Introduction:

When the Tsunami wrought unimaginable devastation upon numerous lives, UEMI stepped in. United Evangelical Mission (UEM) began rehabilitation of women in Kallar Village, Nagapatnam, by starting self-help groups. The aim of the self-help group was to bring about a holistic development in the lives of the traumatized women by helping them become self-sufficient. UEM trained women in various skills including tailoring.

MOVING AHEAD

• In October two new self-help groups were formed, with fifteen members each, under the aegis of Kallar Women’s association. The Association met with the officials of India Council for Children’s Welfare, which donated Rs.25 , 000 ( 568$) for an income generation program. With this amount the women of the self-help group purchased 2000 kilos of rice and sold it garnering a profit of Rs.2000 (45$)
  
• In the second batch of the Tailoring Course conducted by UEM for the women of Kallar, 23 lessons were completed and the trainees have learned to make quality shirts and pants.
  
• In the month of January Kallar Women’s Association received a loan amount of Rs. 5, 79,000 from IMPACT (Innovative Micro Finance for Poverty Alleviation and Community Transformation). Out of which Rs. I, 73,700 was offered as subsidy. Sixty women from 10 self-help group were the beneficiaries of this loan amount. The loan amount was used to purchase fishing nets and other business activities.
  
• IMPACT chose these women groups, which were formed by UEM as beneficiaries, because of their regular repayment of loan. The Women Association leader Mrs. Sumathi and the Self-help group members were overjoyed and grateful to UEM for their increasing financial prospects.
  
• Tsunami Children Development: The UEM staff in Kallar is striving hard to help the children of Tsunami in their education. They make special home visits to monitor the progress of the children.