A step in a long way to the recovery of Kerala

Amidst the universal support for rebuilding Kerala after the devastating floods, St. Thomas Orthodox Theological Seminary (STOTS) of Malankara Orthodox Church  was also  engaged in a clean-up drive in the affected areas from 22nd  to 26th,  August, 2018. About seventy five volunteers from STOTS, including seminary students with three faculty members and Principal were involved in this relief works.  By identifying the needy families in remote places,   they distributed kits of daily needs and then cleaned the houses in the most flood affected areas of Niranam, Pandanad, Wayanad, Veeyapuram, Puthencavu and Tiruvalla. They were split into six groups which wholeheartedly rendered cleansing service irrespective of any social barriers. The knee deep dirt, slush, debris, carcasses of dead animals, floating filth and above all the unbearable stench emanating from all these could not deter their service spirit. The volunteers engaged themselves in cleaning of an SNDP Guru Mandiram at Pavukkara.  A Facebook post given by the son of the secretary of that branch of SNDP and a photo are  attached to this write up .  Special thanks to St. Baselios and St. Gregorios Orthodox Church (SBGOC) New Jersey, USA, St. George Orthodox Cathedral, Nagpur,  a few members of St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, Bhandara, St. George Orthodox Church, Jabalpur , St. Gregorios Orthodox Church , Bhusaval, Mar Gregorios Orthodox Church, Bhiwadi,  St.Gregorios Orthodox Church, Njaliakuzhy and a few well wishers for various kinds of support to this mission. May God shower His blessings upon all those who are helping to restore the affected areas, and bless Kerala to overcome this crisis with united and consistent efforts.   We pray that Kerala could have some long term planning for a healthy sustainable eco-friendly life which could resist successfully the unbridled exploitation of nature so that we could avoid such calamities in future.