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Uncle Pius

Wednesday, December 27 2006 by | Send to a friend

UNCLE PIUS

It has been two years since one of the worst natural disasters in history. A huge earthquake shook the Indian Ocean on December 26, 2004. It measured an astounding 9.3 on the Richter Scale, and actually made the entire earth vibrate. The resulting tsunamis were monumental, killing people in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Kenya and Tanzania.

Pius Gabriel

Pius Gabriel grew up in Sri Lanka. After the tsunami, Pius spent many anxious days trying to account for missing family members. The news, when it came, was a mix of horror and miracles. His hometown was literally washed away. The toll: 36 family members were gone.

With the help of family and friends, Pius is now supporting 250 children orphaned by the tidal wave. He has pledged to continue his support until each child turns 18.

Pius visited his birthplace in the first six months after the tsunami, and now is going back again. His journey will take him through a raging civil war to his sister's home. He feels it is an acceptable risk - made all the more worthwhile when the youngsters smile and call him "Uncle Pius."

Dear Mr. Gordon,

The town I grew up in is being bombed…and whatever facilities were not destroyed by the tsunami are being destroyed by the (civil) war.  The Sri Lankan government has received more than $4 billion from donor countries after the tsunami; only a few rupees, if that much, have been spent in the east coast which took the brunt of the tsunami.

I am leaving this country next week to see and be with the children on the second anniversary of the tsunami, to try to comfort them by showing that somebody in the USA cares about them. It is the least I can do at this time. Thank you for considering this story.

- Pius Gabriel

• Find out more about Pius's work with the orphans of Sri Lanka
• Explore tsnami interactives, including a recreation of the path of the waves
  

FAMILY FILM MYSTERY

Pat Murray's great, great, great grandmother, Mrs. Christian, holding unknown child. 

Haven't you wondered what's on that old reel of film in the box in your attic? Pat Murray did. Pat's family doesn't believe in throwing anything away, and they literally have thousands of old photos and one reel of  super eight film. Pat took her film to Home Movie Day, an event that's held every year on the same day in over fifty cities around the world.  Pat Murray talks to Dick about her home movie discovery today on The Story.

• Solve some of your own family film mysteries