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Located southeast of Colombo, Hambantota District
is considered one of the poorest districts of Sri Lanka. It is one
of the districts severely affected by the Tsunami on the morning of
December 26, 2004. In the aftermath of the Tsunami, it is estimated
that about 3,334 families were displaced, 3,067 lost their lives
while 963 remain missing. About 4,075 houses were damaged along with
13,000 business enterprises.
LIFE Project has been working
for the wellbeing of the people in Tangalle since 2006. It aims to
benefit.The project integrates five components in the livelihood and
infrastructure sector: rainwater harvesting system, kitchen and
related drainage, community driven livelihood program, participatory
hygiene and sanitation transformation, and capacity and peace
building program.
- As of October 2008, LIFE
project has built 94 rain harvesting tanks with the collaboration of
community members. The provision of regular access to about 57
liters per day of clean and free water has resulted in reduced
expenses for these Tsunami-affected families.
- With the
participation of the target beneficiaries, the project has carried
out the construction of 210 kitchens with drainage facilities.
Involvement of the beneficiaries is a key element for ensuring the
success of the program and the personal gratification of
accomplishment for the participants.
- LIFE has conducted a
total of 268 health and hygiene training sessions to teach the
community members how to make the best of their water supplies and
housing facilities while keeping a health-conscious mindset. With
the proper methods and material, these trainings have stimulated the
participation of primarily women, but also some children and men.
Trained staff workers even do household visits for those who are not
able to come to the meetings. About 5576 household visits have been
conducted throughout the duration of the program.
- This
project would not be complete without empowering the community to be
able to sustain themselves and to envision a better future; for this
reason, LIFE project is conducting a series of vocational trainings
along with a program called UTOP (use to own program) that will
motivate the people to start small businesses that can lead to
development. As a result, 140 small businesses have been established
which will provide support for 200 families. These businesses are
also being supported by weekly monitoring and business advice. Women
are actively involved in increasing household income and have formed
a savings group where the habit of savings is being promoted.
- LIFE project is conducting capacity building trainings
to support leaders of the community in the areas of team building,
leadership, conflict management, report writing, decision making,
and consensus building among others. The project also works
in tsunami relocation housing schemes were families from 5-6
different villages brought out the need to conduct activities
to take in new families as well as those living around the new
housing schemes. Thus far, communities pray together during
Poya days (Sri Lankan religious festivity), participate in road
and community hall cleaning, join for pilgrimages, and celebrate
festivals.
LIFE project is making a difference within the community of
Tangalle and is committed to change its future “one life, at
a time…”
To learn more about LIFE please contact ADRA Sri Lanka at mailto:info@adrasrilanka.org
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