A Flash Flood, a Neighbor’s Knock, and a Second Chance
Sulochana gently cooks her dal in a gleaming new pot, the aroma filling her modest kitchen.
Tonight, her neighbors will join her for a simple meal, a quiet reminder of how life is slowly returning to normal after the devastation that struck just months ago. These are the same neighbors who saved her life the night a flash flood tore through their community. As she stirs the simmering lentils, memories of that night resurface.
In the dead of night Sulochana was jolted awake by a series of frantic knocks at her door. The urgency in Arjun's voice, her neighbor, cut through the storm's roar, "Sulochana, we must go! The river has breached its banks!"
In the dim light, she hurriedly dressed, her movements fueled by a mix of fear and necessity. Outside, People were running, clutching whatever they could save. Mothers and fathers carrying their children, and the elders leaned on the younger ones as they all rushed toward the safety of higher ground.
The community huddled together as the night wore on, sharing blankets and whispered reassurances. The dawn brought with it the harsh light of reality; the floodwaters had receded, but the damage was done. Houses lay in ruins, their contents scattered and lost.
Sulochana vividly remembers that night—the fear, the loss, and the uncertainty of how to begin again.
But she also remembers the moment help arrived.
You provided the emergency relief that helped Sulochana and her village recover. Sacks of food, clothing, kitchen utensils, temporary shelters—all of it came in her time of greatest need. You helped her community begin to rebuild their lives.
As soon as we heard of this devastation in India, we shared the urgency of the needs of those displaced by these unprecedented floods. You gave generously to bring immediate relief to villages like Sulochana's by providing food, warmth, and shelter. These essential supplies brought a lifeline when families lost everything.
Slowly, homes have been restored, children are playing once again, and a sense of hope has returned. You provided emergency relief for the devastating flooding that happened in India and it helped families like Sulochana rebuild their lives.
