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| Sunday, 11 September 2005 |
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Apey Dayawa to build houses in tsunami hit areas by Don Asoka Wijewardena Siemens Ltd., Manager Juergen Schubert said that it would have been easier to simply donate money for the reconstruction of houses in tsunami-affected areas, but they chose the harder option. "Our goal is to uplift the living standards of 80 per cent of tsunami-hit people with a deep level of commitment and a holistic approach. We are positive that the implementation of concrete projects will definitely benefit the affected people, he told a media conference after signing a MoU with the Lions Club of Sri Lanka on tsunami Relief and Reconstruction project in Trincomalee by "Ape Dayawa" at the Hotel Taj Samudra. Schubert said that a few German business companies had formed a Trust by the name "Ape Dayawa" which had undertaken humanitarian work in Sri Lanka where the Trust signed an MoU with the Lions Club to provide rehabilitation and reconstruction support in tsunami-hit areas,especially the worst affected areas in the Eastern province. He said that 'Ape Dayawa', a voluntary social service organisation, was formed to continue the reconstruction process and Siemens, Thyssen Krupp and Bayer were the key donor companies for the relief initiative. President, Lions Club Sri Lanka Yasapala de Silva said that the Trust was partnering with the Lions Club to reconstruct houses, medical and social service centres and schools for families of the victims. He said that the Lions Club was grateful to the Trust which selected the Lions Club as a partner for this social initiative due to its consistent involvement in a number of social service projects initiated in Sri Lanka. De Silva also said that around 100 houses were being constructed in the Trincomalee township as this area had received relatively less aid post-tsunami. He explained that the area chosen by the Trust was a different terrain which had been ignored by several NGOs and donors to reach and it was Ape Dayawa which selected this tsunami-hit area to reconstruct houses. He said that reconstruction undertaken in the affected area included 108 houses, a medical and community centre and a school as this was part of the overall development plan undertaken by the Lions Club. Regarding the special features of the construction, De Silva said that structures were being laid in keeping with the typical local conditions and requirements and made of strong pre-fabricated materials imported from Germany. According to Yasapala de Silva, the community centre will offer programs for self development for women and children and it would also act as a platform for residents to meet and interact. The Trust will provide financial assistance to run and maintain this project for five years. |
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