(BARDSTOWN, Ky.) — Monday marked the one year anniversary of the South Asia tsunami. Among the first to offer aid were the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. (T)hey are getting ready to visit the storm-ravaged region again.(BARDSTOWN, Ky.) — Monday marked the one year anniversary of the South Asia tsunami — the worst natural disaster in world history. Among the first to offer aid were the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. Part of the order from Bardstown were stationed in India at the time. As WAVE 3’s Caton Bredar reports, they are getting ready to visit the storm-ravaged region again.
In a land where water has taken everything, hope sailed with the first boats back in the water.
“The week I was there, they launched 100 boats. Because I think it was 90 boats that were lost,” said Sister Shanini D’Souza. “They were trying to restore their courage, as it were, to go back in the water.”
Sister Shanini last visited her native country back in May. She says the devestation, particularly to children and women, was enormous. The pain was personal.
“It touches you more personally because it’s your people,” Sister Shanini said. “Any people hurt anywhere, that hits you personally.”
Sister Shanini will join 11 others from the order next month in another trip to India and the tsunami-ravaged area. For most, like Diane Curtis, it will be a first.
“I’m trying to prepare myself for the haunting images I’m going to see — for the overwhelming grief that I think will still be there,” Curtis said.
But with the grief, also progress.
“As I understand it, that there’s this tremendous happiness, and patience and grace that they’re tackling the situation with. I don’t know what I’ll find,” said Curtis.
Hopefully, the chance to bring people together.
“How can you not reach out and help, whether they’re a couple of states away, or a half a world away,” said Curits.
“It seems the whole world has reached out, and continues to reach out,” Sister Shanini said. “That’s been the success of the work of the tsunami — it’s been a world-wide effort,”
The Sisters say they have already received more than $300,000 in donations for tsunami relief and the donations are continuing to come in, even one year later.
