Posted Date : 04/05/2005 CST Trincomalee, located on the eastern seaboard of Sri Lanka is famed for its beautiful beaches and one of the world’s largest natural harbors. With the tsunami came devastation and despair to the inhabitants of this beautiful city in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. The Sinhala Women's Organization (SWO), a renowned Sri Lankan Charity (established in 1985) has identified this area as one that is in need of urgent relief. Trincomalee is located 380 kilometers from the capital, Colombo. Travel to the area is costly, difficult and relief work requires experience in the area, a high degree of commitment, and established community contacts. The SWO, with its prior track record of relief activities in the area has initiated this collaborative project with I-FREED to provide urgent and long term relief to the affected families. Funds provided for the first phase of this project will be primarily used to assist the affected families rebuild their livelihoods. Specifically, assistance will be directed at the fisheries industry (repair/provision of boats and nets), vendor assistance ( for fish and vegetable vendors that go from house to house and to vendors selling green leaves such and “keera” and “pala” on a large scale) and home enterprises such as tailoring, candy making, reed baskets etc. The second phase of the project will address school requirements for children and repair and rebuilding of houses. Trained volunteer SWO members will provide support services to the affected families to overcome their shock and grief. SWO has identified families left with infants, children and the elderly as a high risk group and will target help to them. Of note are ten identified grandmothers who are charged with the care of orphaned grandchildren who continue to cry, wanting back their parents. Several elders are sick and depressed as well. Psychological support, monetary assistance and knowledge transfer provided to these individuals as well as other identified families will empower and encourage them to regain their livelihood and provide basic needs for their children. Click here to view the project proposal.
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