Sewalanka staff. the pilgrimagehadbecomeanimportanttraditionfor Foundation ChairmanHarshaKumaraNavaratnesaid Walking forthethirdyearinarow, Sewalanka Esala Festival. holy cityofKataragamaintimeforthestart procession travelledover120kilometrestofinishinthe Chanting andsingingtokeepwildanimalsatbay, the walked thefinalfive-daylegthroughYala NationalPark. Christian staffmembersjoinedwithpilgrimsasthey Sinhalese, Tamil, Hindu,Buddhist,Muslimand Leaving fromOkandain Districton21July, together fromdistrictsacrosstheislandtoparticipate. July thisyear, withover225staff memberscoming tradition oftheKataragamaPada Yatra pilgrimagein Sewalanka Foundationonceagainjoinedintheannual Edition #13, INSIDE Sewalanka joinsKataragama Psychosocial supportinthe Schools opening in IFSP scaleddown Temporary shelters Working towardspeace SEWALANKA FOUNDATION October 2006 ...... 6 ...... ot ...... 7 ...... South decommissioned ...... 2 ...... ot ...... 8 ...... north ...... 4 ...... Newsletter companions onthistraditionaljourney,” hesaid. reflect andsharetheirexperienceswitholdnew across thecountryarecomingtogethertoworship, the followingyear. Eachyear, moreandstaff from “In thefirstyearwehadaround60participantsand120 team. become animportantannualeventfortheSewalanka organisation thatattemptstodothesame;ithas across age,race,genderandreligionforan “The Pada Yatra isapowerfulexperiencethatcuts customs,” MrNavaratnesaid. opportunity tolearnaboutoneofSriLanka’soldest tradition andtogiveouryoungergenerationsthe members theopportunitytocontinueachildhood organisation threeyearsagotoallowourolderstaff “We decidedtoparticipateinthepilgrimageasan Volunteers @ 14 ...... News, events andtraining Hari Children'sHome 12 ...... Work continuesonTrincomalee centre 10 ...... Response toemergency situation eaak ...... 19 ...... Sewalanka pel...... 13 ...... appeal Continued pg.3 Feature

Working towards peace "Valoor’s peace team identified an interest from young community members in establishing a light- Patrick Silvester has been working with Sewalanka Foundation hearted cricket competition as a Peace and Reconciliation Coordinator since February this between villages in the area." year. Based in District in the country’s northeast, Mr Silvester is responsible for developing support and enthusiasm for peace and reconciliation activities across the District.

When I began working at Sewalanka, my first task was to develop activities with young people in the Trincomalee area. There were originally eight target villages determined by Sewalanka and our long term partner German Agro Action, however as three were located in uncleared areas, we are now working with only five of these.

I work with 12 extremely hardworking field officers and coordinators. Most of these field staff are young like myself so it makes it easier for us to work well as a team with the young people.

After conducting initial awareness meetings in these five villages, we spoke to the young people from each community. For some reason many development staff working in the villages are older people. When the young people see us in the field, they seem really happy to speak openly because we are of a similar age. They say that it is normally their elders who make decisions for them and tell them what they should do. We told them that we wanted to hear their ideas; that these ideas and the resulting actions are what we want to promote.

It’s a difficult situation in Trincomalee these days. There are armed forces on both sides of most streets. Shelling happens frequently. Soldiers are stressed and some are scared. It is rare for people to be outside of their houses after 7.30 pm, especially young people. They are too afraid. We wanted to see what we could do to improve the situation, even just a little.

Following the awareness meetings, we created ‘Sewa Peace Teams’ – one in each village. Each team has seven young people and two or three elders. The ages of the young people range from 18 to 30 years. The elders include village leaders, teachers and members from community-based organisations. I meet with each peace team every two weeks and we go over their activities and three-month plans.

When we first established the teams, we didn’t give any ideas to them in the first month. Instead, they were briefed about the project and >> Top: Mr Silvester conducting a their responsibilities and left to come up with their own ideas about peace and reconciliation awareness what they wanted to achieve and how this could be done. program.

>> Middle: A non-violent At the end of one month, we went back into the villages and communications workshop in conducted non-violent communication training workshops with Trincomalee. community members. After these workshops we sat down with the >> Bottom: Valoor’s Peace Team peace teams and discussed their progress. Two teams had already cleaning a school in Trincomalee. started small programs and the other three had some ideas but wanted our assistance to begin undertaking them.

2 One of the activities undertaken in this first month was a Trincomalee what their plans for the future are and they multi-ethnic cricket team in the village of Valoor. will tell you that they want to finish their studies and move Surrounded by three army camps, the village of Valoor is to the UK or to America. In their minds, they don’t think predominately made up of Tamil Muslims. Valoor’s Peace will ever achieve peace and will do anything Team identified an interest from young community they can to get out. members in establishing a light-hearted cricket When it comes to village members, they want to do competition between villages in the area. They something about the situation because they often don’t approached Sewalanka for equipment and advice and then have the same opportunities to get out. They know that if generated letters to the District Secretariat’s office and to they can do something then they can make their lives the armed forces in the area, requesting approval to hold safer. the event. And that’s exactly what these teams are now doing – There were some initial reservations from the armed something! forces, however after the first day they were impressed to see what was happening; women were playing cricket, My next aim is to develop a network with other youngsters from all over the area were playing together organisations doing similar work. There are so many and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. organisations working for peace. If we linked our activities and had a better understanding of what each of us is One team even visited a nearby village of 50 families and doing, it would make things so much easier. upon learning that the community was without a water supply, established a community-based organisation Sewalanka Foundation has five Peace and (CBO) made up of community members. Once they had Reconciliation Coordinators working in four districts; established the CBO, they approached us for assistance Trincomalee, Mannar, and Kilinochchi. For in purchasing the piping required to establish a water more information on these and other peace and supply. Then they confirmed with us that the labour and reconciliation activities currently underway, email maintenance would be provided by the peace team and Mr Naushad Ahamed, Project Assistant at the families of the village. This is amazing! [email protected]

One of Sewalanka’s major mandates is to bring communities together to form CBOs and this is exactly what these kids have done; they established a CBO of 50 families. This CBO has also committed itself to providing additional support to its women-headed households! Continued from pg. 1 The Pada Yatra is a pilgrimage that traditionally begins at In other target villages, peace teams are focusing on the northern tip of the peninsula and ends in the language classes; Sinhala and English for Tamil speakers southern holy city, Kataragama; a destination for devotees and Tamil and English for Sinhala communities. There is of Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam. According to legend, it no age limit for participants, classes run four or five times was here that the god Kataragama – also known as a week and the instructors are professionals from local Skanda, Kanda, Murugan and Arumugum – settled after a schools and universities. battle against the enemies of the gods.

These kinds of activities have had a big impact on the Devotees follow along the same coastal route upon which village members’ perceptions of young people and teams it is said Kataragama travelled. Pilgrims stop to pray at are gaining respect from their communities, including the numerous holy sites along the way, including the location police and security forces. where, according to legend, Lord Kataragama met his second wife, Valli Amma, a Sri Lankan vedda. The activities have also had a big impact on relationships between the youth involved. In one village the peace team These days, checkpoints and conflict make it difficult for is made up of Tamil Hindus and Tamil Muslims, who many pilgrims to start their journey in Jaffna. For most together are working to develop ways to promote inter- pilgrims, this year's walk began in Verugal Trincomalee. cultural understanding and tolerance in their own community, as well as neighbouring communities.

Ask any young person in who is originally from

3 Housing update

Temporary shelters decommissioned "Field officers are also undertaking a basic analysis of permanent housing sites to deter- Since the tsunami, Sewalanka staff have been working with a mine the needs of communities as multitude of donor agencies and the Government to provide temporary they resettle into their new homes." shelter and infrastructure to almost 10,000 families across Sri Lanka.

Now, 22 months later, families are gradually being moved into permanent homes. In some areas of the country, temporary shelters are being removed by the hundreds, while in other areas increased fighting has led to shelter occupants moving back into welfare camps. The following is a snapshot of the temporary shelter situation for Sewalanka-constructed and managed shelters and sites as of mid- September 2006.

South With funds from Concern Worldwide, Sewalanka constructed 5440 temporary shelter sites across , Matara, , and Colombo.

To date, 1596 shelters have been decommissioned across Galle, Matara and Hambantota and 870 in the west.

Residents of shelters are being relocated to different permanent housing sites. Sewalanka is attempting to monitor the movements of occupants from temporary to permanent sites. Field officers are also undertaking a basic analysis of permanent housing sites to determine the needs of communities as they resettle into their new homes.

At this early stage, it has been observed that a large disparity exists between permanent housing sites. Some are well resourced and linked to community infrastructure, while others lack basic services such as a regular water supply, electricity and suitable roads.

North Sewalanka constructed 1500 temporary shelters after the tsunami hit the northern districts of Jaffna, Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu. Of these 1500, Sewalanka currently manages one site with 124 occupants in Mullaitivu, with the remainder managed by Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) and other agencies.

In and Maradenkerny in Jaffna, 340 temporary homes were constructed. Due to the lack of land in Point Pedro, most homes were constructed individually and have not required management.

Two hundred and sixty temporary shelters have been constructed in >> Top and middle: Many families in Ampara continue to occupy their Mullaitivu. Sewalanka provides water, sanitation, maintenance and temporary houses. support services to one camp of 145 occupants.

>> Bottom: A deconstructed site in Kilinochchi. In Kilinochchi, 900 temporary shelters were constructed in Kallaru.

Sewalanka has constructed 160 permanent homes with funding from German Agro Action and aims to complete 346 additional shelters by June 2007. Prior to recent fighting, 10 houses had been completed in

4 Kottadi and Suppermadam (Point Pedro, Jaffna) with work livelihood redevelopment opportunities to communities as on another 40 houses well underway. In Maradenkerny, 30 they gradually move into permanent homes. houses were completed and construction of an additional 40 houses had commenced. Twenty houses were Twenty-eight year old Ms Pereeda occupies a temporary completed in Mullaitivu with work on an additional 80 shelter constructed by Sewalanka in Palmunai. As the houses underway. sudden surge of water hit her home on 26 December 2004, Ms Pereeda fled with her two children to a local A major issue facing occupants of both temporary and mosque, where she waited to hear from her husband, a permanent housing is the conflict in the area. Some local fisherman who had left early that morning for the occupants have fled shelters for refugee camps. sea.

At the time of print, work has slowed on the Sewalanka/ Reporting later that he had been struck down by the GAA permanent housing project. "Production has been waves, Ms Pereeda’s husband managed to make his way scaled down and will be put on hold for six months. If the to the Mosque where he joined his family. situation has not improved by this time, development will most likely be suspended,” Regional Field Director Mr The family soon discovered that their home had been Thanabalasundaram Thamilalagan said. destroyed and all of their possessions had been washed away. The family spent the following two months living at East the Mosque, after which time they moved into a In Ampara, 406 of the 1050 transitional shelters transitional shelter constructed by Sewalanka. constructed by Sewalanka have been decommissioned. Decommissioned sites have included those constructed In September 2006, Ms Pereeda and her family were still in Komari, Sakalagala and Arsaadithotam. living in their temporary house. Since the tsunami, Ms Pereeda’s husband has been plagued by stress related A remaining 644 shelters are occupied. International heart problems and has only recently been healthy Organisation for Migration (IOM) has funded a program to enough to restart his fishing activities. In the meantime, upgrade remaining shelters by providing tin sheets for Ms Pereeda has been generating a small income through roofing to replace cadjan, repairing damages and the handloom machine provided to her by Sewalanka, as constructing additional toilets. part of its USAID-funded livelihood program.

In , 1458 transitional shelters were constructed “I had a handloom before the tsunami, but it was washed by Sewalanka. At September 2006, 650 families remained away. Receiving a new handloom has meant that I am in these shelters. able to earn an income. This means that my children can attend school and that we will continue to have meals to One factor contributing to the number of people still eat each day,” Ms Pereeda said. occupying shelter sites is the location of two of the sites in Puchankerni and Kathiraveli; LTTE-controlled areas The family are currently rebuilding their original home affected by the recently increased conflict. Sewalanka using money provided by the Government of Sri Lanka, staff have reported that many families from these sites however the grant provided falls short of the amount have fled into welfare camps. required to complete the work. Ms Pereeda and her husband continue to save whatever they can to pay for the In some cases, male family members have stayed on in remaining construction and hope to move their family shelters to protect family possessions while female family back into their home soon. members and children seek refuge in camps. In the meantime, Sewalanka Foundation has replaced the The long road to recovery roof on the family’s temporary house – from cadjun to tin – with funds provided by DanishChurchAid, to combat heavy rain expected during the impending monsoon. Palamunai is a small coastal town in Sri Lanka’s eastern Batticaloa District. Hit heavily by the tsunami, the town’s Concerned about the delays facing families moving into infrastructure was destroyed, 300 homes were lost and 50 permanent homes, maintenance plans have been homes were damaged. developed for all temporary shelter sites to ensure a quality standard of living for those unable to return to their Staff at Sewalanka’s Batticaloa office have spent the past own or newly established permanent homes. For Ms 22 months providing transitional housing and Pereeda and her family, the journey back to a ‘normal’ life infrastructure, as well as ongoing support services and continues.

5 IFSP update

Integrated Food Security Program "The current security situation has scaled down resulted in a number of constraints to the progress of the IFSP." A number of activities related to Sewalanka’s and German Agro Action’s (GAA) Integrated Food Security Project (IFSP), a development program which assists former internally displaced people, have recently been scaled down due to the escalation of violence in the north of the country and the changes in the security situation.

A sharp rise of internally displaced people and an increase in violence as a result of ongoing conflict between Armed Forces and the LTTE has meant that proper planning of development activities has been challenging for Sewalanka and GAA staff members.

The project, funded by the Ministry of Economic Development and Cooperation in Germany, is located in the Wanni area and has to date assisted over 3000 families.

The IFSP moved into its important second phase in October last year; a phase aimed at developing the capacity of community-based organisations (CBOs) and establishing self monitoring systems. Other targets include strengthening social mobilisation, farmer groups and other CBOs; and building the capacity of project partners, staff and field officers.

The current security situation has resulted in a number of constraints to the progress of the IFSP.

Access to the project area has been limited as borderlines near Omantai have been closed making it extremely difficult to transport goods in to the area.

Development of CBOs including saving and credit groups, training activities and business development, has been scaled down with infrastructure activities becoming the major focus wherever possible and suitable.

Minor construction works such as wells and individual paddy store facilities are continuing. However, construction activities where engineering is essential – such as in the construction of bridges – will be postponed until access to project areas is safe.

This change in direction to the IFSP has been called the ‘interim phase’ and will be re-evaluated after a six month period. The ongoing plan of operation for the project will then be revised.

>> Top: IFSP activities have been scaled For further information and updates on the IFSP visit down to minor works, such as wells. www.sewalanka.org/IFSP or contact Ms Lakshi Abeysekara via >> Middle: From left: Ms Kaushalya Navaratne; Mr Damnik Wijekoon; and email at [email protected] Hon. Shan Wijayalal DeSilva opening a new building at Dangedera Jayawardana Maha Vidyalaya.

>> Bottom: Al Haja.R.M. Thassim College students outside their new school building.

6 Update from the south

Schools opening in the south

Additional buildings for three schools in Sri Lanka’s Galle Already in a dilapidated state, the school building district have been constructed and officially opened as experienced further damage while being used as an part of Sewalanka’s Tsunami Schools Reconstruction emergency shelter site. Sewalanka Foundation and GAA Project. observed that existing facilities would no longer cater to current pupils, let alone additional students from the School children and staff, community members, surrounding schools which were destroyed, and agreed to government representatives as well as Sewalanka and provide assistance. German Agro Action (GAA) staff attended colourful ceremonies held at each of the schools on 30 June. Assistance included upgrades to existing buildings, construction of new buildings and the installation of a Speaking at each event, GAA Country Director Mr Heinz permanent water supply – the school’s first. Seidler highlighted the importance of supporting community access to quality education facilities in the Students at the college took advantage of the opening wake of a disaster. ceremony to give their thanks to Sewalanka and GAA staff. “Education is very important for the development of a country. We hope that these new buildings and “Today is a very important day for our school,” one student improvements to existing facilities will contribute to a said. better teaching and learning experience for current and future generations,” Mr Seidler said. “Before 2004 the buildings of our school were in a dilapidated condition. The parapet wall and fence were Implemented by Sewalanka Foundation in partnership broken down. with GAA, the ongoing project includes construction of two schools in the Batticaloa district and six schools in "As our parents were badly affected by the tsunami, it Galle. was impossible to get community support for the development of the school,” she said. These eight schools were prioritised by Sewalanka and GAA staff from a list of 16 schools put forward by the “Fortunately Sewalanka Foundation came forward to help. Department of Education in 2005. Funding for the project They renovated one of our classrooms into a computer was provided by the German magazine, Stern. centre, fixed our music room and library, separated the classrooms and also provided an assembly hall. They As the project name suggests, each of the eight schools then erected a beautiful parapet wall which makes our was affected in some way by the tsunami. Both school look nice and also provides protection.” Batticaloa schools were completely destroyed by the waves and are in the process of being rebuilt. Sewalanka Foundation and German Agro Action will Construction is expected to be completed by January celebrate the completion of rehabilitation work to three 2007. additional schools in the Galle area before the end of the year. While many schools in Galle were also destroyed, the decision was taken not to rebuild schools located within a For further information, contact Ms Kaushalya 100-metre buffer zone. As such, many existing schools Navaratne via email at [email protected] located further inland are being upgraded to accommodate increased student numbers.

This has been the case at Buona Vista College. Located high on a hill near Unawatuna, the school became a destination for those seeking shelter immediately following the tsunami.

7 Psychosocial update

Improving the 'software' – "Our three year psychosocial psychosocial support in the north project is mitigating the effects of the conflict, encouraging peaceful coexistence and improving the wellbeing of Tamil, Muslim and Sewalanka has been running infrastructure development or ‘hardware’ Sinhala communities." projects on behalf of Sri Lankan communities for many years now. ‘Software’ projects, or the psychosocial development of communities, is a relatively new area of practice for the organisation.

Over the past three years a program has been established to improve the physical, mental, social and spiritual wellbeing of people in the north of the country who have been affected by long-term civil unrest.

The initiative, called the Integrated Development and Psychosocial Support in Post Conflict Environment Program, aims to improve the wellbeing of individuals by alleviating the effects of war through home visits and ‘befriending’ community members, preschool visits and community awareness sessions.

Mr Thamilamuthan Thanabalasundam, Sewalanka’s Psychosocial Advisor said that displacement, lack of social integration and economic sustainability are just a handful of issues that individuals from the north are facing as a result of the conflict.

“Our psychosocial project is mitigating the effects of the conflict, encouraging peaceful coexistence and improving the wellbeing of Tamil, Muslim and Sinhala communities," Mr Thanabalasundam said.

“Funded by Helvetas, we started the project in 2003 as a one-year pilot, working with 20 villages in the Vavuniya District. Its success meant we could extend the project until 2006.

“The current psychosocial project has been effectively running since January 2004 and is being implemented in Vavuniya and Mannar. About 10,000 families have been supported over the past three years.

“Our work involves training Sewalanka staff members from across the country on psychosocial sensitivity and issues, increasing awareness amongst village members, befriending services, home visits, referrals, preschool activities, capacity building of community-based organisations and establishing good working relationships with government and non-government organisations and psychosocial forums,” he said.

For further information, contact Mr Thamilamuthan

>> Top and middle: Preschool visits Thanabalasundam via email at [email protected] enhance the wellbeing of children through simple activities.

>> Bottom: A CBO participates in a Sewalanka psychosocial information awareness session.

8 The psychosocial team – north

Sewalanka’s psychosocial team in the north is headed by identifying potential psychosocial issues affecting well known local counselor Sister Cristobel and comprises students and how to enhance relationships with parents a project manager, field coordinators, field officers, field to improve their willingness to discuss issues. Parents’ assistants and accounts assistants. The team has workshops involve child-related issues such as health and undergone extensive training on befriending services and preparing nutritious meals. received short term training in psychosocial and related subjects. In 2005, the team benefited from the supervision - Participation in district psychosocial forums of Clinical Psychologist and VSO volunteer, Dr Shobha Singh. The district level Psychosocial Forum is a coordination body which brings together stakeholders involved in Project activities psychosocial programs, including government bodies and - ‘Befriending’ home visits local and international non-government organisations (NGOs). The group meets monthly to discuss related A core element of the program is befriending, where issues and also facilitates capacity building programs for officers pay regular home visits to community members. NGO workers. Sewalanka significantly contributed to the Confidential, psychosocial support is provided to clients, formation and implementation of these forums and reducing the impact of stress, alcoholism, as well as continues to actively support them. specific issues faced by woman and children. Sewalanka is working closely with the Ministry of Health in both districts by referring clients who require further support to - Staff training and education the Ministry’s Mental Health Unit, a weekly group clinic. Sewalanka has over 962 staff members and 102 volunteers. The psychosocial team is responsible for - Awareness building programs training staff members, including field officers and program managers, to become aware of psychosocial issues. Activities in villages are conducted to create awareness of Officers learn about trauma, stress release techniques, psychosocial issues. Three-hour long interactive befriending, communication, anger management, information awareness sessions are presented to domestic violence awareness, child abuse and children’s, community-based organisations (CBOs) by Sewalanka rights so that Sewalanka programs are designed and representatives, covering the following core psychosocial implemented in a way which is sensitive to psychosocial issues: issues. - Basic psychosocial wellbeing - Stress and how to handle it - Women’s participation in community development - Responding to the current conflict in the north - Communication The team is working to improve the welfare of new - Group dynamics and group work internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the north of the - Children's rights and child abuse country by training 20 Sewalanka staff members to work - Gender issues and gender balance with IDPs and host communities on psychosocial issues. - Domestic violence Activities include organising regular clinics, providing - Leadership medical supplies, training volunteers, awareness raising, - Alcohol and drug abuse befriending services, and other suitable psychosocial - Basic first aid interventions. - HIV AIDS

- Preschool visits The team visits preschools to work with teachers, children and their parents. Children, aged from three to five years, participate in simple educational activities like keeping their work area clean and planting flowers, activities aimed at teaching self-respect and pride in their work and surrounds. Working with teachers, sessions are run on

9 Responding to the conflict

Response to emergency situation in Jaffna and Trincomalee

Escalated violence in the north and east of Sri Lanka in early August resulted in over 100,000 displaced people in Trincomalee and Jaffna. Since fighting began in each region, approximately 40,000 individuals in Jaffna and 60,000 in Trincomalee sought refuge in camps, schools and religious buildings located in safer areas.

Sewalanka has been working with a number of agencies in both districts to provide emergency relief to those displaced. Shelter, water, fire wood, sanitation facilities, food items, toiletries and medical supplies have been and, in some areas, continue to be provided to community members.

In Trincomalee, Sewalanka staff provided initial assistance to individuals at nine camps in five districts. Once occupants were settled into camps, Sewalanka responded to Government Agent (GA) requests to focus efforts on providing relief to individuals in five camps in the Kantale and Seruwila districts.

In early September, the Government of Sri Lanka facilitated the move of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from camps back to Muttur Town. At the time of print, Sewalanka staff were working to complete an assessment in and around Muttur Town with the aim of prioritising the needs of IDPs and identifying gaps in aid distribution.

Reports will be provided to the District Secretariat to assist with calls by the Government for a coordinated approach to the region’s ongoing humanitarian effort.

From mid August, Sewalanka has also been providing emergency relief to IDPs in Jaffna, following intense fighting in and around Thenmarachy and the coastal areas of Allipady, Mantaitivu and Mankumpan.

With the main road to Jaffna closed due to heavy fighting, limited access by boat and no electricity, Sewalanka staff provided much needed food and non-food supplies to IDPs in camps in Jaffna Town and Vadamarachy. All relief work has been coordinated with staff from UN and international and local non-government organisations (NGOs).

Emergency relief work was also carried out in Mannada, Theevu, Alanthivu, Varani and Manthuvil.

A communications office has been established in Vavuniya to provide a link between staff in Jaffna and those in Kilinochchi, as well as between northern districts and head office. >> Top: A temporary home for a woman and her son in Kanthale, Trincomalee. At the time of print, upon the request of the GA in Jaffna, Sewalanka will provideing a monthly ration of basic food items to 5443 families in various >> Middle: Sewalanka staff distributing relief items to IDPs at temporary regions. This activity is being coordinated with the GA and the Ministry of shelter camps in Jaffna Town. Nation Building. The project is funded by ECHO and is being >> Bottom: Photos of ACF victims on implemented with Sewalanka's long-term partner, German Agro Action. display during a memorial service in Trincomalee. You can help to ensure that the security and basic human needs of IDPs are met by contributing to the Sewalanka Appeal Fund. To make a donation visit www.sewalanka.org 10 News, events and training

Sewalanka initiates Disaster Risk Reduction Program

Following the 2004 tsunami, Sewalanka Foundation has The villages will also be linked to district and national recently implemented a disaster risk reduction (DRR) early warning systems. initiative to increase the resilience of vulnerable Sri Lankan communities to damaging coastal impacts. The disaster management committees to be established in each village will comprise village leaders and This pilot project for Sewalanka’s DRR program, being community members. These teams will be responsible for conducted in two coastal villages – one in Kalutara and leading the preparedness, mitigation and planning one in Hambantoata – include a number of activities aimed activities, for being the link to district level systems and at engaging the targeted communities to address issues for leading and coordinating their communities in a relating to potential hazards, vulnerability, community disaster situation. preparedness, hazard mitigation, responding to disasters and planning recovery. By supporting the communities to conduct the work themselves, it is intended that these vulnerable areas will The activities aim to raise awareness of coastal hazards be better able to respond to emergency situations and will and their potential damaging effects, and include training be able to take the responsibility for remaining prepared. programs that highlight steps the communities can take to reduce the total impacts of these hazards. It is expected that this project and the two model resilient communities will inform and provide guidance to future The project is funded by USAID through their Indian Ocean Sewalanka community-based DRR initiatives. Tsunami Warning System (IOTMS) Small Grants Program. For further information, contact Social Development The IOTWS program was instigated in response to the Advisor Ms Kate Hulbert-Powell at tsunami and targets the five nations worst affected by the [email protected] event, including Sri Lanka. It uses an ‘end-to-end’ approach which encompasses numerous levels of tsunami and coastal warning response initiatives, from satellite- Aid workers killed in Muttur linked advanced detection technologies to coastal community resilience (CCR) building. Sewalanka Foundation Chairman Mr Harsha Kumara Navaratne has expressed the condolences of Sewalanka’s The project demands a high level of participation from the management and staff to the families of 17 aid workers communities, who are guided by project staff, to conduct murdered in Muttur, Trincomalee. the planning and mitigation activities. The bodies of the 17 staff members of aid agency Action Project staff are overseen by the Sewalanka DRR Advisory Contre la Faim (Action Against Hunger) were discovered Committee a group of trained Sewalanka experts in and around the organisation’s compound in Muttur on established to develop the organisation's work in the area. Sunday, 6 August.

Key activities include awareness creation, the “On behalf of Sewalanka Foundation, I wish to convey my development of community action plans, preparedness deepest condolences to the families, friends and and mitigation activities, mock-scenarios and the colleagues grieving the loss of the 17 ACF staff members. development of village disaster management committees. I also wish to express my sadness at the alarming deterioration of peace in the north and east of Sri Lanka. The project and the community guidance methods have been designed to incorporate all community members “Whilst the death of innocent civilians during any conflict including the elderly, the young, the disabled and other situation is devastating, it is particularly saddening when vulnerable groups. the safety of humanitarian staff working to provide life- saving relief within their own communities, cannot be Simple, low cost technologies will be introduced to get the guaranteed. village-level early-warning system (EWS) in place. Systems will utilise resources currently available such as As a member of the humanitarian community, I am speaker systems attached to village religious buildings. appalled by this heinous act and join with my colleagues in supporting a full inquiry into these deaths. 11 News, events and training

Work continues on Trincomalee "The training centre will comple- training centre ment efforts by Sewalanka Foun- dation, the Sri Lankan Govern- Sewalanka Foundation with assistance from long-term partner ment, German Agro Action and German Agro Action (GAA), is establishing a technical training humanitarian agencies to revive education centre in Gopalapuram, just north of the provincial capital of the fisheries sub-sector in the east the east, Trincomalee town. which has been paralysed by the armed conflict and the tsunami." Sewalanka aims to mobilise multi-ethnic and multi-lingual fishing and coastal communities which were badly affected by the tsunami and will provide local fishermen, women from fishing families, unemployed people, youth, disabled people and vulnerable families with technical and skills development opportunities at the training centre.

The multi-building, multi-purpose technical education centre will include classrooms, workshops, a conference room, computer facilities, a library, café and a hostel for students.

Programs to be conducted out of the centre will focus on vocational training and will include handicrafts, boat related courses, fish processing, farmers training, financial management and coastal management. These programs will be geared toward improving the wellbeing and livelihood of the local community.

The training centre will complement efforts by Sewalanka Foundation, the Sri Lankan Government, GAA and humanitarian agencies to revive the fisheries sub-sector in the east which has been paralysed by the armed conflict and the tsunami – promoting economic recovery in the region.

Construction of the centre, which started in September 2005 and which was due for completion by the end of 2006 may be slightly delayed due to the effects of the current conflict in the area.

The foundations for all the buildings have been completed and work recently began on the structure.

It is estimated that the centre will be fully operational in January 2007. Staff, including a curriculum development specialist, participatory development specialist, training assistants and a computer operator, will be appointed one month prior to the opening.

For further information contact the Trincomalee district office via email at [email protected]

>> Top: Construction of the multi- purpose technical education centre in Trincomalee is underway.

>> Middle and bottom: Boys at the Hari Childrens Home.

12 Appeal for children's home in Batticaloa

Sewalanka Foundation is seeking funding to develop a Sewalanka’s association with the Hari Children’s Home youth home for 42 children in the Batticaloa district. began after the tsunami, through the Sewalanka Appeals Fund. A two-story childrens home, to be constructed in Kallady, Batticaloa will provide permanent high quality Funds raised by Withinfield’s Primary School in England accommodation for orphaned children in the area. were directly used to purchase bicycles, school books and other essential items for the orphans. The work will be carried out on behalf of the Hari Children’s Home which was established in 2000 by a Four voluntary caretakers currently live at the premises group of local social workers to provide educational and are responsible for the welfare of the children, who welfare for orphaned, destitute and abandoned children range in age from five to 15 years. An executive from war affected families. committee of seven members meets regularly and is responsible for administering the Home as well as raising After the 2004 tsunami, the home expanded its reach to financial support to ensure the provision of quality services care for tsunami-affected children. to the occupants. This management committee consists of a doctor, a government employee, a teacher and others The home is currently housed at a temporary facility with who provide voluntarily services to the children. the lease due to expire in December this year. The children currently occupy two houses, one in Batticaloa For further information on the Hari Children’s Home town and one 10 kilometers away from town. These or to contribute to the project, contact Sewalanka current facilities are also inadequate for supporting an vie email at [email protected] increasing number of occupants and one is situated next to a busy road – an inappropriate location for children.

A block of land located near the temporary sites, and close to primary schools and a doctor, has been privately donated for permanent use by the Home. Staff and volunteers have cleared the land and it is now available for Sewalanka morns tragic loss construction. On 1 September, Sewalanka Foundation staff member Sewalanka is seeking funding for the construction, which Sathiyamoorthey Selvaroopan and his mother were is estimated at Rs.8.5 million. murdered by an unidentified armed group at their home in Karanavai, Karaveddy, Jaffna. Mr Chandrakumar, President of the Hari Childrens Home Management Committee said that the purpose of the Sewalanka Foundation Chairman Mr Harsha Kumara orphanage is to provide a safe and secure abode where Navaratne and all staff members of Sewalanka convey children are fed and educated for 10 to 15 years, until their sincere condolences to the family of the deceased they get settled in life. and hope for a swift resolution to the murder investigation and a rapid recovery for Mr Selvaroopan’s injured wife and “The children get computer training and after school brother. tutoring and all have opened a bank account and are saving money to give them a more solid base when they Mr Selvaroopan, 27, completed his GCE/OL education at leave the house. This money they are saving will also help Colombo Hindu College and was recruited by Sewalanka them to take ongoing schooling, to go to university or to Foundation as a social mobiliser in May 2006. He worked pursue vocational training,” Mr Chandrakumar said. to serve the vulnerable communities in Vadamarachchi under the ‘Northeast Coastal Community Development “In order to house and educate these children we need a Project’ executed by the Northeast Provincial Council and building where the children feel at home. The new land financed by the Asian Development Bank. aquired for the boarding facility is in a prime position and will provide a child-friendly facility and atmosphere,” he said

13 News, events and training

Tourism programs in the east "Sewalanka and Instituto Cooperazione Economica Internazionale are assisting the Sewalanka Foundation’s Sustainable Tourism Program in partnership Association to develop itineraries with Italian NGO Instituto Cooperazione Economica Internazionale and pricing schemes for their (ICEI) recently trained 13 local tour guides from eastern regions of Sri tours and to create links with other Lanka. The Sinhala , Muslim and Tamil guides were local community local organisations for marketing members from , Arugam Bay and . and business purposes." All the guides who sat the exam passed the Sri Lankan Tourist Board administered written and oral components and received area guide licenses.

Guides were taught by five trainers who were trained by the Sri Lanka Eco-Tourism Foundation.

Sewalanka Foundation Tourism Program Coordinator Mr Indika Jagatha Harshana said the training covered many areas relevant to local tourism, including marine and coastal ecosystems, archaeology, bird watching, elephant behaviour and guiding techniques. English language skills were also taught by a local English instructor.

"Sewalanka Foundation and ICEI are continuing to build the capacity of the trained guides by empowering them to create an association called Community Based Eco-Guides Association (CEGA),” Mr Harshana said.

“The Association will develop itineraries with local communities to offer tours in Arugam Bay. The guides will be the link between tourists and local communities and will bring knowledge of local history and environment to the tours,” he said.

Sewalanka and ICEI are assisting the Association to develop itineraries and pricing schemes for their tours and to create links with other local organisations for marketing and business purposes.

Sewalanka and ICEI are also working to increase community-based tourism in the east by supporting the construction of a Community- Based Tourism Centre (CTC) to house CEGA and the Arugam Bay Tourism Association offices.

“As well as empowering guides to generate an alternative income for themselves and their communities by providing services for tourists, the centre will become a hub for communities to access the tourism industry through tourism programs and as an outlet for the sale of products to tourists or hoteliers,” Mr Harshana said. >> Top: Tour guides in the east were trained on areas relevant to local tourism. The Community-Based Tourism Centre will include a meeting room and training centre which will be available for the many local >> Middle: The Community Based Eco- Guides Association will develop community based organisations who do not have a space to hold itineraries for tours in Arugam Bay. meetings or training sessions. The centre will provide training >> Bottom: Construction of a storage programs developed and funded by Sewalanka and ICEI for guides and tank has begun in Windicorner Village local communities involved in tourism. as part of the second Community Water Supply and Sanitation Project. For further information email [email protected]

14 Improving water and sanitation in the hills

"To ensure our basic needs, we all need 20 to 50 litres of water free from harmful contaminants every day. A child born in the developed world consumes 30 to 50 times as much water as one in the developing world. The state of human health is inextricably linked to a range of water-related conditions: safe drinking water, adequate sanitation, minimised burden of water-related disease and healthy freshwater ecosystems. Urgent improvements in the ways in which water use and sanitation are managed are needed to improve progress towards meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) related to human health."

United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation

As part of a World Bank and Government of Sri Lanka gravity water schemes which involves direct water from initiative, Sewalanka is working towards improving water high level water schemes. They are also building toilets and sanitation in the hill country of Sri Lanka by and rainwater harvest tanks. participating in the second Community Water Supply and Sanitation Project. “The project is progressing well and is on track to be completed by June 2007,” he said. The project is improving the living conditions of rural populations in selected central areas of Sri Lanka by Sewalanka District Director for , Ms increasing access to portable water from water supply Sivapackiyam said that the Second Community Water systems, which the community will own, operate and Supply and Sanitation Project adds to the great success maintain. The project aims to improve hygiene, sanitation of the first stage of the project in which 12 other villages in and water-related practices and will also strengthen Nuwara Eliya and Ambugamuwa were supported by communities by giving them ownership of the venture. Sewalanka to develop important water related infrastructure. Through community based organistions (CBOs), villages are being empowered to become primarily responsible for “The project provides basic needs. Without water you the construction of water supply and sanitation facilities, cannot do anything. Drinking water and the provision of as well as their operation and maintenance. quality sanitation facilities and awareness is so important for these communities,” she said. Sewalanka has been engaged by provincial councils in Nuwara Eliya and Ambagamuwa and is responsible for Email [email protected] for more information implementing the program by providing technical support, management and guidance to CBOs. To do this, Sewalanka staff identified six villages in Nuwara Eliya town and six in Ambagamuwa for participation in the project and assisted them with community mobilisation and project planning.

Mr Premalal Fernando, Director of Rural Technology at Sewalanka said that through CBOs, community members are being mobilised to build and develop their own village water and sanitisation projects.

“The project commenced in September 2005 and is now well underway. Engineering designs and procurements have been finalised and construction in all 12 villages has commenced. ” Mr Fernando said.

“Communities are now working hard to physically construct water pumping schemes, to lay water pipes and

15 News, events and training

Organic Farming Group update

Sewalanka’s organic farming group recently trained farmers and Sewalanka officers on integrated pest management and organic tea cultivation.

The programs, attended by participants from across the country, were run as ‘train the trainer’ style sessions and aimed to teach farmers and staff skills they could take back and teach to their communities for implementation.

‘Integrated Pest Management for Rice’ was conducted at Sewalanka’s Islander Centre in – a training centre for young Sri Lankans from all ethnic backgrounds and religions. Conducted by representatives from the Department of Agriculture, the two-day program was attended by farmers and Sewalanka staff members. The second part of this program, soon to be conducted, will involve training of integrated pest management techniques for different fruit, vegetable and plantation crops.

A second training session, on organic tea cultivation, was conducted by senior research officers from the Tea Research Institute at the Centre in Talawekelle in the Nuwara Eliya District. Four Sewalanka officers were provided with basic training on various tea cultivation techniques. Stage two of this program will involve these trained staff members taking their newly acquired skills back to local farmers.

For further information email [email protected]

First 'Solid House' opened

A model dome-shaped house was recently opened to the Pottuvil community as part of the Solid House Foundation Lanka project.

The permanent housing initiative for tsunami affected families will see construction of approximately 100 dome shaped houses designed to be more resilient to natural disasters.

The ceremonial event included temple prayers, ribbon cutting, candle lighting and speeches, and was attended by community members, government representatives, Sewalanka Foundation staff members, Solid House Foundation Lanka board members and representatives from the Red Cross Netherlands.

A representative from Solid House Foundation, Mr Aart van Ommen said >> Top: A training session on organic farming at Sewalanka's Islander Centre. community members were extremely enthusiastic about their model house. "In general, people entering the dome were surprised by the >> Middle: The first 'Solid House' was recently launched to the Pottuvil coolness of the building. After seeing the model, beneficiaries were eager community. and excited to have the houses constructed on their own lots,” he said.

>> Bottom: The 2006 Women of Sri Lanka calendar raised over Rs.250,000. By the end of the year it is expected that eight houses and the foundations for an additional 20 will be constructed, with the remaining work to be carried out in 2007.

16 Experience sharing India visit Calendar to celebrate women of Sri Lanka

Keeranur, Trichy in India provided an ideal location for an Featuring stunning photography, Women of Sri interactive workshop on organic farming practices for Lanka 2007 presents a snapshot of the lives of Sri Sewalanka Foundation representatives from across Sri Lankan women. Lanka and from the Islander Centre. Sewalanka Foundation is once again producing the The two weeks of training took place at Kudumbam annual Women of Sri Lanka Calendar, a fundraising organic farm where agriculture staff and volunteers initiative with proceeds going directly to projects that participated in farmers’ field school training. enhance and improve the condition of women.

Regional Field Director for the North, Mr First produced in 2004, Women of Sri Lanka is a Thanabalasundaram Thamilalagan attend the last three celebration of Sri Lanka’s women and their diversity and a days of this training as an observer and said the trip to snapshot into their lives as business women, workers, India was extremely beneficial. friends, mothers and wives. The focus of the publication is women – seen in the diversity of their roles and “The unique environment under which the farm flourished environments within Sri Lanka. made an interesting location for our staff members to learn first hand a variety of organic farming techniques,” The calendar provides uplifting, positive and beautiful Mr Thamilalagan said. images and has the dual purpose of facilitating greater understanding of the challenges faced by women in Sri "The model farm visited was a semi arid land – the need Lanka as well as recognising the beauty of Sri Lanka and for water in Keeranur is particularly high. Sri Lankan women.

“I was fascinated by how green and well maintained the The stunning pictures have been taken by some of Sri farm was considering the extreme weather conditions of Lanka’s most esteemed photographers. the area. The 2006 calendar raised over Rs.250,000. “Kudumbam provides a prime example of how organic farms can flourish. Workers at the model farm have Working to assist Sri Lankan women and girls in applied the techniques practiced at Kudumbam to their improving their social and economic status, Sewalanka own personal farms with great success. Foundation continues to identify and implement targeted programs throughout the country. “Sewalanka staff members who attended eagerly participated in the training and were particularly interested Calendars cost Rs 500 each and can be purchased in learning how organic farming could be introduced to from November at leading bookshops around Sri their local districts in Sri Lanka. Lanka. For further information, contact Ms Jodi Rockman via email at [email protected] "Trainees were divided into small groups and prepared three year work plans for application in their own districts,” he said.

17 News, events and training

Religious leaders unite for peace

Forty participants, including religious leaders representing Sri Lanka’s four main faiths, were recently brought together by Sewalanka Foundation to discuss issues of peace and reconciliation.

Leaders from Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, and Muslim communities, mainly from the north and north east of Sri Lanka, attended the inter- religious one day workshop in .

The community leaders discussed actions that could be taken at a community level and steps that may influence opinion leaders and the media to advocate for peace.

Sewalanka Peace and Reconciliation Project Assistant Mr Naushad Ahamed said a number of positive outcomes were achieved, many of which focused on communications between individuals from different faiths, working together and socialising together.

“The main themes which arose from the workshop were the need to create understanding and coexistence between communities. Understanding leads to respect and peace,” Mr Ahamed said.

Sewalanka is coordinating a meeting with government and the LTTE administration for the committee to present these outcomes.

Smaller subcommittees comprising 10 leaders from the four religions, were formed to meet regularly in the different regions to advocate peace in local Sri Lankan communities.

Leaders were selected for the workshop by Sewalanka district officers based on their engagement with their local communities and their ability to implement and communicate peace initiatives at a local level.

“Our workshop forms part of Sewalanka’s peace building strategy which comprises a range of both community and national programs,” Mr Ahamed said.

“The national part of the program focuses on regional and national level opinion leaders from religious institutions, trade unions, student movements, NGOs, political parties and the media. In order to effectively engage in development activities throughout Sri Lanka, >> Top: Community leaders attend a Sewalanka is working to cultivate relationships and engage in dialogue Sewalanka workshop to discuss issues of peace and reconciliation. with these opinion leaders,” he said.

>> Middle: Volunteer Wendy van den For further information contact Mr Naushad Ahamed via email Beld. at [email protected] >> Bottom: Volunteer Simon Wall

18 Volunteers @ Sewalanka

Getting to know Introducing our new international volunteers Wendy van den Beld Regional Consultant – East Jodi Rockman, Communications Advisor Originally from… Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Jodi comes to Sewalanka from Melbourne, Australia where she worked as a Communications Coordinator for Base in Sri Lanka… Monash University. As the Communications Advisor for I’m located in Ampara however I also work in Batticaloa. the organisation, Jodi will work to enhance both the external and internal communications of the organisation. Length of time at Sewalanka… Her main responsibilities include the production of this Eighteen months so far. quarterly newsletter and the organisations annual report, as well as maintaining the Sewalanka website. Life before Sri Lanka… Pre Sri Lanka I was employed by ABN AMRO Bank for Simon Wall, Program Advisor – Southern Region five years as their Business Support Manager. My main responsibilities included international projects such as Simon comes to Sewalanka from Sydney, Australia on the communications, planning and international transfers. I AusAid funded Australian Youth Ambassadors for was also involved in restructuring the international Development program. Simon will be working in the South compliance department. Before embarking on my career I to build capacity, improve social mobalisation and to work studied sociology in Groningen (the Paris of the North!). on various project proposals. Simon completed his Masters in International Studies at Sydney University, Your path to Sewalanka…. before which he spent four years traveling, volunteering At university I studied non-western sociology and as a and working on development projects in Southern Africa, part of my degree I spent four months in Ghana. South America and Asia. While in Sri Lanka, Simon aims Strangely, I somehow ended up working for a bank – to learn more about development in a South Asian context which provided me with some fabulous opportunities and and to assist Sewalanka to strengthen staff capacity. learning experiences but was not really related to my studies. After five years at ABN AMRO, I decided to Anniken Henriksen, Intern change my career direction and to utilise the knowledge Anniken Henriksen from Norway joins Sewalanka for a gained throughout my studies. I applied to VSO, a British period of six months. Anniken’s educational background volunteering organisation and was offered two is in development, human geography and politics. She opportunities in Sri Lanka: one in Trincomalee and the recently completed a four year undergraduate degree and other with Sewalanka in Ampara. I choose Sewalanka and is eager to see how a non-government organisation as they say ‘the rest is ancient history’. operates and put the theories she has learnt into practice. Your role at Sewalanaka… As a masters student, she will be working on a variety of My aim has been to build the capacity of staff in Ampara special projects. and Batticaloa. I want to help enhance Sewalanka’s Beth Upton, English Language Advisor Eastern regional office and strengthen our district offices. We need to maintain good relationships with donors and Beth will be working to improve the English language create new opportunities to ensure future sustainability. skills of Sewalanka staff by preparing an English course specifically for the organisation. She joins Sewalanka with Achieving your goals… four years experience designing, implementing and I’m trying to build capacity by working with my colleagues teaching English curriculums. She has worked around the on project proposals and progress reports, as well as globe in Europe, Africa and Central America. Originally monitoring and evaluation. In doing so we learn from each from London, UK, Beth has an undergraduate degree in other, share experiences and have fun in the process! It is Economics from Cambridge University. all very practical and includes on the job training as well as more formal forms of training when it is required.

Reflections on your experience so far… I have learned so much from my colleagues and am inspired by their enthusiasm, honesty and will to win! 19 Important announcement

As part of our ongoing restructuring process, we have established a new email system for Sewalanka staff.

Our general email address is now [email protected] Please send all future correspondence to this account. Our previous address ([email protected]) is now inactive.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Chairman Harsha Kumara Navaratne ----- [email protected] Finance Division [email protected] Vice Chairman V Revathan [email protected] Human Resources Division [email protected] Special Projects Director Lakshi Abeyesekera ---- [email protected] Administration [email protected] Special Projects Director Tapan Barman [email protected] Communications [email protected] Special Projects Deputy Director Annet Royce ---- [email protected] Islander Center [email protected] External Affairs Director Udeni Dias [email protected] Integrated Food Security Project [email protected] Senior Program Consultant Mahinda de Silva --- [email protected]

Program Director Kaushalya Navaratne [email protected] District Offices Program Director Amanda Kiessel [email protected] Research and Learning Director N Newton [email protected] Ampara [email protected] Program Advisor MIM Iqbal [email protected] Anuradhapura [email protected] Program Advisor Steve Francone [email protected] [email protected] Program Advisor Kumara [email protected] Galle [email protected] Hambantota [email protected] North 1 Field Director T Thamilalagan [email protected] Jaffna [email protected] North 2 Field Director S Thavamohan [email protected] [email protected] East Field Director Deepal Chandrathilake [email protected] [email protected] South Field Director Ajith Tennakoon [email protected] Kilinochi [email protected] Central Regional Coordinator Lal Fernando [email protected] [email protected] Mannar [email protected] Sustainable agriculture team [email protected] Matara [email protected] Sustainable fisheries team [email protected] Monaragala [email protected] Sustainable tourism team [email protected] Nuwara Eliya [email protected] Handicraft development team [email protected] [email protected] Gender team [email protected] Trincomalee [email protected] Psychosocial team [email protected] Vavuniya [email protected] Environment team [email protected] Peace and reconciliation team [email protected]

Contact Us Sewalanka Newsletter SEWALANKA FOUNDATION Sewalanka Foundation’s newsletter is produced Post Box No. 03 , Boralesgamuwa quarterly. To subscribe by post or email, or to send P: +94 (0)11 2545 362-5 comments regarding the newsletter, contact the F: +94 (0)11 2545 166 Sewalanka Communication Unit at the address E: [email protected] provided or [email protected] w: www.sewalanka.org