Date:23/11/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/11/23/stories/2005112307630500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Cheshire International to support tsunami projects

Special Correspondent

Programme to make a world of difference to disabled by 2015

TOP BRASS: Sir Nigel Broomfield, Chairman, Leonard Cheshire International (centre), Tanya Baron, International Director (right), and Maureen H. Murari, joint honorary secretary, during their visit to Cheshire Home in Chennai on Tuesday. — Pho to: S. Thanthoni

CHENNAI: "We will stay with the people who need our help. The Cheshire International will extend all support to tsunami rehabilitation projects. Our first phase was rescue, and now we are entering the second phase of rebuilding and making them self-reliant," Sir Nigel Broomfield, Chairman, Leonard Cheshire International, said on Tuesday.

The Leonard Cheshire International has a network of 22 homes in India, and more than 200 all over the world, supported by local efforts and providing services to the disabled.

Sir Broomfield, accompanied by the International Director Tanya Baron, went round the Cheshire Homes at Thiruvanmiyur on East Coast Road.

He told presspersons later that the organisation would support the rehabilitation efforts. "I acknowledge the good work done by the Cheshire Homes, Chennai, ... in alleviating the sufferings of those affected by the tsunami and the process of ... community-based rehabilitation programmes undertaken to improve the livelihood."

K.R. Rajendra, Bangalore-based Regional Representative of South Asia of Leonard Cheshire International, said the organisation had embarked on massive tsunami rehabilitation programmes in Prakasam district in Andhra Pradesh, at Muttukadu and Kovalam in Chennai and in Nagapattinam district, besides three in Sri Lanka.

Pointing out the U.K. Cheshire International would extend all assistance to the Chennai centre to enlarge the programme, Sir Broomfield said an ambitious programme had been chalked out by the organisation to make a world of difference for the disabled by 2015.

Maureen Hudson Murari, Joint Honorary Secretary, outlining the various initiatives launched by the Chennai Unit, said 76 inmates were at various stages of being brought into the mainstream.

Gita Vishwanathan, Honorary Secretary, and Murali, Project Leader, explained how the organisation had extended a helping hand when the tragedy struck and gave 10 boats to fishermen of Muttukadu.