LOST AND RECOVERED

By: OB INDIA

It began to rain. Chiranjeevi Rao closed his petty shop in a hurry and went back to his house along with his family. The wind was blowing very strong. Chiranjeevi was weak and suffering from mild fever. Somehow he managed to get into his house.

Suddenly the slow rain turned into a heavy down pour and continued mercilessly for next three days. His village, Ramannavri Koththa Lanka in East Godavari is on the bank of River Godavari. This village is home for around 300 families. Most of these folks lived in thatched houses and survived by farming and cultivation.

Fearing the worst, in that heavy rain, Chiranjeevi managed to move to his relative's house along with his family for safety. The water entered his village and destroyed all the houses including Chiranjeevi's house and his food grains.

Even his shop was not spared. The waters from the swollen river entered into his shop and destroyed everything. Chiranjeevi Rao will never forget that fateful night. He did not have any land for cultivation but the only source of his income was his small shop where he had stocked many things the villagers would like to buy.

Chiranjeevi was very depressed because he had lost his only source of livelihood and his sickness was troubling him on the other side. His neighbors and relatives also had lost their belongings and they were not in a position to be of any help to him. He could not get to a doctor as accessibility in and out of the village was totally cut off.

Chiranjeevi developed chest infection and was suffering from high temperature. Operation Blessing team traveled in boats to reach people like Chiranjeevi in his locality. OBI doctors after medical check up gave medicines to Chiranjeevi for his chest infection. Also he was provided with food grains and was given a small amount - 'start-up money' to help start his business again.

Chiranjeevi was very happy to meet Operation Blessing India team. "Operation blessing provided what I needed the most at the right time. They gave me medical treatment, food materials and money to start my life all over again. My family and I are very grateful to you for your love and concern. May God bless you all," said Chiranjeevi with folded hands to the relief team from OBI.

Chiranjeevi is one of the beneficiaries OBI relief team helped during the flood relief efforts in East Godavari of Andhra Pradesh. 2440 families were provided with temporary housing, food material like rice, pulses, cooking oil and edible salt. Medical treatment was also given for people suffering from diarrhea, fungal infections, scabies and viral fever; water purification tablets were also distributed. A total of 10480 flood affected people were benefited from the services of Operation Blessing.