On that fateful day, 26th December 2004, having experienced what we did, it was unimaginable to comprehend the events that followed. Now, eleven months since the Tsunami, and what has unfolded for the displaced villagers is even more difficult to believe - the reverberation of compassionate waves that poured in for many blessings to follow since the most tragic disaster we have seen in a lifetime.
The Foundation of Goodness has been able to harness all of the magnanimous gifts to alleviate the miseries of thousands of those affected by the Tsunami. Essentially, such philanthropic acts have enabled us to plan and reshape an entire region with the necessary facilities to empower the rural community and improve their opportunities in the long term. A setback has turned into a blessing, looking ahead positively.
It is not an easy task to express the feeling of going from ruins to achieve normalcy, particularly managing the expectations of a traumatized community. However, if there is one thing that stands out in this process, it is the universal kindness of every giver from all over the globe that made our efforts so powerfully binding to make things happen as expected and for the better. There are no words to describe the generosity of each donor who made such a positive difference in numerous ways. When I witness the joyful expressions now on the faces of those who had no hope for the future I can only wholeheartedly thank all of you who gave selflessly with such compassion. May you greatly prosper and may more be yours to give.
During this period of time we have addressed the vast concerns of most villagers in the region, but as is the case it goes beyond our capacity considering the status of poverty that exists in many remote areas.
It is also pertinent to make special mention of all the wonderful local and international volunteers who have worked with us and without whom such fast progress could not be made. Offering one's time and services is an extremely special form of kindness & generosity. Their participation not only enabled us to tackle day-to-day issues but put together an action plan in reaching our goal of a rural model village slowly and steadily.
| 01. |
Set up a fully equipped relief-coordinating secretariat at our former villa to address the concerns of over 500 families. |
02. |
Cleared rubble/debris and established the management of a camp for 750 people for 4 months. This included the:
- supply of food and water
- restoration of power
- provision of sanitation facilities
- provision of relief supplies
- provision of medical aid
- psycho-social support and counselling of those affected
- provision of clothing |
03. |
Thereafter, moved the displaced villagers to temporary shelter and provided all of the basic necessities, including toilets, power, and safe drinking water. |
04. |
Addressed permanent shelter for 242 families beyond 100 meters in the region. (The package includes a landscaped garden, home essential items, electricity and water) Construction of another 100 houses will commence shortly in the 100 MT zone now that the ban has been removed. |
05. |
Provided villagers with Start-Up Kits. |
06. |
Purchased land within the village to construct 160 new homes with modern amenities, mainly to relocate the 100m zone residents from our village and the adjoining villages. |
07. |
Extended a grant for 200 partly damaged houses to be repaired in the villages up to a maximum value of USD $1,250/- per home. We could be one of the very few to address this particular concern. |
08. |
Restored power for 125 houses including new electricity connections. |
09. |
Provided essential home item packages to 175 houses, replacing what they had lost. |
10. |
Rebuilt 32 new toilets and 68 partially damaged toilets. |
11. |
Distributed 12 imported containers of essential items for the welfare of children, youth and families in 8 villages. |
12. |
Created new livelihoods for 500 families (ongoing), substituting the dangerous coral mining prior to the Tsunami. |
13. |
Worked with 5 schools in 5 villages to uplift the infrastructure standards and address all concerns of children affected badly by the Tsunami, including the provision of 75 educational scholarships. |
14. |
Provided 132 families from the 100m zone with a monthly grocery pack to alleviate their continuous misery of being displaced. |
15. |
Installed a water purification unit, for demonstration. |
16. |
Recommenced the computer training facility. |
17. |
Recommenced the maternity clinic. |
18. |
Recommenced sewing classes for women. |
19. |
Established a paediatric clinic catering for 200 children/families per week. |
20. |
Created an Entertainment Program for the villagers. |
21. |
Commenced English classes for children and young adults. |
22. |
Established a Childrens' Library.. |
23. |
Opened a Handicraft Centre to display and sell crafts produced by the women of the village. |
24. |
Provided rural hospital supplies. |
25. |
Established our own Cement Block Manufacturing Plant. |
26. |
Established new Brush Block and Coir Yarn industries in the village to provide alternative means of employment. |
27. |
Built a floodlit volleyball court for the village. |
28. |
Implemented a year-long sports development and interaction project in 6 villages. |
29. |
Established Organising Committees for various responsibilities. |
30. |
Arranged an Eye Camp and the provision of spectacles. |
31. |
Continuously supporting childrens' needs, including providing nutrition, addressing essential school needs, and recreational activities. |
32. |
Built a park for the children. |
33. |
Extended 25 scholarships to Tsunami-affected university students. |
34. |
Addressing welfare needs of the villagers periodically, particularly children/women/elders. |
35. |
Assisting Pre-Schools and Sunday schools. |
36. |
Providing training in administrative skills to the youth of the Foundation. |
37. |
Progressing with regular clean up projects. |
38. |
Currently reviewing a garbage disposal system in the village. |
39. |
Currently processing infrastructure development by way of a master plan. |
40. |
Examined the Foster Village concept with foreign cities. |
41. |
Currently planning the proposed Lahiru Centre of Excellence for the village. |
42. |
Planning to develop a sports complex in the village that includes school cricket, volleyball, badminton, swimming, table tennis & a gymnasium. |
43. |
A solemn event to mark the 1st anniversary of the Tsunami is planned, including a Tsunami memorial monument as well as awarding 1,000 children with their essential school items packages for 2006. |
