Kerala - Tsunami Appeal 

We first visited Kerala, South India, in 2000 and have returned several times with CTC groups since then.  In fact, we have taken nearly 100 satisfied customers to this exotic part of India. 

Part of our route takes us on a quiet back road along the Malabar Coast south of Cochin.  It is a beautiful ride, passing through fishing villages and past deserted white sand beaches fringed with coconut palms and the lovely turquoise blue Indian Ocean. 

Although not featured in our news in the UK, this part of the coast was quite badly affected by the Tsunami.  We arrived in February to find some villagers had lost their fishing boats and their traditional livelihood, some had lost homes and, tragically, some lives had also been lost.  When the Tsunami hit on that terrible day in December last year, a huge tidal wave hit parts of Kerala’s Malabar coast.  When the sea receded, fish which had been left to dry on the beaches had been deposited several hundred metres inland.  Villagers here depend on wells for fresh water.  These were contaminated by the drying fish and salty water.  In February, water was being delivered by tanker to the villagers – and they were having to buy it!  We immediately felt we would like to do something to help. 

Before leaving Kerala in mid-March, we asked Rajesh – our invaluable guide – to obtain a quotation for drilling a new well and installing pipework and tank.  We needed to raise nearly £2,000. 

We contacted everyone who had been on a Kerala tour with us and in a matter of weeks we had raised the money.  We were amazed by their generousity and, meanwhile, Rajesh had obtained the necessary permissions and organised the work.  By July, the villagers had their new well and free fresh water again.   

The well was officially inaugurated on August 5th.  Roger and Christine Hardman, who had been on one of our earlier tours to Kerala, were making a return trip there with friends.  Christine is Arch Deacon of Lewisham and agreed to conduct a short ceremony and Rajesh organised a party.  A great time was had by everyone.  Click the link “Kerala Well Pictures” to see more.  

Many, many thanks to everyone for their generous donations which enabled us to provide some real help to some of the Tsunami victims in Kerala.

Participants on Tour 0575 Purchase New Boat for Fishermen 

February 2006 again found us in Kerala with two CTC Tours.  We visited the new well that was funded by previous CTC groups and we had a great reception from the villagers.  There are now few signs of the devastation that was evident last year but many fishermen lost their boats and livelihood and are still suffering.

This year's group (Tour 0575) contributed sufficient funds to buy a new boat that will be worked by 4 men who lost boats in the Tsunami.  We collected the cash, purchased the boat and presented it to one of the fishermen, Sebastian Joseph, who lives in the village of Andhakaranazhi just south of Cochin on the Malabar Coast.  We named the boat "Eliamma" after Sebastian's wife.  The entire operation from conception to completion took 2 hours!  The villagers were still stunned when we left.  It is very satisfying to give a little back to the people that have given us so much hospitality and pleasure over the past five years.

Many, many thanks to those kind members of our tour group who contributed towards this very worthwhile cause and to Rajesh who helped co-ordination as our translator and Mr. Fixit. 

Below – “The Eliamma”                                                     Sebastian Joseph, Rajesh, and John