Teen Years

Brothers who lost both parents in 2004 have honoured them in the most incredible way

This is such an inspiring story. 

Back in 2004, the Gandy family changed forever when a tsunami hit Sri Lanka on St. Stephen's Day killing both parents and leaving four children orphaned.

Sadly, 230,000 people lost their lives that day.  

 

#throwbackthursday us enjoying a tuk tuk journey round #goa #india with the family! #2002

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Rob and Paul were then aged 17 and 15 respectively, and survived by clinging on to a roof. 

Their younger siblings – Mattie, who was 12 at the time, and Rosie, who was eight – were saved thanks to their parents' quick-thinking.

 

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Unfortunately, both Mum and Dad were swept away. 

However, it is thanks to their parents' teachings that the boys, who had been travelling around the world with their family when tragedy struck, were able to do something positive with their loss. 

 

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So they set about trying to help other orphaned children.

They started by making flip flops called Gandys in their bedrooms; 10 percent of the money raised was donated to help children affected by the tsunami.

 

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And then through their Orphans for Orphans initiative they managed to open their first children home in Sri Lanka in 2016, with plans for more. 

They were both just teenagers when they had to deal with unimaginable loss, and are two incredibly inspirational young men. 

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