ElectricAid Project of the Month
Cyclone Relief in Kanchipuram, Tamilnadu
This poor and backward village was devastated by a cyclone in February 2006, when waters 3m. high swept through the area.
ElectricAid was approached by an Indian NGO, IRDRP, for help in the recovery and rehabilitation of the life of the village. IRDRP focuses on the rural poor of Tamilnadu state, and came very well recommended to us. ElectricAid committed €6,000 to this project, as it was not just disaster relief - it had a very good agricultural development dimension as well. Your money goes a long way in the developing world. The €6,000 financed 105 house rehabilitation grants of R 1,500 each. It paid for 25 children to replace their academic materials and so continue their studies.
It provided the means for 30 farm families to rehabilitate and reclaim their land and get back into production. So this relatively small funding has directly benefited the lives and prospects of about 800 people.
One village spokesman commented: "Local government didn't do anything for us. We were without house, no roof, and slept in cold and hot sun. But no one responded to our problems. But the people of Ireland … realised our problems and responded. We will be forever grateful to ElectricAid."
We are now discussing a further agricultural development project in the village with IRDRP.
ElectricAID Ireland supports Aware
Electricaid ireland, the ESB Corporate Social Responsibility fund is providing a support grant of €18,000 to Aware, the National organisation for depression.
The ESB ElectricAID funding will go towards a Public Awareness Campaign which Aware are currently embarking upon. The aim of the Campaign is to reduce the risk of suicide by helping people recognise depression, encouragement to seek help, and reassurance that it's treatable.
Presenting the cheque to Aware, ESB Executive Director of HR and Corporate Affairs, John Campion said; "the work done by groups like Aware is invaluable in the tackling of depression and Suicide prevention. We in ESB are delighted to be able to support projects such as Aware's Public Awareness Campaign. It's a very focussed campaign that aims to increase awareness around the whole area of suicide prevention."
