As an update to our previous Facebook posts, members of the Sudara team are now working on the ground in Chennai to facilitate relief work. Everyone in the sewing centers is safe, but the home of our director of India Operations was flooded. (He took all of the pictures of the flooding that you see here).
Across Chennai, the waters are steadily receding, rain is not expected over the next week, and people are slowly attempting to return to what is or may be left of their homes.
Piles of garbage have been swept up by the flood waters, sewage has entered the homes and where the flood waters have not yet receded, and there is an unbearable stench. As it is, families are trying to cope with the stress of displacement, and in some cases, with the injuries caused during the floods. A number of people suffered falls, bites, allergies, skin ailments, and electrocution. Poor hygiene and sanitation issues come as an extra challenge at this stage.
As part of our relief efforts, we want to make you aware of the Sudara Freedom Fund as an opportunity for you to join us in meeting needs both big and small of our brothers and sisters in Chennai.
Through the end of the year, all online donations (added to your purchase of Sudara goods or via the donation page) will go to the Sudara Freedom Fund and benefit the relief and development work in Chennai. All donations are tax-deductible.
On behalf of the Sudara team in the U.S. and India, we greatly appreciate your support and prayers.
Shannon Keith, founder and CEO
The Sudara Freedom Fund is the non-profit division of the b-corporation, Sudara, Inc, which advocates on behalf of and empowers women who have escaped from, or at the highest risk of, human trafficking by providing dignified employment opportunities. The Sudara Freedom Fund builds upon these efforts by investing charitable dollars to enhance and grow the impact of NGOs in India, specifically those in support of organizations that are making a positive, sustainable impact in the lives of at-risk women and children.
