Tsunami Stories of Survival and Hope

About the Book

With so many images of the December 26, 2004 Tsunami, people understood the terrible tragedy. No one could fully appreciate what it meant to have several hundred thousand people whisked away by this destructive ocean wave. At one La Crosse school, North Woods International Elementary School, the curriculum revolves around an international theme, a way to connect children with other cultures in the world. This learning promotes global understanding and connections. In La Crosse, Wisconsin during the 2005-06 school year, the theme at North Woods International School was to study India. The Tsunami was an important learning opportunity even though the suffering occurred 8,000 miles away. Children reached out to each other using words and artwork. They also raised money to help Tsunami survivors who lost families and childhoods along with their hopes and dreams for the future. The Government School Home of Sirkali and the students of North Woods International School connected heart to heart through their words and artwork.

About the Author

Sondra Altomare LeGrand lives in La Crosse, Wisconsin, with her husband, Roger. She retired after 29 years teaching in Special Education. Sondra has two daughters, Julia and Erica. As Peace Corps volunteers, Sondra and Roger were married in 1970 in Musiri, a town in southern India in the state of Tamil Nadu. Over the past thirty-seven years, Sondra has maintained relationships with her friends, some of whom belong to the Salem Mid-Town Rotary Club where she worked with Mr. N. Asoka. They both were able to facilitate tsunami relief projects for the village of Sirkali, on the east coast of India as well as an orphanage for girls. Working in partnership with Rotary clubs in India and North Woods International School in La Crosse not only benefited the tsunami survivors but the students and her community in Wisconsin. All proceeds from the sale of this book will go to the Government Home/School in Sirkali, Tamil Nadu. Mr. N. Asoka will supervise an Educational Trust to be established for the girls’ education and continuing needs.