Between August 9 and 15, the Indian state of Kerala received nearly 14 inches of rain, approximately three times the estimated amount for the area’s regular monsoon season. Hundreds have lost their lives and thousands have been displaced.
Fr. John Pozhathuparambil, a Bellarmine University campus minister, is working with Water With Blessings, Franciscan Conventual Friars and the Indian community in Nashville to raise money to deliver water filters to flood victims in Kerala.
As of Thursday afternoon, they've raised approximately $3,500 toward their $36,000 goal.
Pozhathuparambil came to Bellarmine from Kerala in 2010. He told
The Record newspaper that his parents had to take shelter in a relief camp during the flood, which damaged everything in their home. He plans to visit Kerala next month to check on his family and deliver relief supplies.
On Wednesday, Pozhathuparambil and Water With Blessings set up a booth on campus to demonstrate how the filters work to clean contaminated water, and asked the Bellarmine community for donations.
If you would like to help support this cause, you can
click this link or text Water4Kerala to 71777. Pozhathuparambil says donations of any amount will make a difference.