Nithila’s family doesn’t have a real home. For 12 years they have been living in a makeshift place. It floods when the rains come. When that happens, there’s no sleeping, no staying inside. The whole family just has to wait it out.
In the hot season, it still goes wrong. But the other way. The house holds the heat and makes them feel like they are getting cooked, if they stay inside. So, once again, they stay out. It’s hard living that way for 12 years.
Her husband Sinthujan was in an accident. One of his hands didn’t heal properly, it’s smaller than it should be. This means heavy work isn’t possible for him anymore.
But he finds what small jobs he can. Nithila also goes out for daily wage work when it’s there. Together, they’re doing what they can. But they have two children. And feeding four mouths leaves them with nothing.
Recently, their older daughter got an infection and had to go through an operation. She had to rest after. And she came home to the same shed that doesn’t allow them to rest for too long.
What a house means for this family is practical. Somewhere the rain doesn’t come in. Somewhere the kids can sleep through the night. Somewhere that will let them stay in to rest.
And this is the kind of house we plan on building for Nithila and her family, together with you.