Hope Charities helps Keralan families directly

So, it turns out that we received a mixed up story about the family whose house is being paid for by Hope Charities. Not surprising since it traveled so far and through several languages.

The story I have now is certainly not the entire story.  Family histories are as complicated here in India as they are at home.  Marriages, divorces, alcoholism, abuse knows no bounds.  Even modern slavery enters the picture here. Hope Charities does what it can to help people directly.  There are few administration costs.

There is a grandmother (69) and 3 young women (20's). Two are her daughters and one is a daughter-in-law.

 We are building the house for one daughter, her husband and her 2 children.

Current house left, new house right.

Several people have asked whether the woman above is pregnant. Apparently, after her last pregnancy, she almost died because of some sort of serious liver condition. She is being treated at the Hope clinic and I will check with the doctor when I have a chance.

Her husband is a carpenter's assistant. I was surprised to see that he has a cell phone.  I asked  and was told that these days it is essential to have a cell phone to be able to get work.

Entrance to current house.

Inside of the current house.  Only one room.

The grandmother lives in a house next door with the daughter-in-law and her daughter.  The son left his wife and daughter.  The grandmother has taken them in.

Grandmother's kitchen.  Wood stove is for cooking.

Propane stove is only used for boiling water for tea.

5 years ago, the other daughter got an opportunity to work in Bahrain as a domestic worker.  She contracted with a woman in Kochi and was sent there.  Upon arrival, she was told that she was to be a prostitute instead. She refused but had to pay the woman in Kochi back plus pay for her own return.  From Bahrain, she called Daisy in America and asked for her help.  Daisy requested the Kochi bank information to transfer the funds to. With this information the woman who arranged for the trip was arrested and ticket was purchased for her by a man from this neighborhood living and working in Bahrain.  All within 10 days.  She now lives with her husband (who is a bus conductor)  and her daughter next door.

Grandmother and daughter in front of their well.