Tsunami

We haven't really written much about the Tsunami, but being as though its one of the main reasons the charity exists, we thought we'd let you know what it is like now.

Nearly 3 years on there is still evidence everywhere of the destruction - most of the houses along the beach road were demolished by the waves leaving behing only rubble. 186,000 homes were destroyed in Sri Lanka. Grave stones line the shore and boats that were washed in land are still where they landed. The least damaged houses have been patched up with plastic but most people have abandoned their coastal houses and many are lucky enough to have been rehomed in houses built by aid workers in-land. 3 new estates were built here in this village by KPMG, Aviva Insurance (a big hand to the insurance industry!!) and Australian Government Victoria. The last people in the village here were re-homed in December 2007, after 3 years in temporary huts - other villages aren't as lucky as this one as they haven't had the benefit of central coordination.

Most of the aid agencies have gone home but there is still lots of help needed, especially when it comes to re-building livelihoods as people had their businesses destroyed. To add to the problem, the tourist resorts are nearly empty so people are really struggling to make a living - I guess the LTTE are the main reason why tourists aren't here - they almost suceeded in bringing this country to its knees (schools have been closed in Colombo for the last week because of the high terrorist threat) but are reported to be weak at the moment so fingers crossed there will be a resolution soon.

Back to the Tsunami.... this is the Estate built by the Victorian Government - they have built it in the style of an Australian estate (Ramsay Street in Sri Lanka, bizarre!) so it looks massively out of place in the village here. Most people have now moved into these houses, but some are still in consultation with the priests awaiting their auspicious move date!!

Everyone has a tale of loss and a horror story of returning to the damage and bodies after the waves had retreated. There are so many horrific pictures of what it was like. The founder of the charity was in the village the day it happened (8 people died in his house, 220 in this village in total) and he immediately set up a relief control centre in what remained of his home - the charity developed from there. 700 people in the village were homeless - apparently supplies weren't a problem but organising people for cooking etc. was the hardest task as lots of arguements broke out... these continued as new homes were allocated.

A train was washed off its tracks in the next village along and the 1,200 passengers were killed. The battered train is still here and this chilling memorial was opened last year to remember the victims.

Children were encouraged to express their feelings through art, the following piccies are in an exhibition near the site of the train disaster (we went to the exhibtion yesterday and it made me cry).

But 3 years later and it isn't all bad - in this village a lot of good has come from the Tsunami as they would never have had so much overseas aid if it hadn't happened - so none of the new facilities such as the Bryan Adams pool, english centres, computer centre, medical centre, womens enterprise, mental health unit etc. would been possible.

The thing we have enjoyed about being here most is the people. Some people see Westerners as walking wallets (which is understandable as they have had so many handouts in the last 3 years) but the vast majority are the friendliest and kindest people we have met. Even when they have nothing they are still so giving - sharing food and buying us drinks for us that they would never buy for themselves. And I know we've said it before but the kids are so amazing - they are super enthusiastic and love any chance to practice speaking English.

The boys queuing for their English classes!

Graham's favourite little swimmer beaming away in her English lesson...

So that's us! Only 1 week left before heading on and we'll miss it for sure - if anyone is thinking of coming out we'd hugely recommend it! (after the current volunteers go there is no one else lined up for the rest of the year so there will be plenty to do!).

Girlie, the cleaner at the centre, looking cool in G's sunnies....

Me and Girlie at her house in the Aviva village...