Issac and his wife, Sarah, live with their toddler and baby in a small house near our Orissa sponsor site. They are daily wage labourers, but do not have a farm of their own.
In March 2024, their area had a power cut. It was getting dark, so Isaac lit a candle and placed near the walls of his bamboo home. His wife and children were out, visiting their grandparents. Issac fell asleep waiting for them to get home.
He awoke to his house on fire. The fire spread quickly because of the bamboo walls and clothes hanging up. He escaped, but by the time his neighbours came to help, the fire had consumed the house. They survived with only the clothes they were wearing.
““The fire claimed my family’s belongings and left us empty,” says Issac. “After this incident, we had no house to live in, so we took shelter in my father-in-law’s house. We had no food; my in-laws shared their food with us. We had no clothes; they shared their old clothes with us.”
Sr. Sukhalata, the Orissa site director, knew that Isaac and Sarah had no financial means to recover their home or belongings. She requested for Chalice to support them to rebuild a house and provide urgent essentials for the family and children.
Thanks to those who supported the family through Chalice’s critical needs program, “Chalice has provided us house, food, clothes, cooking utensils dishes hygiene kits, and moral support to live a normal life,” Issac says.
“I have no words to express my sincere thanks to Chalice,” he says. “During this difficult situation, Chalice stood with us to console us and give handholding support to restore our previous life. Because of Chalice our short-term untold suffering turned into overwhelming joy. We received more than we lost.”
Issac and Sarah feel more secure now than ever.
“No more fear of losing the house during the rainy season due to heavy rain. No more fear of severe colds because now we have warm clothes and food to eat. Our dignity is restored.”