My time spent in Seenigama.

When I arrived in Sri Lanka I was unsure of what I would be asked to do or what would be needed. However, I arrived and met the Foundation staff and discussed where I could be of assistance. We spoke about a few different areas, but basically it came down to figuring it out on my own. I traveled down to the village and it took me about two weeks before I found my place. In those first two weeks, I would do the most I could without getting in the way. However, I took that time to observe also. The whole time I was asking questions and trying to decide the best possible way I could help these people.

The first project I worked on was a basic distribution of clothes and food. We filled bags of assorted clothes and food and distributed them to approximately 450 families. Getting the bags packed and given to the appropriate families was a challenge, but somehow we managed without missing a family. Soon after this we began to implement some larger projects. Two projects, the Clean-up Project and the sister project, the Canal Project were started. I was asked to help co-ordinate both projects as I was in the village everyday and could manage from the ground level. Both projects were very successful and we managed to begin the transformation of the village.

During all of this time I was still thinking about what I could bring to the community and I had my mind set on a livelihood project. I researched the area, discovering what was natural and abundant, what materials were used before, what actual livelihoods were in existence before the tsunami and what people were willing to do. What I found was a broad range of possibilities and a lot of wishful thinking. However, it took some luck and a firm decision on what we could bring into the village, which got the ball rolling.
I decided to write a proposal that would bring to industries into the village. The first is very old occupation for the women and that is coir yarn spinning, the second was something for the men and that was brush handle manufacturing using rubber timber. Both coir fibre (coconut fibre) and rubber timber are abundant in the area and after agreeing with a buyer in Colombo I started to get very excited.

I wrote the proposal for funding and thankfully we received a full grant for both projects from Mercy Corps. Soon after I began organizing the construction of the factory, building registration, purchasing of equipment and hiring of employees. It is going very well so far and I look forward to the day we begin operating.

My time thus far has been filled with wonderful experiences with wonderful people. Through, both the locals and my peer volunteers I have met some lifelong friends. The work has been rewarding beyond words.

Nick Kreider Pennsylvania, USA