Clean-up begins in Frei Damião

The January 31st flood has left 800 homeless in Frei Damião alone. Even though the flooding was widespread in our entire state, Frei Damião suffered incredible damage. The homeless who have no other place to go are receiving shelter at the CADI, the local school and the government Day Care Center in Frei Damião. These people have lost almost all of the little they had and they have nothing to return to. They will pretty much start from scratch. There are approximately 60 families in the shelter. The sun is shining today and those who can salvage their homes are beginning to clean-up. There are other problems as well, such as many snakes in the neighborhood, and the danger of diseases such as leptospirosis due to the sewage that, mixed with the flood waters, ran freely throughout the neighborhood. Three children have already been taken to the hospital with leptospirosis. Even so, you can see children running around barefoot through the mud. There are many dead animals around the houses as well. Access to the neighborhood is still extremely difficult even though the flood waters have receded in many areas. Please continue praying for the people of Frei Damião.

Photos: a) Food distribution at CADI b)Lining up to receive help

c)This horse died in the flood d)Clean-up begins

a)Little boy helps mother b)Water mark on house

c)Trying to salvage home d)Wall washed away

a)Showing water mark b)Personal belongings ruined

c)A muddy mess in the house d)Lady found her dog had drowned

a)CADI community center b)Mud up to the freezer

c)Flood water/sewage d)Mud left as waters recede