From fishing to freight after tsunami

Brothers, Asokan, 22 and Praveen, 20 used to be coolies (labourers) on a fishing boat. Now they own their own boat provided by Caritas India and make more money. [Noel Gavin]

CAFOD is improving the lives of people living in south east India after the tsunami, by making sure they have more options, better pay and more pride in themselves

Before the tsunami twenty-five-year-old Sagayam and his three brothers worked as poorly paid labourers on boats or “coolies”, barely earning enough to support their family between them.

Now the brothers own their own boat provided by CAFOD’s partner, Caritas India.

“I used to depend on others for everything” said Sagayam, reaching into his boat with both hands to pull out a full crate of fish.

“I couldn’t move without informing the boat owner where I was going or what I was doing. Now I have the freedom to do what I want. This craft has given me hope and pride in myself”.

Sagayam and his brothers now earn between 1,500 and 2,500 rupees a week (£28) compared to a mere 400 rupees as coolies.

CAFOD’s partners have restored thousands of livelihoods to people who lost everything in the tsunami by replacing equipment, as well as giving loans to shop and market stall owners to enable them to restart their businesses.

In Sri Lanka more than 1,000 fishing, trades and crafts people have been provided with replacement tools such as boats, carpentry and building equipment.

Ensuring economies prosper

But as well as restoring assets, CAFOD partners have provided training in alternative skills to ensure that economies and communities continue to grow and prosper and are not dependent on a single industry.

In Tuticorin, south east India, CAFOD has supported a training programme for more than 870 young people including crane and JCB operation, plumbing, boat repair, shipping management and secretarial skills.

Former fisherman, Jamil has been trained how to operate a JCB with the help of Caritas India, Tuticorin, south east India. [Noel Gavin]

Former fisherman, Jamil from south east India, has turned his hand to construction work after the tsunami by learning to operate a JCB.

Jamil, 25, has recently completed his twelve week training course, and is one of 150 trainees who have got a job with a local construction or freight handling company.

“Within two weeks I got a job in a local company in Tuticorin” he said, grinning. “With the extra money I can support my family. And my self confidence has increased now that I earn more.”

Jamil now earns a minimum of 2,500 rupees (£28) a month, compared to 1,000 rupees (£11) he used to earn as a fisherman.

“Youngsters have been motivated to come out of the traditional fishing life because the yield is decreasing” said Jamil. “We are looking for alternative options like heavy machinery”.

Not relying on fishing alone

Diocesan Director, Father Victor explained

“People cannot just rely on fishing alone. The yields are decreasing, especially in the dry season and some were finding it hard to survive. They were asking us for alternatives, and that’s when we came up with the idea of the training”.

Over the next three years, CAFOD will continue to support communities who lost their homes and livelihoods in the tsunami.

CAFOD believes that is in important to make sure people living on the margins of life are not left out of the tsunami rehabilitation process.

The money donated for the tsunami gives CAFOD an opportunity to help people like Sagayam and Jamil to have a better life.

related resources

Tsunami stories (677.00 kB)	Disasters factsheet (157.66 kB)	Disaster Risk Reduction Advisor JD (153.00 kB)
Disaster Risk Reduction Advisor app (173.50 kB)	Development and Disasters in a time of HIV (834.80 kB)	Tsunami secondary school assembly (46.50 kB)