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This project was by far the most exhausting, time consuming and challenging but all of that was out weighed by its' impact and it did prove to be very worthwhile. A great amount of time was needed to determine who was deserving and in the course of the investigations we discovered that this type of aid relief can bring out the worst in people.
ASL has reluctantly finished our Livelihood Regeneration project for individual applicants after assisting over 1000 people to get back on their feet with seed money to restart their businesses and in some cases to begin new businesses. From spice grinders to fish sellers, to dance troupes, to weavers, to divers, to printers, We restocked shops and market stalls, replaced sewing, lace and rope making machines to those poor souls that 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. |
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 and also to find businesses that were still functioning at levels much below pre-tsunami 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 will allow 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.
2006 Objectives
Now we are concentrating on specific projects and working 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 have 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 all new 2006 Livelihood programme is financing a new lace making business in Galle for 30 women who are producing fine quality silk lace for the British Film and Fashion Market in the UK. Our aim for this project is to provide the seed money for 6 months to give the women a kick start, there after they will be responsible for all costs.
The project benefits from proffesional designers and promotion in the UK. The Founder of Adoptsrilanka Geoffrey Dobbs is working on behalf of the Sri Lankan Government in the UK to launch the product in time for Ladies Day at Ascott as part of a drive to promote what is good about SL.. (see pictures below)
Our batik making programme has been slow out of the blocks but recently ASL has helped to encourage the production of a better quality of material that is aimed at the higher end of the tourist market. We have three specific designs by Heather Coulson that we are encouraging them to produce and are coaching 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 (to be screened in the Autumn) |
