Tsunami relief IDEAS prove invaluable

In-depth review of relief work in the community of Duwe Modera, Kosgoda

By Tamsyn JN Green

[email protected]

When the tsunami devastated the livelihoods of more than one million Sri Lankans in December 2004, Initiatives in Development of Entrepreneur Approaches and Strategies (IDEAS) founded a stand alone tsunami relief project. The charity, chaired by Mr Lalith Godamunne, identified the small village of Duwe Modera, Kosgoda 80km south of Colombo as particularly in need. In an area of just 1.4km 2, 50 houses were completely destroyed and a further 150 sustained severe damages.

Reluctant to divert funding into publicity, it is only today after more than three years of financial support and expert guidance, that IDEAS shares its achievements in the public eye. Since the opening of the community centre in May 2007, IDEAS now hopes to see the village become self sufficient in the coming months. Chairman, Mr Godamunne said, "What concerns me most is that this community can be self sufficient'.

By March 2005, IDEAS had received donations in excess of Rs 2 million for the sole use of tsunami relief. The tsunami attracted a huge amount of foreign aid worldwide and IDEAS received substantial contributions through personal contacts and friends particularly in Canada and the UK, but actually gained more from local donations.

Despite the charity's small size, immediate relief involved providing food for refugees in Moratuwa and Mutwal, while utensils and other provisions were distributed island wide. Once Duwe Modera had been chosen to receive long-term rehabilitation, work began straight away to re-house the 25-30% of villagers most severely affected. The 11 new houses valued at around Rs 25000 each were specially designed by architect Chandra Gunawardena to include full plastering, wiring and a toilet facility. The project also funded two bathing wells in the area as part of immediate efforts, which President of United Welfare Association of Duwe Modera, Asanka Komala recognised as one of the most significant developments for the community.

Once the housing was under way, IDEAS wanted to support something that could reach out to the whole community. Benefactors including Canadian Auto Workers Locals, South Western Ontario Canada, C2C Canada, Rotary Foundation and Rotary Club Brunswick USA funded the Rs 12 million Community and Vocational Training Centre which provides numerous services generating an income for the village. The area of land bought for the centre is geographically advantaged by being higher above sea level and further back from the coastline to provide a safer gathering point for the community if a tsunami were to reoccur.

The building includes a communications centre employing two young women as training managers. The centre gives locals access to photocopying, a small stationary shop, a telephone service and in two weeks time, the internet.

The main aim is to provide a service, while simultaneously enabling young people to become business people and take the running of their community into their own hands. As yet, the turnover is negligible, but there is a steady increase of use by locals.

Other facilities include a health clinic which will soon be used by a midwife and as a doctor's practice with a dispensary. There is also an auditorium for the dual purpose of village meetings and a hire-venue for locals. Since opening in January 2008, the pre school is under such high demand that an extension is underway to provide for a total of 25-30 children, while the IT centre has a training programme open to older students. There are 8 computers soon to be wired up to the World Wide Web and each networked with a popular graphics facility.

Students can register for weekly training in software, hardware or graphics for a six month period. Once again, reasonable fees sustain accessibility for locals and generate an income for the whole community. Due to a high dependency on the tourism industry, there were plans to provide a hotel chef and technician training centre. Although these have recently fallen through, the nearby Bentota Riverina Hotels has agreed to support 15 chefs to train vocationally.

The training managers of the communication centre have been employed for 9 months. I asked them a few questions; How has the communication centre helped the village? Before people had to go 4 km to make a phone-call or get something photocopied. Now, they can save time. The pre-school is the only one in a 5km radius and saves time for parents. People will be able to increase their knowledge of IT and soon, we will have the first internet access for the whole village.

How have you benefited from this job? We have learnt a lot about management and accounts.

Despite the huge loss and suffering caused by the tsunami, has it had any positive impacts? It has brought the community closer together. It was a time in need. It was a great strength to us that other parts of the world could provide financial support.

I also spoke to the President of United Welfare Association of Duwe Modera, Asanka Komala.

What are the most important aspects of the work done by IDEAS? The community well and our new community centre - it is exciting to move into next stage of self sufficiency.

What do you hope to achieve over the next few years? We have a business plan for the 600 families in the village - to use the auditorium as a venue for weddings and receptions hired to the public to generate an income. We can improve the facility by investing in equipment for functions too.

If a tsunami were to reoccur, how would you be better prepared? The government, NGOs and police supported education teaching safe evacuation in the event of another tsunami. New buildings along the coastline use better technology - two levels instead of single-storied and there is also signposting showing safe evacuation methods.

IDEAS is committed to inspire business minds so a further development of the tsunami relief project saw 40 families re-established with the basic equipment for their livelihoods. From cookers and basic stocks for small restaurants and shops, to setting up welding, carpentry, tea-bagging and rice processing businesses, IDEAS has assisted villagers in getting back on to their feet.

A small turtle hatchery also provides an attraction for tourists, the building of which was funded by the project. The rice mill in Duwe Modera now has a turnover of Rs 7-10 thousand enabling one man to support his family.