As HOPE worldwide workers and volunteers we try our best to help and support people in need. The vast majority of the beneficiaries are very grateful. Occasionally we meet someone whose gratitude goes beyond the ordinary.
In June North India was devastated by floods which took hundreds if not thousands of lives (the exact number will probably never be known). Homes, whole villages, and towns were washed away. This happened at the height of the tourist season in the mountains and many vacationers from Delhi were caught in this tragedy. Read this account written by a young lady, Medha Rastogi, who was stranded in the mountains for several days only to be rescued by a HOPE foundation team.
"My Name is Medha Rastogi. Today I am going to tell you about my journey to Uttrakhand where I saw a thin line between life and death. I departed from Delhi to reach Haridwar on 7thJune . The next morning we left for Gangotri Dham. I saw high mountains; it was so beautiful. All the way I clicked various pictures of nature. We reached Gangotri Dham at night. The next day we saw the main Gangotri temple.
We had to leave for Delhi on 16th June but it was not possible for us to do so as it was raining heavily for two days. We stayed in an ashram . Many hotels were vacated due to fear of flooding. They charged a huge amount from people.
In the early morning of 19th June we started our journey to Harshil from Gangotri by walking which is 30 km from “Gangotri Dham”. We reached Harshil around 2pm and waited for a helicopter for Uttarkashi but no helicopter could reach there due to the bad and stormy weather.
On 19th June we stayed in an army camp. We also ate food there because we were out of money. In the afternoon of 22nd June we finally got the chance to travel in helicopters. By helicopter we were able to reach Chiniyali Sod at around 4pm. We did not have a single penny to reach home. Then in Chiniyali Sod, we met with the members of an NGO named “HOPE worldwide (India) and HOPE foundation”. This team helped us so much. They were assisting people who were out of money with food, medicine, shoes, etc. They provided counseling as many were traumatised. This counseling helped us to get mentally strong. We also received financial help from them. Then we departed from Chiniyali Sod to Rishikesh via bus. At the bus stop of Rishikesh, there were many volunteers from HOPE who were ready to help those who needed support. They provided medical treatment, carried people's luggage from one place to another, arranged food for us, and also helped to talk to our relatives over mobile phones. Most of the people had lost their mobiles.
On 23rd June, we finally reached Dehradun in the night. The next morning we left for Delhi via bus. This was my first trip to Uttrakhand which was full of adventures. It was an unforgettable tour for me. I am very thankful to HOPE who came like “GOD” to save the lives of many people. At last, I want to salute those people who lose their lives in the Uttrakhand tragedy.
I am studying to become a Chartered Accountant (3rd year). I saw how the HOPE volunteers were helping the needy and poor people in Uttarakhand.
So I decided to volunteer with HOPE for a few months. Now I am volunteering with HOPE worldwide (India) “Tigri School” , New Delhi. So I request that whoever reads my letter please hold the hand of the HOPE team to help the needy and poor.
Thank you so much HOPE worldwide and HOPE foundation."
Medha is now volunteering at the HOPE worldwide Tigri School in New Delhi. It is our turn to be grateful for her service to the underprivileged children of the slum of Sangam Vihar. Nothing is more rewarding in our work than to see those who have been helped in turn decide to give back.