On December 26, 2004, a terrible tsunami struck the southeastern coast of India killing more than 10,000 people (besides Andaman and Nicobar Islands) and directly affecting more than 300,000 people, especially in coastal Tamil Nadu. People lost their livelihoods, their homes, their possessions, and their confidence. HOPE foundation arrived in coastal Tamil Nadu with relief on 27th December 2004. Immediate relief to the victims was provided. HOPE foundation workers were able to help the affected populace through medical camps dispensing medicines and treating bruises. Food packets and sleeping mats, bed sheets, rice and other essential items were distributed to the victims. Counselors met with victims to discuss their fears and concerns following the tsunami, to restore their confidence and security.
Although, a huge amount of relief poured into the area, which has helped people in the short term but many took their small relief payments and squandered them. Laziness and despair are the real issues in these coastal communities. As the media left, many NGOs started to leave. The crying need of the area was ‘rehabilitation’. HOPE foundation had the dream and vision to provide adequate rehabilitation of the affected tsunami victims in Pudupattinam village and a partnership was forged with the HR group (Wilhelm Hamm) of Germany to fulfill it. The aim was to provide a bundle of community development programmes for the villages of Pudupattinam and Oyyalikuppam in Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu.
The partnership envisaged the construction of the Wilhelm Hamm Centre of HOPE (WHCOH). The Centre is to be an integrated complex comprising a permanent school, community hall, health clinic and vocational training block. The centre is to provide holistic service to the development of children from the age of three till they are shaped up to be a self relying, confident, contributing citizens. The centre is also to provide the children with quality education and medical support – including vaccination etc, till they reach sixth standard. On completing this, they will get after school tuition while training in government schools, and later be trained in skills for jobs, like learning about computers in the Centre. Upon qualifying, they can either avail Micro Credit facilities, again from the Centre to set up business or take a job through our placement services.
The HR Group's Center of HOPE in Pudupattinam is the dream and passion of their Indian Country Manager Sushil Talwar, and CEO Matthias Handle. HOPE foundation CFO Gimms Andrews and Chief Program Officer Dr. Ashok Prabath have done a great job rolling out the program. Exec. Director Mark Templer has noted, 'From the time of the tsunami this wonderful German company has adopted these fishing villages. Their employees and management have sacrificed a lot to make this possible. I've enjoyed some of the most inspiring times of my life working on this program with the villagers, the HOPE team, and HR Group.
On 27th Jan 2006 Mr.Sushil Talwar country manager of Wilhelm Hamm group, laid the foundation stone of Wilhelm Hamm Centre Of HOPE in Pudupattinam fishermen colony in the presence of senior HOPE foundation executives and local community leaders.
At present, a Primary and Nursery School, a Primary Health Clinic and a Sewing Training Center has been established at the Centre.
