SEWALANKA FOUNDATION

Edition 16 / November 2007 Newsletter

INSIDE:

> Relief in the north and east > Sewalanka joins Kataragama > Reducing environmental impacts > Tsunami early warning system put to the test > Making the Island TB free > Increasing computer literacy amongst rural communities RELIEF IN THE NORTH AND EAST

Two decades of war coupled with the 2004 tsunami have seen become home to an extrememly large population of internally displaced people (IDP). According to UNHCR (The UN Refugee Agerncy) statistics over 300,000 people now find themselves effectively homeless and are being housed in a variety of temporary shelters and camps primarily in the north and east of the country.

Sewalanka has, from its inception, worked to support displaced people and provides comprehensive support to these vulnerable communities. From immediate assistance subsequent to a community’s initial displacement, to managing IDP camps and conducting resettlement and support programs helping people return to their homes and villages, Sewalanka hopes to assist IDPs with all aspects of the challenges they face.

At present, Sewalanka works with IDPs in both the east and north of the country. In the north as a result of the recent resumption of violence Sewalanka and other non-governmental organisations (NGO) are dealing with a new and growing crisis. In the east, due to a year of relative calm Sewalanka’s work with these communities has now progressed to the resettlement phase. refugee crisis

The Batticaloa office of Sewalanka, adults in the community. life as possible in such difficult manages the Sathurukondan IDP camp circumstances. and two IDP camps in Kokkuvil housing “What these people need is a sense of over 3000 people and in partnership with normalcy and stability. Their lives have Despite the difficulties faced by some the UNDP, WHO and other local and been completely disrupted, so we try to groups many communities have been international humanitarian agencies, provide them with community focal points, allowed to return to their villages and Sewalanka staff ensure that the people activities and where possible employment Sewalanka has been assisting them in have enough food, water and clothing. to restore their sense of purpose and build their resettlement, helping them in their cohesion in the community,” said Leshimi efforts to begin new lives in their old homes. Sewalanka also provides counseling and Thansingham, a Sewalanka volunteer at medical support services to care for the the Selanai camp. In Vaharai approximately 3000 people have physical and psychological needs of the returned to their homes. Sewalanka has IDPs and provides education and livelihood Although conditions in the camps have been conducting livelihood training to help training to allow them to build a secure improved, land allocated to refugees is these people build successful businesses future after their displacement. temporary and is often donated by and sustainable livelihoods. Staff at Government institutions. When this land is Sewalanka have also been working with “We try to think beyond simply meeting again required, the IDPs are often CBOs to provide small loans to individuals their day-to-day needs and work to provide transferred to alternative camps in and families looking to enhance their IDPs with the skills and confidence to build neighboring districts. IDPs in the incomes. new lives when they are finally able to leave Batticaloa camps now face the prospect of these camps,” said the manager of the being relocated to the Trincomalee district. Over recent times, the Vaharai community Kokilai camp, Mr Jude Sinathamby. has faced extraordinary difficulties and This continual displacement is the cause of much hardship. Having lived through years IDPs in the three camps managed by much hardship: “We would rather stay of war they were able to rebuild during the Sewalanka come primarily from the Muttur here, we are used to it now,” said Yasodha 2000 – 2005 ceasefire but then found their and Sampur areas which saw heavy Lathadevi a young woman at the Kokuvil lives destroyed by the tsunami. Following fighting last year. While these areas have camp who, having lost her home and the tsunami the people again rebuilt as since stabilised and some IDPs have been husband in the fighting, has spent over a best they could but in 2006 they were once allowed to return to their homes, certain year as an IDP. again displaced by renewed fighting. villages have been declared high security zones while others have not been cleared The issue of resettlement for groups whose “Again and again we must rebuild,” said of mines, making a return home for these villages have been declared high security Shar Priyalalitha a farmer’s wife currently villagers impossible. zones remains difficult but it is hoped that living in a temporary shelter in her own through dialogue between the Government, garden. Her house remains uninhabitable While conditions in the camps remain IDPs and NGOs this problem will be as a result of shelling. extremely difficult, Sewalanka has provided resolved as soon as possible. The security furniture and utensils to make life in the situation however is such that no firm date Even with all of this suffering, the people shelters as comfortable as possible. Small can be given for the communities return. have not given in to a sense of desperation schools have been constructed to meet and remain determined to rebuild their lives. both the educational and social needs of Until such time as they are able to return children while social centers with games home, Sewalanka will continue to support With funding from DanChurchAid (DCA) and televisions have been provided for these IDPs and help them live as normal a and the Norweigan Embasy, Vaharai’s 2 farmers are currently working with Sewalanka to diversify their crops, while the Relief in Mannar fisherman are receiving new boat engines and a wider range of nets with which to The resumption of violence in the north of care for these IDPs in the context of an catch different varieties of fish. CBOs have the country has also precipitated a serious extremely difficult and dangerous situation. been provided with large grants and given refugee crisis in the Mannar district. During the task of overseeing construction and the past three months over 3000 families “Sewalanka staff have been distributing infrastructure work, supervising the building have been displaced in the district, with meals and providing supplementary rations of roads and dams. These tasks provide people forced to flee their homes in three of including biscuits, milk and dhal to those them with responsibility and experience in the district’s five divisions. sheltering in camps,” Ms Royce said. conducting large scale projects for the improvement of their community. In the Madhu area more than 1000 families “Given the violence witnessed and trauma have been displaced by fighting and in the experienced by a number of these IDPs Further the CBOs are using the funds they Mantai division too, violence has displaced Sewalanka has also been offering receive to supply small loans to recipients approximately 1500 families. In Nanaddan counseling programs to address expressing an interest in a range of although fighting has ceased 1000 families psychological, social and mental health enterprise development projects from ice remain in camps awaiting permission to problems among those living in camps. cream making, and gathering wild honey, return to their homes. to opening communications centers and “While the situation in Mannar is extremely shops. Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are severe, Sewalanka hopes that through currently being housed in local schools and corporation between the government, When asked about their resettlement, playgrounds with the majority of shelters NGOs and the UNHCR a long-term plan members of the community said they located in more stable areas of the district might be devised for the refugees and work where overwhelmed with happiness when in the vicinity of Mannar town. can move from catering to their immediate informed they could return home but also needs to skills training and psychological said they still feared a resumption of These shelters are currently being programs in preparation for resettlement.” violence. managed by district officials with assistance from UNHCR and a number of Nevertheless given the fact that violence in However as one elderly fisherman stated: NGOs including Sewalanka. The present the north of the country continues unabated “We can’t think about that, we have to work situation is dynamic and unstable with a large number of the people currently and build now as if we are going to be here shifting frontlines and ongoing violence displaced are likely to remain unable to forever.” causing yet more displacement. return to their homes for sometime and will require a range of assistance which As far as it is able, Sewalanka will assist Sewalanka Special Projects Deputy Sewalanka Foundation will help provide. these people to build a self-reliant, Director Ms Annet Royce said that sustainable community that will endure for Sewalanka staff are doing their utmost to generations.

Below > IDPs in the Kokkovil camp in Batticaloa.

3 PADA YATRA 2007

Sewalanka participates in Kataragama pilgrimage

brother and sister; we look after our elders and the younger children.

“A significant portion of the Sewalanka participants are youngsters who have lived their entire life in a divided society. When we walk the Pada Yatra, we are one family without segregation or boundaries.

“It is very important even as a small group to live together, eat together and to share each other’s pain and each other’s happiness. The Pada Yatra allows members of the organisation to live side- by-side for five days.

“I thank all staff who participated and hope that when they go back to their With the invitation of the Okanda Kataragama met his second wife, Valli communities and their workplace, their Pada Yathra Committee, more than 230 Amma, a member of the Sri Lankan Vedda family, friends and colleagues see a little Sewalanka staff from across the island community. change in the way that they work and live. joined the July Pada Yatra pilgrimage It is my hope that this experience, which which reached Kataragama in time for the Sewalanka joined the last five days of the cuts through many social divides, has start of the Esala festival in July. pilgrimage which started in the far north of made a difference. the island at the Jaffna peninsula. Men and women representing diverse age Throughout the journey, staff members “I am also sincerely grateful to the senior groups, races and religions united at walked, talked, shared meals, chanted and staff who made the 2007 pilgrimage Okanda to walk the final 120 kilometers of prayed together. possible. They saw that everyone was fed the important event, together with pilgrims. and that issues were smoothly Sewalanka Foundation Chairman Mr solved. They did a great job and all that we From Okanda, the group proceeded Harsha Kumara Navaratne who have gained on the Pada Yatra is thanks to through Yala East National Park to the participated for the fourth year in a row said these committed individuals.” he southern holy city, Kataragama – a that the annual pilgrimage had become an concluded. destination for devotees of Hinduism, important event for the organisation ánd Buddhism and Islam. According to an old demonstrates our commitment to peaceful What the participants had to say: vetran pilgram, it was here that the god coexistence and positive social change. Kataragama, also known as Skanda, settled after a battle against the enemies of “The Pada Yatra pilgrimage is a way for our Since beginning work in the Galle office of the gods. staff members to bond, to reflect, to Sewalanka I have been thinking about the worship and to be at one with the connection between myself and the The annual pilgrimage sees devotees follow environment,” Mr Navaratne said. environment. While walking the Pada Yatra the same coastal route which it is said I felt it – the sun, the shade, the Kataragama travelled. Pilgrims stop to pray “When we are on the pilgrimage we’re a importance of trees and water – and I at holy sites along the way, including the family of 230 members. Everyone takes came to understand and appreciate how location where, according to legend, Lord care of each other; we call each other important these things are in my life.

Chatu Sandik Galle office

Throughout the five-day pilgrimage I felt something very powerful. At work I talk about targets and projects with my colleagues – we never share our feelings or get to know about each other on a personal level. On this pilgrimage I learnt about their feelings and really bonded with my coworkers.

Gammini Trincomalee office 4 I am proud to have walked the Pada Yatra with Sewalanka. The word peace is a joke for most people in this country but I realised through the pilgrimage that we can live together as a family. I am now hopeful that we can introduce this feeling of unity to our village and our families.

Namal Trincomalee office

I am from Batticaloa, this is my second walk. The first time I made a request to the Kataragama God and it happened. If my request this year is successful, I will walk next year without shoes.

Nanthu Batticaloa office

I am proud of the Sewalanka organisation and happy that people from all districts are able to participate. Higher powers are pushing us [forward] when we chant and make noise as we walk through the forest. Today I saw a Singhalese boy singing a Tamil song and this made me happy.

Ladan first people scared me saying I wouldn’t be This is the second time I have participated ADRA able to take care of all the children on the in the Pada Yatra. Last year when I walked walk, but the Sewalanka staff really did I was ill and took painkillers. This time I Thanks to the Sewalanka Foundation provide so much support. Last year when took it more seriously – I am controlling my Chairman and the Batticaloa Director for we walked five children got sick, this year mind and not taking tablets. I ask the giving the boys from the Hari Children’s only one got sick. We are getting closer to Kataragama lord to bring peace to this Home the opportunity to join the group. At god every time we do the pilgrimage. country.

Mr S Chandrakumar Staff member Teacher, Hari Children’s Home Sewalanka Batticaloa

5 ENVIRONMENT @ SEWALANKA

Reducing negative environmental impacts

Sewalanka Foundation has always fishermen to restore the mangroves that will be participating in a country-wide worked with the most neglected used to shield the coast. Training on community compost program. members of society: the poverty mangrove propagation and planting has taken place, two nurseries have been Environment as a cross-cutting stricken, the war affected and those established and now 30,000 seedlings are issue suffering as a result of natural awaiting the rainy season to be planted. disasters. Amongst other The fishermen will plant these seedlings A number of our environmental practices development activities, Sewalanka and attempt to protect the fragile trees from also extend to much larger projects. offers livelihood training, cares for the roaming cattle and other threats. Sewalanka is incorporating small solid mental wellbeing of community See pull out box opposite, for further waste management projects into several programs. With no land for landfills and few members and provides housing. information on Sewalanaka’s mangrove work. recycling centers, waste management is an extensive problem in Sri Lanka. Most rubbish is burned, releasing deadly and Over the years we have increasingly Going green at Sewalanka become aware of the environmental highly toxic dioxins into the air which have impacts of these activities and our been linked to many health problems While working to increase awareness of including cancer and immune system ability to control just how great, or environmental issues among the damage. preferably, small, that impact is. communities we work with, Sewalanka also looks internally at our own office Although it would be impossible to fully practices, to lessen our impact. In stop Sri Lankans from burning rubbish, The environment program at at our headquarters, a number of Sewalanka, managed by a team of Sewalanka is trying to lessen the initiatives and activities have recently been damaging impacts by informing the dedicated sector specialists looks at implemented. Time restrictions for air community about the availability of local the organisation’s projects across conditioner use have been set, staff have recycling centres and by providing clear the country to determine their been trained to use less printer toner and guidelines to begin community composting instructions have been provided for printing programs. environmental sustainability. The and photocopying on both sides of paper. team provides advice on how to The environment program also reviews make activities more environmentally Signs have been posted near doors of existing projects for sustainability. The every Sewalanka office to remind staff to friendly and how to minimise impacts Canadian International Development turn off all lights and unplug all appliances on the planet. Agency (CIDA) requires that all the before leaving the office. Composting projects they fund be environmentally guidelines have been developed with the friendly and sustainable. Sewalanka is A snapshot of our environment- goal that by the end of the year, every office related work currently working on a large project with

Mangrove restoration Below > A local Panama fisherman watering plants in a mangrove nursery.

A major project currently taking place on the east coast of Sri Lanka is providing assistance to tsunami-affected fishermen’s cooperatives.

Through this work with fishing communities, Sewalanka staff discovered that coastal areas protected by healthy mangroves, were damaged less by the tsunami waves, than those that were not protected by mangroves.

It was already known that mangroves were necessary for healthy fish stocks, but the tsunami proved that they also play a direct role in protecting human life.

With this discovery in mind, Sewalanka has embarked on an initiative with local

6 CIDA in the southern coastal areas of Galle and Matara, providing livelihood training and micro-financing to 4000 Diakonie Mangrove Restoration families. Sewalanka’s environment team has reviewed all potential livelihood skills Project at Panama and Thirukkovil that are part of this project and has provided advice and suggestions for When the tsunami hit in December 2004, the destruction in some areas of Sri Lanka making them more sustainable. One such was lessened due to the presence of healthy mangroves. Now people in surrounding example is coir (used in the making of areas understand the need for this natural protection, but the process for restoring ropes and other items) production, which mangroves is not straight-forward or easy. can pollute the local water supply when a community uses natural waterways to For the past year, Sewalanka has been working on mangrove restoration in Panama soak the coconut husks. Sewalanka’s and Thirukkovil as part of an initiative funded by Diakonie. The project began with environment team has suggested that community and stakeholder awareness workshops, community rural and needs producers procure specialised coir soaking assessments, and strengthening of community-based organisations (CBO) by tanks which would allow the traditional assessing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Villagers have been industry to function without damaging involved in this project from the very beginning and now have the tools necessary for precious water resources. successful implementation.

Some of Sewalanka’s programs Last February Sewalanka, along with the Mangrove Action Project (MAP), automatically lend themselves to sponsored two technical training courses. The first workshop brought together protecting the environment. The mangrove restoration practitioners from Sri Lanka and abroad for five days of community-based tourism (CBT) program, technical training on the “Ecological Mangrove Restoration” method pioneered by for example, cannot exist without workshop instructor Robin Lewis. It was held in Rekawa, near Tangalle in the incorporating principals of ecotourism, as southern district of Hambantota, which is home to a well established restored the goals of CBT are to preserve a way of mangrove stand. It is thought that Rekawa may be the only place in Sri Lanka where life, to provide additional revenue for one can see Tagal Ceriops, a mangrove species found throughout south Asia (at a communities and to protect the natural height of more than five meters). Although throughout other parts of Asia this is quite environment. common, Ceriops Tagal is generally between 3 to 5 meters in Sri Lanka.

Sewalanka has developed homestay The second workshop, held in , and Panama in , programs with villagers living in the buffer primarily involved fishermen from local fisheries societies located along the eastern zone of the Sinharaja Rainforest to prevent coast of Sri Lanka. The workshop provided hands-on training in mangrove the encroachment of tea plantations into restoration, information for developing integrated mangrove awareness and the forest by providing an additional source conservation programs, emphasised the development of sustainable livelihood of income to the community. The villagers alternatives and nontimber forest product uses of mangroves, as well as general also provide livelihood tours for visitors to environmental education. By the end of this workshop three groups of participants enable them to see kithul tapping, rubber had developed action plans for disseminating the information imparted during the making and cinnamon preparation. Some workshop to their communities. of the income generated from the CBT activities has been used to build a small Thanks to this training, Panama participants have now reached their goal for hydro-electric plant. Not only are we mangrove seedlings/sapling collection with 30,000 seedlings, including six true and protecting the last remnant of primary six associate species, at their nursery waiting the rainy season. rainforest in Sri Lanka, we are also promoting renewable energy. To continue the learning process, ten Sewalanka staff members travelled to Thailand in October for a study tour of mangrove projects there. They visited tsunami-affected The environment team is committed to mangrove restoration sites, fishing villages, a mangrove boardwalk and the Ranong ensuring the protection of the Mangrove Research Center. incredible biodiversity and natural environment of Sri Lanka. If you have In order to evaluate the success of this restoration project, IUCN (The World questions or would like additional Conservation Union) has conducted biodiversity and socio-economic baseline information, please contact Jessica surveys. They will conduct an impact assessment at the conclusion of the project. Leas, Environment Program Advisor at This information will allow Sewalanka to show the environmental, economic and [email protected]. social worth of mangrove restoration and provide this information to communities in the future, with the aim of increasing mangrove restoration throughout Sri Lanka.

7 NEWS AND EVENTS

Sewa Yoghurt soon to hit shelves

Thick creamy yoghurt is soon to roll off the income by growing cash crops. production line at a factory in Panama on Discussions were held with local women’s “Therefore SEDCO, the investment and the east coast of Sri Lanka. This however, community-based organisations (CBOs), marketing division of Sewalanka made the will not be an ordinary dairy factory but a and the women suggested that increasing decision to invest in the construction of a joint venture between SEDCO, dairy production would allow them to yoghurt and curd factory which will allow Sewalanka’s enterprise development significantly raise their income. farmers to process their milk and sell subsidiary and local women’s community higher value products. groups. The arrangement has been Subsequently, Sewalanka distributed 20 established to allow local women to market buffaloes and 30 cows among 50 women “The factory is scheduled to open by the their traditional curd and yoghurt across the attached to three local community-based end of the year and will buy milk for country. organisations. Recipients agreed to refund conversion into yoghurt which will be sold 40 per cent of the value of the animals regionally and eventually island-wide under Over the past year, Sewalanka has been within three years, increasing the the Sewa brand name. working with farming communities in sustainability of the project as these Ampara to help them recover from the payments allow Sewalanka to finance the “SEDCO will assist in the marketing of the destruction and disruption caused by the distribution of more cattle. product and hopes eventually to create tsunami. national demand for a traditional, regional Mr Deepal Chandrathilake, Regional Field product. Many farming communities were badly Director (East) said that to further enhance affected by the disaster but found sustainability, Sewalanka also provided “On completion, the factory will serve as a themselves neglected as the majority of aid recipients with veterinary training to allow working example of Sewalanka’s vision of agencies and development programs them to effectively care for their animals. fostering development by allowing concentrated on coastal fishing disadvantaged communities to participate communities. “The project has, so far, been extremely directly in the national economy, it will of successful however it was felt that the course also provide the nation with a tasty In Ampara, Sewalanka staff, with funding economic benefits of the program would be product that should soon be available in from Unitarian Universalist Service enhanced if the women could be provided stores island-wide,” he said. Comittee decided to assist women who with further opportunities for marketing and traditionally supplement their families’ value addition,” Mr Chandrathilake said.

Sexual health education for youth in Jaffna Sewalanka’s Psychosocial team, in Working with local health ministry and “A booklet on reproductive health and partnership with the World Health education officials, Sewalanka devised a related issues was published by WHO to Organisation, recently completed a program covering sexual health, simple first complement the initiative and it is hoped program promoting sexual and social aid, oral hygiene and child abuse to be that copies of the booklet which provides awareness among adolescents in the conducted in schools across the information on issues relating to puberty Jaffna Peninsula. Peninsula. Given traditional reluctance to can be distributed to every high school address issues concerning reproduction at student in the Peninsula. The program was initiated after home, teachers were seen to be the most investigations by WHO found that as a effective means of disseminating “Over a hundred schools were covered by result of more than 20 years of instability information on adolescent health. the program and I am happy to report that and conflict, the majority of adolescents in the impact of the initiative has been the area remain poorly informed on issues Sewalanka’s Psychosocial Advisor Mr T significant, given that this is the first time a relating to reproductive health. Amuthan said that staff held discussions comprehensive adolescent health with local teachers to determine which awareness program has been conducted in This ignorance combined with crowded topics would be most relevant to local the region,” he said. housing conditions, particularly in internally communities and then in partnership with displaced persons (IDP) camps, has led to local health workers conducted a series of The project is expected to remain the region reporting high rates of child workshops in schools throughout Jaffna. sustainable as the program will be put into abuse and teenage pregnancy. constant practice by teachers who will “While introducing reproductive health continue to work with young people. To help rectify the situation WHO and concepts to children, the workshops were Sewalanka plans to extend the scheme to Sewalanka decided to conduct an also intended to inform teachers how to other areas in the north and east, particular intensive program aimed at spreading effectively discuss sexual health topics with those severely affected by the war where awareness and understanding of topics students,” Mr Amuthan said. children remain poorly informed and regarding sexual health in the district. vulnerable. HEALTH REPORT HEALTH

8 Tsunami early warning system put to the test

Sewalanka’s community based disaster were established; teams in charge of early Sewalanka’s Regional Director (South) Mr risk reduction (DRR) program underwent its warning, life saving and first aid, and the Ajith Tennakoon said that Sewalanka field first real test on Tuesday, 9 September committees meet regularly to coordinate staff witnessed first hand the community when, following a major earthquake off the activities, discuss emergency procedures response to the warning and the efforts of coast of Sumatra, the (national disaster and attend training sessions conducted by the committee to organise and evacuate warning centre) issued an official tsunami Sewalanka’s DRR advisory committee. the inhabitants according to established warning. plans. Having agreed upon and formalised their The warning sparked panic in a number of disaster management plans, the “We are pleased to report that on this coastal areas but two groups of villages in committees had in the past months begun occasion the efforts by the communities Kalutara and Hambantota had been to conduct drills. On 9 September they were entirely successful,” Mr Tennakoon preparing for such an event since the were confronted with the real threat of said. inception of Sewalanka’s DRR initiative in another tsunami and months of drills and 2006. over a year of planning and preparation was “Given that there is no longer any direct put into immediate practice. Sewalanka involvement in the village As part of a pilot scheme for a broader disaster management committees, the national program, Sewalanka has helped Simple hand operated sirens distributed by villagers’ response was in fact wholly the inhabitants of Payagala and Kirinda Sewalanka with funding from USAID autonomous. The success of the response villages establish disaster management sounded to warn people of the threat. On was therefore particularly satisfying as the committees to coordinate responses to hearing the alarm people proceeded, as focus of Sewalanka is to allow future threats, particularly tsunamis. These they had done in previous drills, to communities to cope with disasters on committees were established to serve as established secure locations, both inland their own. focal points in the event of a disaster, and at a higher elevation, where they alerting people to threats, managing waited until they were told the threat had “Of course on this occasion there was, communication with the Government and passed. thankfully, no tsunami but the success of overseeing evacuation efforts. the villages’ response to the crisis The committee had made special particularly given the difficulties Working with Sewalanka’s risk reduction provisions to ensure the evacuation of experienced elsewhere, indicates both the experts, committee members devised children and the elderly. Volunteers located success of the program and the need to comprehensive plans for the management and then escorted these vulnerable groups expand it to other communities,” he of future disasters. A number of groups to secure locations. concluded. Making the Island TB free

Tuberculosis (TB) was once thought to Working with the Government and local leaflets and show films and cartoons that have been facing global eradication, non-governmental organisations, GFTAM teach community members about the however the last few years have seen a evaluated the shortcomings of current symptoms of the disease and make them resurgence of the disease. In many of the disease prevention and treatment aware of the possibility of treatment. more remote parts of Sri Lanka, TB mechanisms so that a program could be remains a serious problem. designed to effectively reach vulnerable The meetings themselves provide an communities. opportunity for health workers to diagnose The level of public awareness in rural areas patients and deliver medication. More than is such that people are often unable to The evaluation found that although the 357 of these awareness programs have so recognise the symptoms of the disease Government maintains a wide network of far been successfully conducted, reaching and many fail to understand that TB is a respiratory health clinics, officials at these more than 15,000 participants. treatable condition. centers have only limited access to the rural population. The next stage of the initiative will involve HEALTHREPORT Despite years of reasonably successful training members of CBOs to conduct the government vaccination programs a It was therefore arranged for Sewalanka TB awareness programs autonomously, considerable number of people, particularly Foundation, through its wide network of making the program more sustainable. the elderly, remain unvaccinated. community-based organisations (CBOs) to coordinate community meetings where The scale of the project and the amount of The Global Fund to fight AIDS, local health officials can conduct progress made in little more than a year Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFTAM) comprehensive TB awareness programs. raises hopes that Sri Lanka may yet be recently began a project to increase able to look forward to a TB free future. awareness of the symptoms and potential At the meetings doctors and nurses from treatments of the disease among local clinics deliver presentations, distribute vulnerable communities in Sri Lanka. 9 Vavuniya farm provides profits and security

A model farm in Thavasiklulan, Vauniya is Case study from the field making maximum use of agricultural land while at the same time training local Mr T Tamilalagan has been a field communities in the most productive director at Sewalanka for five years agricultural techniques. now. Based in Vavuniya on the Sewalanka Farm, Thamil is an The Sewalanka Farm, which occupies 25 committed staff member who played acres, demonstrates how farmers can an instrumental role in the most effectively use their land and is development of the farm program. providing the Vavuniya Sewalanka office with an additional source of income. What were you doing before you The model farm is particularly important as joined the organisation? it is profitable and secure, providing income and employment in a region increasingly My job at Sewalanka is my first serious Above > Mr T Tamilalagan. threatened by war. job. Before joining the organisation I was in

England doing a degree in environmental Describe the most memorable single In order to promote lucrative alternatives to studies. I was the only Sri Lankan and I moment of your time at Sewalanka? traditional varieties of crops, the farm is used to spend lots of time discussing the exploring different crops that can be grown country and its situation with friends. I felt I I would say the opening of the district office on land in northern Sri Lanka. It is intended should really do something for the people in Mullaithivu is particularly memorable. Due to demonstrate sustainable means of who are struggling in our country and this to several reasons Sewalanka wasn’t maximising crop yields. made me come back to Sri Lanka after the allowed to work in the area but we worked completion of my degree. Upon returning hard towards this and demonstrated Currently, the farm is raising livestock and home I applied for a position at Sewalanka commitment. When we were eventually producing dairy products and crops. and I got the job. I have not looked back. able to open the Mullaithivu office, the Vice Chairman of Sewalanka, Mr V. Revathan Through its dairy cattle the farm is What inspired you to join Sewalanka? gave a touching speech I will never forget. generating 12 litres of milk a day, while the

farm’s goats also supply milk as well as I knew little about Sewalanka before What do you enjoy most about your meat. The farm boasts an extensive poultry working here but after joining the day-to-day work with the foundation? operation selling 100 chicks and over 150 organisation and experiencing its style of broiler chickens a week as well as yielding My favourite aspect of my job is field visits work, my understanding completely eggs. and meetings with the CBOs and changed. I’m now breathing Sewalanka. community members we work with. Working here allows me to fulfill my quest The variety of crops grown on the farm is to serve the needy people in my country. What projects and plans do you look exceptionally diverse. Traditional paddy The decentralised administrative approach forward to completing/implementing in land is now also being used to grow black allows us to make most decisions at the the future? gram and ground nuts. Salad leaves, district level. The selection of staff and their snake gourd and a range of local We have three main projects in the northern willingness to work around the clock is vegetables are grown and part of the land is region that I look after, but our main aim is also inspiring. Most of all, the leadership of also being used for mushroom cultivation. It to develop a long-term program and to move our Chairman and his openness towards is hoped that the mushrooms might towards real mobilisation. We are everyone has inspired me to work hard. eventually be supplied to supermarkets in experimenting with this on our farm in

Colombo where they are in extremely high Vavuniya where we have started a livelihood Of the many projects with which you demand. program which involves local farmers have been involved, which have you making a real contribution. If this initiative is enjoyed the most/found the most successful we will go a long way. The farm is also acting to increase the rewarding? security and safety of local community How many hours a week do you spend members, by opening a shop selling farm The UNHCR project in 2003 was my first on Sewalanka related activities? produce. The retail outlet fills the need for a project and I enjoyed it a lot. We were small shop in the locality and means that working in very harsh conditions and There is no time allocation, I belong to the people do not have to risk security threats people really needed our support. It is in “Sewalanka Family” and it is my life. by traveling into town. these situations that you get full job Do you believe that your work has had satisfaction. The people had just resettled A small hostel constructed on the a positive impact on the lives of the after 14 years of displacement and they people you have been working with? premises allows Sewalanka staff and were really cooperating with us. What I visiting non-governmental staff (NGO) to live have found most rewarding and refreshing Yes there are so many success stories in on the land and observe the methods and are the childrens’ smiles. our region and we are proud of that. techniques employed on the farm.

10 Paper lights up a Knuckles village

Mr A.M. Jayaratne is from “Learning how to make natural handmade sales of their handicraft products, Puwakpitiya, a remote village in the paper has made my life comfortable. I now enhancing the community’s earnings and have a job which keeps me busy and self-reliance. Knuckles Range, a village which has power 24 hours a day,” he said. recently benefited from the Due to the successful implementation of installation of home lighting systems. As proceeds from the sale of the paper the HELP project in Puwakpitiya, The Sewalanka initiative, known as have not yet started coming in, the Sewalanka is currently expanding the the Home Employment and Lighting technology was purchased using a project to other poor, isolated villages in revolving fund that is jointly managed by the Polonnaruwa, Ampara and Batticaloa Package (HELP), was designed by community-run Solar Development districts. the Nepalese Himalayan Light Committee and Sewalanka Foundation. Foundation to offer a sustainable Once the solar power systems have been Below > Members of Puwakpitiya method of disseminating solar home paid for by the sales of the paper products, village making paper that will pay for Puwakpitiya village members will continue systems to rural communities. the installation of their home solar to make and receive the income from the lighting systems. The program aims to develop poor and remote villages economically while also enhancing their infrastructure and improving their income generating skills.

Fifty villagers have been trained to make paper from widely available natural resources including some invasive species – helping to control their spread.

The income from sales of the product is being used to pay for their solar lighting systems. Sewalanka is developing a marketing strategy for the paper products and is linking the community with local and international markets.

Mr Jayaratne is happy to report that the quality of his life has dramatically increased with the installation of solar power that lights up his home.

“I have three school age children whose studies have greatly improved with the help of solar light, which is much cleaner and brighter than a kerosene lamp. The light also means that my wife can cook in the morning before the sun comes up and by day she has some free time which she is using to earn an additional income,” Mr Jayaratne said.

“I’m now saving around Rs.650 a month which I used to spend on kerosene for night illumination. I was only earning about Rs.1500 from my work as a manual labourer, so this is a big savings.

“In addition to the power and the skills I have gained, the initiative has really bonded our village together. Through learning new skills and working as a team we have become a very close, tight knit community.

11 Ecotourism exchange

The potential for eco- or community-based scale tour company. Having identified and development we can lay the foundation tourism to provide communities with a potential destinations and suitable for a thriving ecotourism industry,” Mr valuable source of additional income as well package itineraries the men were Harshana said. as an incentive to preserve the natural instructed on the fundamentals of running environment and traditional ways of life is a successful tourism business and were To further develop our capacity to provide well documented. trained as professional tour guides. expertise and training in the field of ecotourism Mr Harshana recently attended Sewalanka Foundation has a long-standing Sewalanka’s Tourism Program the Lao Eco tourism forum in Vientiane, interest in eco tourism and together with Sri Coordinator Mr Indika Jagatha Harshana Laos. The forum provided an opportunity to Lanka Ecotourism Foundation has recently said that on completing the program two exchange ideas with those involved in begun a program training community-based of the stakeholders were given the ecotourism projects throughout South and organisations (CBOs) to enable them to opportunity to travel to India as eco South East Asia. During the forum, provide home stay accommodation to tourists to see operational community Sewalanka together with the Ecotourism tourists. Sewalanka has also been assisting tourism projects and experience Foundation arranged for regular exchange CBOs to develop specialised package ecotourism for themselves. They were visits to take place with some of those tours, which allow local people to conduct accompanied by Sewalanka involved in ecotourism projects in Sri Lanka their own local, community-based tours as representatives and were given the and Laos, visiting each other to share their an alternative to those provided by larger opportunity to interact with stakeholders experiences and ideas on a regular basis. hotels and guesthouses. in Indian community-based tourism projects. “It is hoped that greater cooperation In Arugam Bay in eastern Sri Lanka, between eco tourism projects in South and working in collaboration with the Italian “Given Sri Lanka’s vast but still largely South East Asia will serve as a basis to International Institute of Economic unrealised tourism potential we feel that develop a comprehensive regional Cooperation (ICEI), Sewalanka recently by providing training and establishing a ecotourism network,” Mr Harshana helped 13 young men establish a small viable structure for eco tourism promotion concluded. Arugam Bay tourism initiative recognised internationally Having previously announced the responsibletravel.com and are the largest Ecotourism Foundation and Italian aid has successful training of eco guides in and most comprehensive awards of their been recognised under the best destination Arugum Bay, Sewalanka is delighted to kind in the world, attracting over 1700 category. further report that the Arugam Bay eco nominations this year. tourism initiative has just been recognised Sewalanka Foundation has been asked to for an award at the World Travel Market, The awards ceremony will be held in send a representative who will travel along international tourism conference. London in November as part of the World with the president of the Arugum Bay Eco Travel Market. The Arugum Bay eco guides to London and represent Sri Lanka The Responsible Tourism Awards are guides project which was conducted in at the Travel Market which is the worlds organised by the online travel agent association with the Sri Lankan largest travel related exhibition. Below > Local ecotourism guides show tourists Elephant Rock in Arugam Bay.

12 Increasing computer literacy amongst rural communities

It is almost impossible to overstate the Three such centers were established on the So far, centers have been opened in importance of information technology in south and west coasts, allowing many Ambalangoda and Habaraduwa, each the modern world and since its inception people to experience computers and the equipped with four computers. The centres 14 years ago, Sewalanka has made a internet for the very first time. offer training courses as well as email concerted effort to broaden access to IT facilities for community members. facilities and increase computer literacy The centers offered a number of training amongst rurally poor communities in Sri programs; an introduction to computers It is hoped that the centers will soon be Lanka. was provided for young children to become able to stay open outside of course hours comfortable with the basics of computing to serve the community as a general Following the devastating tsunami in 2004, and more advanced courses in Microsoft internet café facility. many coastal communities were left Office applications were provided for older homeless, living in temporary camps and children. Weekend and night time training To increase the number of facilities offered shelters where they found themselves sessions were also held for adults. to community members, Sewalanka is isolated with limited access to telephones. working towards securing broadband The centers were extremely successful internet connections which will provide To enable these temporarily displaced with exceptionally high demand for their users with more freedom when surfing the people to effectively communicate with the services yet as resettlement work drew to a web. Faster internet access will also allow outside world and develop new skills, close, it became unnecessary to maintain the centers to conduct training in more Sewalanka Foundation, in collaboration internet and communication centers at the sophisticated aspects of IT, including web with the Japanese non-governmental decommissioned camp sites. A decision applications and programming. organisation, Peace Boat, set up a was made to relocate the centers to number of IT training centers in post- permanent locations near completed Sewalanka eventually hopes to increase tsunami camps and shelter sites. tsunami resettlement projects. the number of IT centers on the south coast and then extend the scheme to other parts of the country. Legal training manual for communities

In the last edition of our newsletter we To facilitate this training process, IDLO The handbook which is currently in English reported that Sewalanka has, together recently published a handbook which will, it is hoped, equip communities with a with the International Development Law provides an overview of legal procedures working knowledge of the law and the Organisation (ILDO), began an initiative to and principals as well as the details of confidence to deal with future legal increase awareness of the law and legal major acts such as the registration of challenges. matters among community-based companies act, birth and death legislation, organisations (CBOs). and water rights and irrigation law.

A pronounced lack of awareness of the law The handbook is to be distributed amongst Below > IDLO recently launched a has been a major impediment to the Sewalanka staff to assist in training and will handbook for Sewalanka that will assist activities of CBOs, particularly those also serve the communities as a reference with training community members on legal involved in entrepreneurial activities. tool where legal matters are concerned. matters.

By communicating with over 500 CBOs, Sewalanka staff were able to identify their typical legal requirements and together with IDLO prepared a basic legal aware- ness program catering specifically to the needs of these communities.

The program consists of basic training in law, especially those sections of the law dealing with taxation, contracts, land, labor and the environment, which were seen to be most relevant to rural communities.

By providing community leaders with a direct understanding of the law and the capacity to educate others it is hoped the project will remain sustainable.

13 IN BRIEF

Staff cricket match a winner

batsman struck a series elegant innings including a 50. It was felt however that there was no immediate danger of losing any members of Sewalanka staff to the national cricket team.

Women’s volleyball and netball matches also saw some stiff competition, though the rain did its best to interrupt play, Galle emerged overall winners of both events.

In true championship style prizes were distributed and the sporting heroes of the day collected their trophies to thunderous applause and vocal cheering. This done, the events assorted stars returned to their tour-busses and departed, not to a life of Above > The winning Trincomalee cricket team fame, glamour and advertising revenues, Over the years, Sewalanka Foundation has Over a two-day period, staff braved the rain but to the day-to-day challenges of boasted a special family style culture that to play cricket, netball and volleyball development work. looks after the health, education, well-being games. Regional teams were established and the security of staff or the extended and the tournament took on an all island Highlighting the importance of such events, ‘Sewalanka family’. championship format. Although all good Sewalanka’s Director of Human Resources spirited, rivalry was at times intense. and Administration, Ms Kumari Bandara The Sewalanka Welfare Society was said that as an organisation, we under- specifically established in 1998 to look into Men’s cricket was hotly contested with stand that development work can be the personal and social wellbeing of staff. eventual winners Trincomalee overcoming stressful and that it requires a special This September, the society ran a staff determined resistance from runners up energy and commitment from staff. sports meet in the hills of Sri Lanka. Galle and regional rivals Batticoloa. “Attended by members of staff from all Staff from across the island converged on Participants displayed determination and Sewalanka offices, the sports meet was the green but wet surroundings of Hatton to commitment and matches witnessed not only a team building opportunity, but a take part in the event. some fine pieces of individual skill. Hat fun, relaxing weekend and a small token of tricks were taken and Trincomalee’s star our appreciation to staff for their dedication to the organisation,” Ms Bandara said. Nippon Foundation visit

Ever since its inception, Sewalanka has who visited the country to assess the conducted a number of interviews. The worked with a number of international progress of ongoing relief efforts. visitors then attended an army briefing partners whose assistance plays a crucial detailing the status of the army’s current role in the operation of the organisation. The delegation was comprised of Mr relief efforts and visited a Nippon Shuichi Ono and Ms Maki Honda as well Foundation funded prosthetics centre. The An important and long-standing partner of as journalists from a number of Japanese final leg of the trip included a visit to Sewalanka is the Nippon Foundation, one newspapers and television networks. Sewalanka’s Islander Centre and organic of Japan’s largest non-governmental farm. organisations. Sewalanka provided an itinerary for the delegation’s visit to the east and arranged While witnessing first hand the manifest Over the past two years, following for the visitors to meet with presidential difficulties still faced by IDPs Nippon negotiations with Sewalanka, the Nippon advisor Mr Basil Rajapakse to discuss the Foundation delegates expressed their Foundation has been helping to provide prevailing security situation in the east and satisfaction at the progress made thus far relief aid and assistance to internally Government plans for the development of and said that they looked forward to displaced people (IDP) in the east of the the region. working in partnership with Sewalanka in country. Sri Lanka in the future. In the east Mr Shuichhi and Ms Ono visited Recently Sewalanka was pleased to host a number of IDP camps and were able to a delegation from the Nippon Foundation interact with refugees, while journalists and an accompanying team of journalists,

14 Funding secured for Batticaloa children’s home

Several months ago, Sewalanka however, they lacked the funds to construct “Upon completion, the new building will Foundation released an appeal seeking a suitable building at this new site. house comfortable dormitories, modern funding for the construction of a new kitchens and IT facilities. It is hoped that premises for the Hari Children’s Home in It was at this point that Sewalanka the new building will help provide these Batticaloa. The home, which provides care Foundation became involved to help find a vulnerable children, some as young as and shelter for over 70 young boys, has donor who would fund the completion of the seven, who have already lost both parents been housed in an abandoned movie building. to the tsunami or the conflict, with a stable, theater since it was first established. comfortable environment in which to work Director, Mr G Nagarajah towards a brighter future.” After the tsunami, the home found itself said that after several months of searching inundated with new arrivals, all young he was very pleased to report that earlier Construction of the building is expected to children made homeless by the disaster. this month Sewalanka was able to secure be completed within the next eight months, a donation of 4.1 million rupees from Mr at which point the children will finally be Facing the imminent termination of its Abhishek Jain from Tsunami Relief, an able to leave the theatre and begin life in a lease in 2006, the president of the home’s organisation based in Virginia, USA. genuine home. management committee, Mr Chandrakumar began an urgent campaign “This contribution should prove sufficient to to acquire funding for a new building. allow for the construction of a modern building that will provide the children with a The home was fortunate to receive a private safe and secure environment for the 10 to donation of prime land in a part of the town 15 years they will call it home,” Mr much more amenable to the children, Nagarajah said.

Below > Boys from the Hari Children’s Home participating in the Pada Yatra.

15 Women of Sri Lanka fundraising calendar

This month Sewalanka will present a pictorial panorama of Sri Lankan women and their roles in the 21st century through its Women of Sri Lanka calendar.

For the past three years the calendar has been published to raise funds for the organisation’s women’s empowerment programs and as a showcase for the grace and beauty that exists in the every day lives of Sri Lankan women. This year’s edition presents a variety of scenes which highlight the breadth and diversity of local women and their roles.

Twelve images in black and white capture the subtleness, vitality and energy that Sri Lankan women manifest in every day life. The scenes depict the contrast and balance of traditional and modern that characterise the women of the island; from the ambition and aspirations of the young, to the timeless tenderness of rural mothers.

While it is a way of conveying the strength and beauty of local women it is also a means to raise funds for projects that specifically focus on empowering and assisting women and girls throughout the island.

This year’s calendar is an exhibition of the work of Canadian-born Sri Lankan resident Patricia Mamelka who, together with Dominic Sansoni worked to provide this unique insight into the villages, homes and lives of local women.

Last year’s calendar raised over Rs.380,000, which made a significant contribution to work that enhances the capacity of women to improve their incomes and livelihoods.

As in previous years the calendar will be available in bookshops throughout Sri Lanka.

For further information on where to purchase a calendar, email [email protected] Sewalanka newsletter To subscribe to Sewalanka Foundation’s newsletter by post or Sewalanka Foundation email, or to send comments regarding Post Box No.3 , Colombo Road, Boralesgamuwa the publication, contact Sewalanka’s p: +94 (0)11 2545 362-4 | f: +94 (0)11 2545 166 Communications Unit at e: [email protected] | w: www.sewalanka.org [email protected]