She ran for her life, and now she’s sewing it back together.
When a devastating landslide wiped out her house and all of her belongings, Shylaja felt lost. But through Tearfund, she was given renewed hope.
The rain came fast.
Water and mud rushed through Shylaja’s house, signaling the impending disaster. Grabbing her husband, son, and two daughters, she and her family fled for their lives.
With their clothes soaked and hearts pounding, they clambered on top of their neighbours terrace without any time to spare. Seconds later, they turned around to find a landslide tumbling into their house, destroying everything. Miraculously, the family of five survived, but they were left with nothing but the clothing on their bodies.
They had lost everything. Shylaja’s livelihood—her tailoring business—was swept away from in front of her. Without a sewing machine, she had no income, and without an income, she had no way for her to get back on her feet. Even the gold that she had tucked away to pay for her daughter’s wedding was destroyed. For the month following, Shylaja’s family and others from their neighbourhood lived in a relief camp. Their grief thick as mud, they trudged through those cumbersome weeks with barely enough food to survive.
After the long month, the government relocated Shylaja and her family to a rented house. This is where Tearfund’s partner, EFICOR, first met Shylaja; and it’s where Shylaja experienced hope for her family again.
EFICOR provided her with an electric sewing machine, one that was even better than what she had before! Her hands fell back into the familiar rhythm as she got back to work sewing, tailoring, and making clothes. Other organizations even chipped in to pay for her daughter’s wedding.
Tearfund helps to provide emergency relief to those affected by disasters like the India landslides, but it’s more than just food handouts. Through partners, Tearfund helps to provide sustainable help to those who need it most. For Shylaja and countless others, this means that they are given what they need to start a business and make their own income.
Shylaja expressed deep gratitude to Tearfund for helping her to rebuild her life and support her family. Your generosity allows families like Shylaja’s to recover and find hope after emergencies and disasters. Thank you!