Tsunami project restores lives
 Norwich Salvation Army Major Ray Begley has just returned from spending three months co-ordinating a massive tsunami relief programme in Indonesia.
In Banda Ache and on the island of Nias in Indonesia, 130,000 people were killed. On Nias an earthquake hit just days after the tsunami last December, creating even greater devastation and death.
The Salvation Army worldwide raised $40 million in a few weeks following the December 26 disaster. On the first anniversary of the disaster the Salvation Army will be handing over to the community of Suak Sigading and Suak Ribe 500 homes, a fully staffed community, medical, women's and children's centre, as well as four income generation schemes.
Major Begley, who is officer in charge at the Norwich Citadel on St Giles, said: "No other agency has come anywhere near this achievement and phases two and three are ready and waiting to go.
"The tsunami programme is not about the number of homes or community centres, nor is it about the millions of dollars," he said. "It is about restoring the lives of men, women and their families.
"They will no longer live in dirty tents, but will live in nice new homes. They will no longer have to go to a water tank for water but it will be piped into their new homes. They will no longer have to cook on a fire outside; they will use their new kitchen. They will no longer have to wash in a dirty river; they will wash in their bathroom. And all of this has been done in the name of Jesus Christ."
Pictured is Major Ray Begley.
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