by Fu Shuangqi

    CHENNAI, India, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- As old sayings always indicate, good accompanies evil. For 32 families of Nemellie village in south Indian state Tamil Nadu, deadly tsunami two years ago turns out to be a chance of having new life.

    Driving 53 km southward from Chennai, state capital of Tamil Nadu, on a deserted grass land there lies a small group of concrete houses painted in dark yellow. It is Nemellie village, home to more than 150 people.

    Although each house only has two rooms, not bigger than 6 sqm each, they are the best shelters Nemellie villagers have ever had.

    In fact they never had any land or houses of their own before. They used to stay in huts on deserted land along the sea and when tsunami hit Tamil Nadu coast on Dec. 26, 2004, the huts and their belongings were swept away though no loss of lives.

    "It was a disaster. The situation of every one was very bad," said Mohana Sugumar, a housewife of Nemellie village.

    Residents of Nemellie village belong to a small tribe named Irula who for generations had lived in forests making a living by hunting. But as forest protection laws were adopted they were forced to give up traditional way of living and moved to the seaside and city slums. Many work as daily wagers in farm land or fishing villages.

    Without land of their own, Irula people have to lead a vagrant life, settling where they have works and moving when jobs change. Their need for residence had long been ignored.

    But suddenly big wave came and international organizations and government institutions followed. As relief work for tsunami victims were carried on, the situation of Irula people have gained more and more attention.

    The non-governmental organization (NGO) Actionaid International, registered in the Netherlands, approached to Nemellie villagers after the tsunami and bought them a piece of land where new houses were built.

    The new village is made up of 32 houses with a public toilet and a well. The villagers are trying to get the local government agree to build a road linking the village to the outside and provide electricity supply.

    "We have never thought of having a concrete house. It is like a dream. We don't need to worry about rain and hot weather now," Mohana said.

    "Having a house of their own does not simply mean that they have a place to sleep in peace after work. I found their whole life structure has been affected," said Sarah Williams, program officer of Actionaid International in India in charge of north Tamil Nadu.

    Their old wandering life had held them back from communicating and exchanging with other local communities, Sarah said, "These tribal people had kept traditional way of living as in the forest. Their children do not go to school, girls marry at early age and pay little attention to their health. But once they settled down, gradually they realized the problems and accepted new concepts."

    Actionaid International has worked with a local NGO named Irula Tribal Women Welfare Society (ITWWS) to carry out several projects on improving women health and child rights in Irula tribal villages.

    The 12-year-old girl Devi is benefiting from the new changes. She is one of the first few children in Nemellie village to go to school.

    Devi is studying in the sixth grade of a government school near the village after enrolling in two years ago.

    "In the beginning I used to cry because everyone called me an Irula but now they are my friends and I am very happy," she said.

    The Irula tribal people have not enjoyed the rights they should have and one of the reasons is that they are not given a chance to know what their rights are, said Krishnan, ITWWS coordinator, "We believe that education is one of the most important ways to empower and spread awareness. "

    Even women have changed to become more active after working with social workers from outside.

    Mohana has become a volunteer of ITWWS in charge of coordinating Nemellie and several nearby Irula tribal villages. For this "important" job, she saved up money hard to buy a cell phone and, despite not speaking any English, she managed to learn how to use it with the help of her children.