Episcopal Relief and Development is helping children at the LMS Higher Secondary School in Marthandam, India, continue their education. A fire destroyed the school's main building in August. The school, which has existed for over 175 years, serves poor children from villages near Marthandam in the Diocese of Kanyakumari.
The fire gutted and destroyed classrooms and the library. Both student and staff records were lost in the blaze. It took four hours to extinguish the fire.
"We are trying very hard to rebuild this school," said Pauline Sathiamurthy, Ph.D., the General Secretary of the Church of South India. "It is the middle of the academic year and there is no other place to conduct classes," said Dr. Sathiamurthy.
Episcopal Relief and Development's funds are creating temporary classrooms and replacing textbooks and supplies for students. On behalf of the people in the Episcopal Church, Episcopal Relief and Development is giving $10,000 in emergency assistance to the Church of South India so students can return to school.
To learn more about ERD's work worldwide and to support its programs, visit www.er-d.org or call (800) 334-7626, ext. 5129.
Episcopal Relief and Development is an effective, reliable, and vital ministry of the Episcopal Church in communities around the world. Episcopal Relief and Development provides emergency assistance in times of disaster, rebuilds devastated communities after the immediate crisis is over, and offers long-term solutions to help people sustain safer, healthier, and more productive lives.
