Tsunami Relief - Rebuild Sri Lanka having completed projects for the re-roofing of the Pradeep and Somatilake family homes in the Hikkaduwa and Galle areas, the constructing of a work shop for the cement block business of Adjith Bandula of Kahawa and the financial support of the Child and Youth Development Center in Galle,
TR-RSL is fortunate to be supported in this project by a Mr. Peter Nossiter of England. Mr. Nossiter was instrumental in leading a team of English volunteers from Gleeson Engineering to southwest Sri Lanka last March. There they constructed over 25 temporary shelters and rebuilt a bakery in the village of Kahawa. The bakery is now a thriving business in that recovering village.
front of shelter by road
the hearth which is under the adjoining tarp
primitive privy
good shot of the shelter
view into the interior of the shelter - all 6 family members sleep on 1 bed
Rear of shelter w/ adjoining foundation of destroyed home
Progress Report of the Child and Youth Development Centre, Sri Lanka
It has been six months since the Child and Youth Development Centre, located in “Jayasena Mawatha” Boossa, was established. The centre offers a free Pre-School, Computer school, Library facilities, English programs and a Medical Clinic for the displaced children following the Tsunami disaster. This centre is the first of its kind to be set up in Sri Lanka for the “little victims” of the massive disaster. We have over 300 such children registered in our Child and Youth Development Centre.
School Development
The demand for the Pre School is high. At present we have 45 preschool students studying in our establishment but for the year 2006 we have received 108 applications from the Tsunami victims. In order to satisfy the increasing demand we are building a larger classroom which is scheduled to be completed by 2006. This classroom will accommodate 100 preschool children. The preschool is our priority and we are doing a lot of hard work to ensure the smooth running of the preschool. First group of eleven preschool students are finishing their preschool education at the end year 2005 and joining the primary schools. We wish those children bright future.
The computer school also has a high demand. Twenty students have completed a computer course in Microsoft office and they will be awarded a certificates by the PIN Foundation for their achievements
As of November, 2005, TR-RSL has completed three Tsunami recovery projects, provided aid to the ongoing need of the Child and Youth Development Center (PINF) in Galle, and is still hoping to provide funding for two additional projects. With the immense domestic aid needs due to the Katrina disaster here in the U.S., fundraising for the Tsunami disaster has understandably been difficult. TR-RSL will keep trying and is hoping for help from the Sri Lankan expatriate community of North America.
New to the TR-RSL website is the addition of photos from the Pradeep family regarding their newly completed roof and also a series of shots from Ajith Bandula documenting the process of cement block construction in his newly completed workshop in Kahawa. Note the photo of Ajith’s young son standing in the ruins of their once beautiful family home which is adjacent to the coastal road. Hopefully, the rejuvenation of Ajith’s business will have a ripple effect of prosperity through the local area.
Also, TR-RSL is still looking for student volunteers to travel to Sri Lanka and work at the Child and Youth Development Center in Galle. TR-RSL will work with Dr. Jayasena, the founder of the CYDC, to insure a rewarding experience for all those interested in this worthwhile project. Any and all interested should respond to this website.
Again, many thanks to all the generous donors to TR-RSL.
Tsunami Relief – Rebuild Sri Lanka, through the generosity of all those who contributed to this non-profit foundation, has so far managed to raise enough revenue to:
1)Help the Pradeep family of Kahawa, Sri Lanka complete the roof of a home which will be their new post-tsunami abode.Janaka and Lalitha Pradeep’s home in Kahawa, a beach community in southwest Sri Lanka, was completely destroyed by the tsunami waves of December 26th, 2004.TR-RSL wish the Pradeep family good luck under their new roof.(Financial was wired on 8/1/05)
2)Help Ajith Bandula and family get their cement block business back in operation.Mr. Bandula, whose home and business in Kahawa was almost totally destroyed, built a workshop to house cement making machines and workers with the aid that TR-RSL provided.With the rebuilding of southwest Sri Lanka, the Bandula’s cement blocks will be a vital commodity.We wish them luck.(Aid wired on 8/1/05)
3)Provide two separate blocks of financial aid to the Child and Youth Development Centre in Galle, southwest Sri Lanka.Dr. Asoka Jayasena, a dynamic philanthropist and community activist, formed the People in Need Foundation (PINF) after the tsunami tragedy and donated his boyhood home to serve as a new school and youth development center.His school also serves as a local health clinic and day care center and provides much needed and vital support to the local community, whose school was destroyed in the tsunami disaster.The center serves upwards of 300+ children, many of them orphaned by the tsunami.We wish Dr. Jayasena the best of luck and hope to help PINF again in the future.(Aid wired on 8/1/05 and 9/28/05)
4)Help Mr. R.C. Somatilake, a teacher in Hikkaduwa, southwest Sri Lanka, construct a new roof on his twice damaged home.With aid from TR-RSL, the Somatilake family is well on it’s way to recovery from the tragic events of December 26th, 2004.We wish the Somatilake family all the best.(Aid wired on 9/23/05)
Future projects of TR-RSL are:
1)Helping Mr. Janath Kumara, a fisherman from Thirinagama, to replace the roof on his tsunami damaged home.With the damage to the local economy, Mr Kumara cannot make a living as a fisherman and now works as laborer.We hope to provide aid in their near future for the Kumara family.
2)The renovation of the Somasiri Elders Home is Hikkaduwa.The object here is to help Sri Lankan senior citizens who lost their support system when their homes were destroyed by the tsunami (and in some cases, their adult children were killed, leaving them without any means of support).Adding additional bedrooms to the existing home in Hikkaduwa is a major project which will cost approximately $10,000 U.S. dollars.
Providing aid to a Mr. R. C. Somatilake of Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka.Hikkaduwa is along the southewest coast of Sri Lanka and was one of the towns in that area which was damaged by the Tsunami of last December.Mr. Somatilake, a teacher nearing retirement, appealed to TR-RSL for financial assistance to construct a roof over his twice damaged home.(Please see Mr. Somatilake’s two letters of appeal to TR-RSL on our home page)TR-RSL is happy to announce the wiring of funds to Mr. Somatilake on 9/23/05 enabling him to complete the majority of his project.We wish Mr. Somatilake and his family all the best in their reconstructed home.
Thank you. Your money has been remitted to PIN Foundation account on 29/09/05 I really appreciate your assistance to PIN Foundation.
I wish to explore the possibility of youngsters from US doing volunteer work with PIN Foundation. We are very much happy to offer children from TR-RSL foundation some voluntary work at The Child and Youth Development Centre in Galle Sri Lanka. Teaching at Pre-school, Teaching English,Teaching computer lessons, Art and Culture activities with children, Secretarial work, gardening,Painting are some available with us.
The above project will strengthens our ties. Few British volunteers are working with us. If you wish the idea. We wish to invite you to Sri Lanka and Child and Youth centre in Boossa to see the hard work we have done for the poor tsunami children. ,PIN Foundation is ready to help TR-RSL .
Let me know your views. Looking forward to hear from you.
First of all I would like to extend my gratitude and thanks in helping me to reconstruct my house after Tsunami tidal waves. You can get to know more details from Mr Asoka Pathman from Hikkaduwa.
Herewith I am sending a photograph of my damaged house which is under repair. And also I am sending the estimate of the expansion.
I greatly appreciate the kind favour done by you at this hour of need.
Thank You, Yours sincerely R. C. Somatilake
Estimate for Reconstruction House belongs to Mr. R.C. Somatilake 362 Colombo Rd Dadalle, Galle. Sri Lanka
Item. 1. 1/8’ 12mm Iron Rod 15x215 rs. - 3225.00 2. ¼ 6mm ½ cust - 3250.00 3. 3/8 10mm 80x180rs. - 14400.00 4. Bindings 10kg x 90rs. - 900.00 5. Nails 2” 15kg 100rs. x 15 - 1500.00 6. Nails 3’ 5kg 100rs. x 5 - 500.00 7. Cement Bags 90 x 530rs. - 4770.00 8. Concrete Stone ¾ 4 cu x 4500rs. x 4 - 18000.00 9. Sand 4 cu x 6500rs. x 4 - 18000.00 10. Timber 650 sq. ft. 10 ft support wood 100 2 x 4 support wood 20 - 25000.00 11. Working charges with Transport - 41500.00 131045.00
11. Doors/windows/frames Front door 3 ½ x 7 ½ x 1 - 15000.00 Other doors 3 x 6 ½ x 3 - 16000.00 Windows & Frames - 12000.00 Other expenses & transpsrt chg 5000.00 48000.00 Working charges - 28000.00 - 76000.00
Mr. John Corr 221 Villa Crest Dr. State College, Pa. 16801 United States of America
Dear Sir,
You may not know who I am. I am a teacher on Hikkaduwa Sri Sumangala College in Sri Lanka. You may sometimes be able to get more information about me from your friends who live in Hikkaduwa area in Sri Lanka.
I lost my home in the tsunami disaster December 26th 2004. All my belongings including furniture, clothes, books and all other house hold items where either wholly and partially damaged, or disappeared altogether. My house was damaged previously in a road accident in 1998. (My house is situated by the side of the road.) I took loans from the bank to reconstruct my house. The same house is now destroyed by the tsunami. Now I am finding it impossible to build my house as I am already indebted.
As a teacher I get only a paltry sum. I am 59 years old and I am expected to retire from service at the end of this year. My children are students and my only source for living is my salary. My mother now 75 years old and she is paralyze patient.
I am facing these obstacles to reconstruct my house. I shall be extreamly grateful to you if you could kindly assist me to reconstruct my house.
May God Bless You Yours faithfully R.C. Somatilake
We were very sorry to see the devastation caused by hurricanes. We just can not imagine how the nature is becoming so aggressive towards mankind. I certainly understand your position and we hope and pray that the people who were affected by the disaster will be able to recover soon. I applaud your intentions and work that is being carried out.
We are very concerned about the physical and psychological welfare of the children affected by the disaster since they have experienced a similar tragedy to that of the tsunami. If there is anything that you find that we would be of assistance to, please do not hesitate to inform us. We will help you in the best way possible.
I appreciate your assistance to PIN Foundation. You can remit the money to PIN Foundation account. The demand is very high for the preschool. Right now we have 40 preschool children. But for the year 2006 we have received over 108 applications from the Tsunami victims. We are building a class room to accommodate 60 more pre school children. The building will be ready in 4 months time. Then we will have 100 placement for pre school.
R.C.Somatilake, No.362, Colombo rd, Dadalle, Galle. Sri Lanka,
2005.09.28,
To. Mr.John A Corr,
Dear sir,
I have received your great help today.thank you very much for it.Mr. Asoka Padman in hikkaduwa Sri Lanka told me immediatly about this help. so I would like to inform you that.your help in need is very great in this time of my need. Now I can reconstruct my damaged home which was damaged by tsunami last year. i know that your country also facing a kathrina & Rita's disaster but you are ready to help our poor people as you are great person. I might thank both of you, about you help in this needy time.before rainy season comes ,i will try to reconstruct my home. Mr. Asoka honestly help by doing his duty as he is very honest. I will send you about more details later. God bless you.
I Janath kumara of Thiranagama Live near to Asoka’s house.I have three children& wife. One of my uncles (75 years old) live with me.on 26 th December my house has been distoyed. I will send you the picture new house building but yet it is not finished. Most big problem is building the roof. Then slowly we can do other work.if you help me to build the roof we will be glad. thousand and thousand times I will be thanks full. As you came Asoka’s Home I think you saw my house.
Also I have to mention that house was build up to this level from lot of help from others. As a fisherment I have not enough income. All my three children goes to school. after tsunami I’m doing labour work. it is not enough to maintain the house.now it is not possible to fishing now.
Will send you Roof astimate is with this letter. As I mentioned in the above will send you the picture by post.
We all wish you all the best.doing extremely necessary help to rebuild our life is unforgettable.after big desaster I herd from Asoka you have help lot of people.every work you have done to our people to rebuild is unforgettable & we would be thankfull to you. Asoka help to the socity.he is a good neghbour.
John a Corr 221 Villa crest road State college, PA 16801 U.S.A
Dear sir
Thank you very much for the helping hand you gave to me. We are glad to say that we have complete the roof from the money you have send to us. Any way it was a great help you have done to us. I will send a picture from my complete roof. we never thought that we could build up our life after tsunami but you gave us our life back by helping us in several ways. we really glad would like to say lot of thanks to you.
Mr. Asoka gave all the money 1000$ as you told Asoka have done every thing.
Dear Sir Thank you very much for the Help you have done to us. I would like to say lot of thanks for the money you have send to me.now we are preparing block bricks with cement.we took cement from the money you have send us.I would send you a picture from the bricks that I have made with the cement.thanks a lot again & again.
Mr. Asoka gave me the money you have send 300$
He have done every thing as you told him. Thank you !
The wine tasting fundraiser organized by Tsunami Relief- Rebuild Sri Lanka and hosted by the good folks at the Bullfrog Brewery in Williamsport, Pa. on July 26th successfully raised over $700. The vendors who attended and donated wines, microbrews and coffee are listed below, whose support of this event was invaluable and greatly appreciated. Newspaper coverage of the event was by the Williamsport Sun-Gazette’s reporter David Thompson. The Sun-Gazette’s article is posted below. Many thanks also to mural artist Mike Pilato for his help setting up and conducting the fun evening. Mike took time from his busy schedule and has been a valuable friend to TR-RSL. All funds raised will go directly to ongoing TR-RSL projects. Future fundraising events are being planned in conjunction with the generous owners of the Bullfrog, the Koch family.
List of Vendors:
John Corr - Southern Wines of Pa
John Kolln – Southern Wines and Spirits of Pa – Liberty Division
On April 17th, 2005 while performing Tsunami relief work in the ravaged southwestern coastal area of Sri Lanka, I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Asoka Jayasena in Boosa, Sri Lanka. Dr. Jayasena had recently donated his boyhood home to the local community. The local school was destroyed in the Tsunami disaster. Dr. Jayasena and other volunteer philanthropists have set up a primary school, daycare center and community medical clinic in the home. Their website is www.pinfoundation.org. Upon my return to the U.S. and setting up TR-RSL, it was foremost on my mind to aid this noble project.
Now after months of fundraising efforts, TR-RSL is able to do so. All aid is possible through the generous support of all those who have donated to TR-RSL. Below is a letter to TR-RSL from Dr. Jayasena.
Thank You from the Child & Youth Development Centre
Registered Charity
July 19, 2005
Mr John Corr
"Tsunami Relief - Rebuild Sri Lanka,USA"
Dear John,
Financial assistance to PIN Foundation
I greatly appreciate the financial assistance from "Tsunami Relief - Rebuild Sri Lanka to PIN foundation. The money will be used to pay staff salaries of the Child and Youth Development Centre in Boossa.0094 11 2368952, 0094 11 2552606Mobile: 0094 777 300 258Fax: 0094 11 2368952
Wine, Beer and Coffee tasting with music and hors d'oeuvres
July 26, 2005, 6:00 to 8:00pm
Bullfrog Brewery - 229 W. Fourth St. Williamsport, Pa.
Eight different wineries and wine importers will join with the Bullfrog and other regional micro-brewers in a gala tasting of their products. Also offered will be exotic coffees.
Benefit for the relief effort in southwestern Sri Lanka devastated by the tsunami on December 26. Slide show of current relief efforts by local volunteer John Corr recently returned from Sri Lanka.
All proceeds dedicated to "Tsunami Relief - Rebuild SriLanka" - a non-profit foundation
Fundraiser at Zola Bistro on June 5th a great success!
Tsunami Relief-Rebuild Sri Lanka was able to raise $3,550 at the wine-tasting benefit at Zola Bistro on Sunday, June 5th. Many thanks to the 70+ people who took time to come out from 4:00 to 6:00p.m. for this worthwhile event. Those attending were treated to an international assortment of fine wines and sampled the exotic South Asian cuisine of Chef Paul Kendeffy. Kudos to Dave Fonash and his polished staff for perfectly executing the event. Our gratitude to Dave and Paul for their friendship and generosity.
The wines offered were quite varied from the local favorites of Mt. Nittany Winery to the global selections of Murray Ross of Schiffrin LTD, Peter Menan of Diageo, Justin Vannucchi of Capital Wines, John Kolln and John Corr of Southern Wines and Robert Denby of Fess Parker Winery. Some of the vendors travelled to the event from the Philadelphia area and all of their support is greatly appreciated.
A slide show was presented by John Corr, recently returned from volunteer tsunami recovery work in Sri Lanka. The presentation depicted the need and urgency of the ongoing rebuilding work now going on in that country. Projects in need of funding were detailed. One hundred percent of all funds raised will go directly to these projects.
Again, many thanks to all for their good spirit and generosity.
Lalitha Pradeep’s face registered depression and despair masked with a thin smile as she emerged from her ramshackle shelter. Her family had pieced together sections of scavenged metal corrugated roofing, that baked in the hot tropical sun, one meter from a busy coastal highway.Her once comfortable masonry home, complete with terra cotta roof, electricity, running water and tiled floors and kitchen, was completely gone except for the foundation.And here she came from that miserable hotbox with an offering of tea for the eclectic crew of international volunteers working in her village of Kahawa.It was my first day in Sri Lanka, and I’ll never forget that image.
After much lobbying in their behalf and a few days work, we erected a temporary wooden shelter on the foundation of her destroyed home, one of many that we would build in the coming weeks.When I left Sri Lanka two weeks later, she and her husband Janaka were radiant with smiles and wishes for a safe journey.It was worth a trip halfway around the world to see their spirits raised.That was the mission: to aid the recovery in that Tsunami crushed nation.
The road from the airport in the capital of Colombo to the southwestern coastal village of Peraliya (just south of Kahawa) grew progressively worse as we penetrated south, with the sight of that devastated village a surreal shock.Almost 3,000 people had perished there with 90% percent of the homes destroyed and 450 families rendered homeless.It was here that the “Queen of the Sea” passenger train was swept from the rails, with the loss of 1500 souls, in one of the worst train disasters in history.
And Peraliya was just one of hundreds of coastal villages, towns and cities in Sri Lanka dealt such a backhanded blow from Mother Nature.The remote east coast of the nation was hit harder and recovering even more slowly than much of the southwest.An idyllic, coastline society of wonderful people had been ravaged in mere minutes.
The homeless refugees have progressed from huddling under tarps, waiting for water and food, to living in tent camps.Quick action had averted epidemics but with monsoonseason arriving, the rush is on to build thousands of temporary shelters.Infrastructure projects are slowly progressing with the rebuilding of schools, medical clinics and essential businesses.Much promised funding is agonizingly slow and there is so much more to do.The list of projects, both large and small is endless and recovery will go on for years.
Here in central Pennsylvania we can contribute to the ongoing Tsunami recovery effort.A wine-tasting fundraiser will be generously hosted byZola Bistro on Sunday June 5th at 4:00pm.An international assortment of fine wines will be offered along with South Asian hors d’oeuvres.A power-point slide show of Tsunami recovery efforts will be presented by State College resident John Corr, recently returned from volunteer construction work in Sri Lanka.All funds raised will go to a local non-profit foundation:
Tsunami Relief-RebuildSri Lanka and be used for projects in the Peraliya area.
TRRS News
Fundraiser at Zola Bistro on June 5th a great success!