Three years ago, our dear friend, Robert Brian Wood, left Montana to teach theater to students in India.  He sold most of his possessions before he left and has slowly built a life in Kodaikanal, India.     He has invested his personal funds into creating  supplies for theater games, buying scripts, and gathering books about being a more impactful teacher as well as creating a home there for himself.  He has become a beloved teacher to many kids who have grown and thrived under his wing - just like so many of our kids did here in Montana and the US. 

Cyclone Gaja passed through Kodaikanal 3 days ago.  A cyclone! And it dumped trees and rain on the school and destroyed his house.  This displaced several families as well as ruining Robert's house and much of his possessions including his clothing, his books, his teaching tools and his laptop.  

Please help me get Robert back on his feet with your financial support as well as your well wishes for our dear friend, teacher, mentor, and creative inspiration.


All funds will be sent to him ASAP.  

Thank you for caring and supporting Robert.

Liz

Here is the story from Robert's own facebook page:
One night, I admired a red flower that was blooming on the inside of my porch.

The next day, Cyclone GAJA, blew 10 trees into my front yard - destroying this flower, smashing my porch, the outer wall of my house, my skylights and my garden into pieces.

Yes. I am safe. My kitties are safe. No one was harmed at my school, although at least 6 families were displaced.

I can’t tell how much was damaged, because we packed in the dark and sometimes while it was raining.

I had hung clothes in the window of the second bedroom to dry. By the time I started removing things to safety, the walls were already crying with muddy water. My white silk kurta pajama pants are stained with deep brown streaks.

A bookcase in the living room was filled with old books, pictures and memories of family and home. When my friends packed them, they were dripping wet.

Another bookcase in the second bedroom had theatre scripts and books for teaching. It had leather juggling balls and materials for activities.
Much of it is no longer useable.

I don’t know how much was destroyed.

I’m not sad. I’m not angry. I’m in shock and will need time. I’m grieving. I will give myself permission to feel whatever I feel.

I’m not grieving over my belongings. They can all be replaced.

I am however, grieving over the loss of a home. 
A house is a facility where people eat and sleep.

A home is something that we create...
A home is an escape!
A home is a place that renews and inspires us!
A home is full of memories from family and friends.
A home is where we share our truest selves, and where we invite people to be intimate with us.
A home is where we feel grounded, gives a sense of belonging.

That’s what I lost over the weekend. 
My home...
And my sense of belonging...