for India's Bay of Bengal fishermen.
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Ave Maria #1 and #2
By BRIAN McLANE
Nipawin, Sask., Journal Staff
Fishermen from Maduvapalam in Cuddalore district, in southeastern India, off the Bay of Bengal, pose with their new boat courtesy of the generosity of donors associated with the Tsunami Fishermen Relief Fund.
The fund, started by Carrot River Roman Catholic priest Father Mauriusz Zajac (also known as "Father Walleye") following his world-record walleye catch for ice fishing on Tobin Lake in January, 2005, raised $3,000 -- enough to buy this boat that will support six families, along with some netting and a 10 hp motor.
The boat is titled "Ave Maria" in reference to the prayer -- Luke:1-46-55 (The Magnificat) -- Father Mariusz was reciting when he landed the world-record trophy walleye at 18.30 pounds on January 4.
The fund has recently raised enough money to purchase a second boat that will support another six families who lost their livelihood following the December 26, 2004 earthquake in the Indian Ocean and ensuing tsunamis that killed nearly 300,000 people in some 12 countries of southeast Asia.
The fundraising was coordinated through the efforts of the Sumanahalli Society, which was the first external group that reached Cuddalore district for the relief work. Contact for the Society was director Father George Kannanthanam. The Society has been able to provide relief to 23 villages assisted by over 30 other organizations and volunteers.
This innovative rehabilitation package worked out a novel arrangement whereby entire families will own the boats. In total, 10 groups of six families, decided by the people were given a FRP boat with 10 hp motor and 63 kilos of netting at the cost of Rs. 1.5 lakhs, totalling to 15 lakhs. Even the non-male, non-working people including widows are part of this ownership whereby they achieve a livelihood.
Most of these people never owned a boat, always working for others. This new concept of joint ownership will change the socio-economic structure of the community.
A job well done!