Swami Vivekananda said, ‘If in this hell of a world one can bring a little joy and peace even for a day into the heart of a single person, that much alone is true; all else is mere moonshine…”

We are glad to submit a report on the third phase of our flood relief operations wherein two houses were constructed at Korovuto, Nadi (a low lying area that gets flooded frequently) for the following two families:  

RAVIN DUTT FAMILY: Mr. Dutt is married with 2 children - 2 girls aged 5 years and 13 years. Both the children are at school. The Dutt family home, including all their belongings, was completely washed away by the floods. Mr Dutt then constructed a lean-to house (approx 4’’ x 6’’) and lived there with his wife while the girls were sent away to live with family members. The family survived on donations of food, clothing etc made by members of the public after the floods.

SHIU NADAN FAMILY: Mr Shiu Nadan is married with 3 children, 2 girls aged 13 and 14 years and a 4 year old boy. This family lived in a lean-to 2 bedroom house .One bedroom was being used as the family’s kitchen. The Nadan family lost all their belongings in the floods and were left with only their house. This family also survived on donations made by the public.

We come into contact with them when some devotees went out distributing relief supplies in this stricken area. Upon learning of the plight of these two families, arrangements were made to pay all the children’s school expenses i.e. fees, books etc. Both the families were living in very unhygienic and inhabitable conditions and requested for housing assistance. Upon consideration of the request and the number of people involved, it was decided to embark on the housing project to a house for each family.

The project has now been completed and beneficiaries have moved into the premises.

The Dutt and Nadan family are very grateful to all the generous donors, devotees of the Ramakrishna Mission and other members of the public who have come forward in their hour of distress.

The expenses from the Relief fund have been as follows:

Phase 1 -  Food distribution:             $   7,711.27

Phase 2 - Educational assistance:           $ 18,117.38

Phase 3 – Construction of 2 houses:       $ 10,781.55

                                                  TOTAL      $ 36,610.20

Currently we have a balance of $6,560.36 (as of 16th June 2009) in the relief fund and are continuing with the distribution of food ration from the ashrama to about 34 families. This balance is kept so that funds are readily available for any future relief operations.

We once again thank our generous donors and enthusiastic volunteers for their assistance. May the Divine Mother bless them.