It was the 52nd republic day. The morning air was filled with the spirit of patriotism. But mother earth had something else in store for her children. And the state of Gujarat fell apart. Taking a toll of a number of lives. Stealing ground from beneath thousands of unfortunate feet, leaving them roofless. This quake was much more disastrous and had a larger impact as compared to that of Killari Maharashtra that took place in 1993.

The Bhuj earthquake has reduced a number of children to the status of orphans. The catastrophe left all the nation mourning. After the initial state of numbness, the whole nation was stirred into action. Help in all forms flooded from every corner. Government and N.G.O.s were prompt to carry out the rescue and relief work. It is still going on. How long would it take for the complete rehabilitation? Months? Years ?... Who knows ! Reconstruction of broken houses is in full swing. But what about the broken fates of so many children? Nothing else, but education alone has the power to put them together again. Let us empower children with it by building schools. The Bhuj earthquake has reduced a number of children to the status of orphans. The catastrophe left all the nation mourning. After the initial state of numbness, the whole nation was stirred into action. Help in all forms flooded from every corner. Government and N.G.O.s were prompt to carry out the rescue and relief work. It's still going on. The complete rehabilitation will take at least 3 to 5 years. Reconstruction of broken houses is in full swing. But what about the broken fates of thousands of children? Nothing else, but education alone has the power to join them. Let's empower children with it by building schools.

On the very evening of 26th Jan. 2001, BJS started closely watching the Gujarat situation and batches of volunteers were sent from all over Maharashtra to the earthquake affected areas and were instructed to carry out relief work at Bhachau and the surrounding areas. The students of WERC, an institution for rehabilitation of children from earthquake affected areas of Killari run by BJS, immediately responded to the call of their brothers and sisters from Gujarat, because they knew what such a disaster means ! BJS volunteers along with these students, are tirelessly working at Bhachau and Samkhiyali, providing food, shelter, paramedical help and above all, the much needed emotional support ! We understood this need and translated our feelings into actions. To assure the quake - affected people. To give them back their confidence. We made them speak. Told them that there was still hope. Lots of it. And their eyes dazzled. They were quick to respond. The fragmented minds were ready to reconstruct.

Hope.... Schools... Future!