The Toledo-Manakudy Project
The tsunami of December 2004 killed more than 300,000 people in Asia and parts of Africa and left millions more trying to piece their broken lives back together. The world community has responded with an outpouring of aid. Amidst the devastation, it has been well documented that youth are among the worst affected, and their unique struggles continue even as the mainstream media lens turns to other events.
As a modest step toward addressing the tsunami’s devastating impact, Human Values for Transformative Action established a project linking youths in Northwest Ohio and tsunami-affected Manakudy, India. The aim was to help restore a sense of control to young survivors in Manakudy, while educating Toledo area youths about the role they could play as humble partners in this project.
Youths from various high schools wrote letters expressing their feelings and requesting Manakudy youth to suggest ways in which they could help. These letters were translated into Tamil by local volunteers and were ready to be hand delivered to the Manakudy youth.
On March 14th 2005 Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur presented the young Ambassadors with Congressional Recognitions and City Council President, Louis Escobar, read a resolution endorsing the Toledo-Manakudy Connection and applauding Toledo’s Youth Ambassadors for Human Wellbeing. Commissioner David Welch and Judge Denise Cubbon offered words of encouragement and hope.
On March 21st 2005 a small group of young people gathered on the beach at Mela Manakudy, Tamil Nadu. These young people were from a fishing village that was devastated by the December 2004 tsunami. Ranging in age from 18 to 22, they were the first generation to enter college.
After hearing about the Community HeARTbeats Toledo~Manakudy project, they were eager to read the letters written by the Toledo Youth Ambassadors. As they sat on the beach of the same ocean that had devastated their village, they each read aloud a letter and passed it around so that all could see the pictures of Toledo Ambassadors that were embedded in each letter. During the process of reading the letters, some of them shed tears and all were deeply touched by the sentiments expressed by the Toledo team.
Over the next few days, the Manakudy Ambassadors became more comfortable about expressing their feelings, their frustrations, their hopes, and their dreams. By the third day, Manakudy Ambassadors were discussing priorities that they would like to work on in partnership with their Toledo counterparts.
On the last day, Manakudy Ambassadors were reflective as they processed the week’s discussions. Each of the young people handed in carefully crafted replies to Toledo Ambassadors. These letters have been translated by a local team of tamil-speaking Ohioans. Toledo Ambassadors read the letters, identified priorities, and we are working with local groups to address the needs of the Manakudy Ambassadors.
Excerpts from letters written by Toledo Ambassadors:
I know you are in deep pain from enduring such a tragedy. I know you feel that nothing but a true miracle can fix what has happened. We both know that we can’t make that happen, but I am here to help you in any way I can. I know I may not fully understand all of your problems right now, but I will do the best I can with the best of my abilities, to communicate with you, and pray that you can put the pieces of your life back together right now….. One day we will be the leaders of the world. We are the future and we need take care of ourselves in mind and body. I wish you the very best, and you will be in my prayers. We love you very much!! - Whitney
I would like you to know that I mean this to be more than just a letter; I would like it to be the beginning of a friendship. I would like you to be able to trust me, as I will trust you so that we can help each other. Please let me know when you write back how I can help you. - Sasha
Excerpts from letters written by Manakudy Ambassadors:
I was very happy to read your letter. I am amazed at your affection for us who are so far away. Thank you for your concern. Your letters have captivated us. A new hope and energy has come to us. Your letters have given us hope that there will be light in our lives. I thank god and yourself for giving us this opportunity. May god bless us all. - A. Ragustalin
I thank you for taking an interest in our calamity and appreciate your sympathy. Even though you are also students focusing on your studies and at the same time your willingness to help us is very much appreciated. I want to thank your “Community Heartbeats” organization….. We would like to meet and speak with you. Words cannot express our gratitude. We deeply felt the sorrow of September 11th but could not express it to you. - M. Arockiasamy