages. Besides other supports, SOS Children’s Villages of India adopted Akkampetai village for total rehabilitation. Initially startup support in the form of construction of temporary shelters, distribution of provisions, utensils and money for vegetables were provided to all the families of that Village. 24 mechanized boats with 4 different types of nets to each group were given to the 24 groups comprising of 4 members of the fishermen community. A small children’s park and a day care center are set up for the children of the community.

Besides this SOS India has supported over 1000 families in the self-help groups in Tamil Nadu and Pondichery. A group of 3 to 5 families were provided with motorized boats, fishing nets and other necessary material fishing. Additional 57 single boats were provided to 57 families in Chinnavaikal and Kannaginagar, Tamil Nadu. These programs were successfully completed on its scheduled time.

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About SOS Children Village India

SOS Children’s Villages of India is a non profit, non-government, voluntary organization, committed to the care of children in need. The aim & objective of the SOS Children’s Villages of India is to help children in need by giving them a family, home and a strong foundation for an independent and secure life.

Since its inception in 1964, SOS-India has expanded its services for children in need at a rapid pace. Today, there are 39 SOS Children’s Villages including new projects under establishment and 122 allied projects like Kindergartens, Schools, Social, Medical, Vocational Training Centers and Outreach Initiatives spread across the country reaching out to thousands of children. SOS-India is a member of SOS-Kinderdorf International, operational in 132 countries. For more information please visit website www.soscvindia.org