Many NGOs and associations in the neighbourhood have extended their hands to help the victims of Gaja. Vaazhkai is one such organisation.
“Even before the cyclone made landfall, we started planning about relief distribution. With the warnings given earlier, we knew this is going to have an impact on the lives of people. Immediately, I formed a WhatsApp group and sought help from my friends and family,” says Vijay, founder of Vaazhkai.
Thanking residents, he says, “As we regularly carry out social activities in our locality, people trusted us and came forward to donate money and provisions. We were able to reach many people through social media, many unknown people approached us and gave their donation. Some arranged for vehicles, some helped with the transportation, some assisted with buying the essentials and so on.”
THE JOURNEY
“We did not do prior research on which villages had already received help and which didn’t. We bought bedsheets, provisions, mats and other items in Madurai and distributed them on the way. We covered Thiruthuraipoondi and Thanjavur areas first,” says Vijay.
“This experience made me realise that more than monetary help they needed emotional support. At one of the villages, a small boy came to us and said, “This is enough for us. There are more villages nearby who still haven’t received anything.”
This is when we came to know that many villages in the interior delta regions were neglected. So, with the help of the boy, we went to those places and distributed the materials. By the time we finished, it was midnight and the whole day we didn’t have any food. Coming to know of this, the villagers cooked and fed us.”
GENEROUS GESTURE
Then the next day, the team headed to Thiruvarur district and bought items for wholesale. “The shopkeepers did not measure anything. It was really heartening to see people like that.” He also adds that it was the locals who helped and guided them. “They directed us where to go and who all are really in need. On our way, many children stopped our vehicle and asked for help. We provided them with whatever we had,” Vijay shares.
(LEAD)ING LIGHT
An overwhelmed Vijay says that he will never forget this experience. “We must thank our driver. I will even thank him by touching his feet. He is from Madurai. The roads were rough and he didn’t get to rest properly. Without him, this journey would not have been fulfilled.”
Vijay can be reached at 98841 36764