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This project was by far the most exhausting, time consuming and challenging of projects, however this was certainly out weighed by its' impact on the communities and individuals it served. This project has proved to be extremely worthwhile.
A great amount of time was spent determining who was deserving of assistance. In the course of our investigations we discovered that this type of aid relief can bring out the worst in some people.
ASL has reluctantly finished our Livelihood Regeneration project for individual applicants after assisting over 1000 people to get back on their feet. Seed money was given to individuals and families to restart their businesses and in some cases to begin new ones. A wide ranch of applicants included spice grinders to fish sellers, dance troupes to weavers, divers to printers, We restocked shops and market stalls, replaced sewing, lace and rope making machines to those fated individuals who had lost their ability to make a living after the tsunami.
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Two Pictorial examples of the 2005 Livelihood project
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| Coconut Coir rope making machine |
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Building local vegetable market, ready for opening. |
Two Pictorial examples of the 2005 Livelihood project
Palena Livelihoods
Palena West is a sub-district of Weligama in the Matara district. The objective of this project was to identify small business owners who were still in need of assistance to re-start their business post-tsunami. We were also keen to identify businesses that were still functioning at levels much below pre-tsunami and which would be able to employ more workers with the addition of some extra capital stock. We identified 19 appropriate cases and assistance of between $80 and $600 was provided. Some individual cases and a summary are listed below.
Individual stories
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R.Abeywickrama: His tuk-tuk repair garage was fully destroyed in the tsunami. Some tools were salvageable but all electrical equipment was ruined.
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We provided a welding plant, hand drill and grinder that allowed him to conduct more major repairs and re-employ 2 workers.
Total cost$200
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Name
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Employment |
Action |
Cost |
| 1. |
S.P.P.Gunawathie |
Sweet bites |
Small Oven |
$53 |
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Beater |
$24 |
| 2. |
H.G.Sarath Karunathilaka |
Brake Parts |
Oxy burner plant |
$300 |
| 3. |
R.Abeywickrama |
3 Wheel Repair |
Welding plant,160A |
$118 |
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Hand grinder + hand drill |
$91 |
| 4. |
M.A.Susantha |
Metal workshop |
Welding plant + lathe chuck
& other parts for lathe |
$432 |
| 5. |
W.W.W.A.Premadasa |
Batik Maker |
Overlock machine |
$62 |
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Button hole machine |
$20 |
| 6. |
W.M.Athula |
Shoemaker |
Sewing machine for leather |
$200 |
| 7. |
P.G.Chamith Nilontha |
Shoemaker |
Shoe making materials |
$200 |
| 8. |
M.A.Janaka Pradeep Kumara |
Shoemaker |
Kids block set |
$117 |
| 9. |
W.W.A.Karunatilake |
Shoemaker |
Shoe making materials |
$211 |
| 10. |
M.W.Rathnasiri |
Carpenter |
Router Machine |
$115 |
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Jig Saw |
$78 |
| 11. |
H.L.Janawathi |
Rice Mill |
Repair motors |
$199 |
| 12. |
K.A.Vishaka Roshani |
Shopkeeper |
Showcase |
$85 |
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Stock |
$100 |
| 13. |
M.Kusumalatha |
Shopkeeper |
Showcase |
$85 |
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Stock |
$40 |
| 14. |
K.A.Manoja |
Shopkeeper |
Scale |
$26 |
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Showcase |
$85 |
| 15. |
A.J.K.A.Hemachandra |
Shopkeeper |
Stock |
$193 |
| 16. |
Buddika |
Shoemaker |
Sewing machine |
$125 |
| 17. |
W.S.M.Chintaka |
Tea Shop |
2 tables |
$38 |
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8 chairs |
$40 |
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1* 3 ring burner |
$27 |
| 18. |
H.B.Nihal |
Batik maker |
5 pieces white material |
$85 |
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TOTAL |
$3,146 |
“Some more examples of our projects from 2005 in the Palena West Area of Weligama”
Since initiating our work for widows programme we have helped hundreds of individuals to regain their livelihoods, from spice grinders, to fish sellers, to dance troupes, to weavers, to divers. Please see below just some of the people that your donations have helped.
In 2006
In 2006 we concentrated on specific projects and worked closely with the tourist industry to try to generate new jobs and to revive old industries such as the lace making industry in Galle and Weligama. Our coastal plant reforestation programme has resulted in creating many new nurseries, providing new prospects for those previously unemployed (see Turtle Conservation) and we also invested in the local batik making industry at Kosgoda as a means to create a new business opportunity and provide employment for the wives of the turtle nest protectors.
Our 2006 Livelihood programme financed a new lace making business in Galle for 30 women who are now producing fine quality silk lace for the British Film and Fashion Market in the UK. Our aim for this project was to provide the seed money for 6 months to give the women a kick start, there after they have been responsible for all costs.
The project benefited from professional designers and promotion in the UK. The Founder of AdoptSriLanka Geoffrey Dobbs worked on behalf of the Sri Lankan Government in the UK to launch the product in time for Ladies Day at Ascot as part of a drive to promote what is good about Sri Lanka. (See pictures below)
Our batik making programme was initially slow out of the blocks but after some encouragement from ASL for them to produce a better quality material aimed at the higher end of the tourist market they enjoyed more success. We had three specific designs by Heather Coulson that we encouraged them to produce and also coached them in marketing skills to achieve higher profit margins & to strengthen their unique business.
LACE MAKERS |
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Above our highly skilled Lace makers |
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On the set of the BBC remake of Jane Eyre actress Christina Cole wears our Sri Lankan lace (Screened in Autumn 2006) |
