Location:
Galle, Induruwa, Alugama and Maggona
Sri Lanka
Type of project:
Care, rehabilitation
Project duration:
Since December 2004
Local project manager:
Chamila Livera (10 employees, including 80% nationals)
Project partners:
USAid, Geneva Global Inc. UNOCHA, Swiss Embassy, Consortium of Humanitarian Organisations (CHA), AMURT (Int.)
Project description:
A small team assisted 200 families with food, clothing and household utensils.
After providing initial relief, LIFE FOR ALL implemented a construction project and built temporary housing for 105 families. The organisation was awarded the title of best aid organisation by the government and received a certificate of recognition.
Many tsunami victims were fortunate in that their homes were not destroyed. However, many of them had their livelihoods ruined when the markets and infrastructure collapsed. Many women lost their husbands or fathers and were no longer able to support themselves.
Our reconstruction programme offers women a 2-week training programme. In the first week they learn basic management skills such as bookkeeping, investing and saving. In the second week they receive practical training in a chosen trade, mostly one that they already know and can build on. We teach the women skills such as crocheting, sewing, tailoring, embroidery and lace making.
At the end of this training course the women receive the tools they need (e.g. sewing machines etc.) and materials. This enables them to start making a living immediately.
In the last 2 years we have assisted 1,044 women through this programme; 835 (80%) of them are already earning enough to finance their families’ basic needs: food, accommodation, medicine and education for their children.
LIFE FOR ALL was present in Sri Lanka on 28 December 2004, only 2 days after the tsunami flood disaster.