2008 Woodie Awards
ROC aids tsunami victims with ties to AC administrator
Amanda Cudmore
Issue date: 2/5/05 Section: News Stories
- Page 1 of 2 next >
After the December 26th tsunami left parts of Southeast Asia devastated, massive amounts of aid have poured in from across the globe, and now the Assumption community is lending a helping hand as well. The Reach Out Center has been collecting funds to aid in the relief effort. Sister Ellen Guerin, Dean of Studies, has been in contact with the Sisters of the Good Shepherd. Sisters of the Good Shepard are a worldwide religious community with over sixty convents in Southeast Asia, including in the tsunami ravaged countries of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
The sisters, who Guerin has worked with during her time in Asia, have opened their convents and schools to those whose homes and lives have been destroyed. They live and work among the poor, and have been providing clothing, food, and shelter to the thousands displaced by the tsunami, and are in great need of supplies.
There are two main reasons why Guerin felt this was a worthwhile fund.
"First, I know it is direct," said Guerin. "There are no administrative costs. Secondly, I know they always work among the poor and those in need of any kind, regardless of race or religion."
The damage caused by the giant wave was widespread. The sisters have already begun the tedious work of rebuilding.
"They have started to build 250 homes for the families," said Guerin.
While the homes can be rebuilt, with a death count in excess of 150,000 in Asia, the emotional devastation toll will have lingering effects.
"Many of the men were fisherman, so when they got back to the villages their wives and children were gone," said Guerin.
The sisters have also begun to work to protect those children orphaned by the tsunami. Many of the sisters have traveled to Phuket, Thailand ensure "the children are not swept up by the traffickers of the sex trade, which is rampant there," said Guerin. Children in Southeast Asia can be susceptible to the sex trade because of false promises and the lure of money to poverty-stricken and underprivileged families.
The sisters, who Guerin has worked with during her time in Asia, have opened their convents and schools to those whose homes and lives have been destroyed. They live and work among the poor, and have been providing clothing, food, and shelter to the thousands displaced by the tsunami, and are in great need of supplies.
There are two main reasons why Guerin felt this was a worthwhile fund.
"First, I know it is direct," said Guerin. "There are no administrative costs. Secondly, I know they always work among the poor and those in need of any kind, regardless of race or religion."
The damage caused by the giant wave was widespread. The sisters have already begun the tedious work of rebuilding.
"They have started to build 250 homes for the families," said Guerin.
While the homes can be rebuilt, with a death count in excess of 150,000 in Asia, the emotional devastation toll will have lingering effects.
"Many of the men were fisherman, so when they got back to the villages their wives and children were gone," said Guerin.
The sisters have also begun to work to protect those children orphaned by the tsunami. Many of the sisters have traveled to Phuket, Thailand ensure "the children are not swept up by the traffickers of the sex trade, which is rampant there," said Guerin. Children in Southeast Asia can be susceptible to the sex trade because of false promises and the lure of money to poverty-stricken and underprivileged families.