Sri Lankan Help: Projects

February 01, 2005

Projects

Construction:
We started work on 2 houses in Periya Uppodai, a village near the lagoon just outside of Batti. The entire team was out clearing the lots and were glad to encounter only a scorpion and rat. The owner and his family were also helping.

We purchased the materials, which will be delivered by the most efficient method available -- ox cart -- within an hour we are told, but that may be Sri Lankan time, which is a bit fluid. The lumber, roof tiles (clay), bricks, sand, mortar, tools, and other materials for the 2 houses all cost less than $500. We estimate that the labor (masons, carpenters, and other artisans and laborers) will be around $300-500.

These 2 houses are only partly damaged – brick walls blown out, parts of the roof damaged, and entire adjoining structures destroyed. We estimate that rebuilding homes that are significantly more damaged will cost between $1,000-2,000. The benefits of getting the people out of the camp (where students were supposed to start school last Monday, but could not because all the rooms were occupied) and back into their homes will be substantial. The 2 houses we’re working on have 4 families and a total of 14 people living in them.

Last night, we went to the camp and met with the residents to explain our system. Nine more houses were added to our list, and we will go view them today. Many people are still frightened about returning, both out of fear of a new tsunami (which was not helped by a false report last week) and because of the horrendous experience of death and destruction that they all lived through.

Camps:
We still take breaks from the construction work and visit some of the area camps, especially the ones that we have already visited. We are warmly received that old friends by the adults and especially the children who remember our names and the games that we played with them.

We calculated that we have played and loved on more than 1,000 children around the country since we have been here. But somehow each camp and each child takes on a separate part of our memories.

It is amazing how far our money can go in purchasing items for these camps. The mosquito nets for babies cost around a $1 and the balls and bats are less than $3. Sandals, which many of the children lack, are 50 cents. A set of drawing books and pastels are less than $1. Cindy has been tracking the inventory and the specific needs of the various camps and communities.

Nursing team:
Our 2 nurses, Michelle and Emily, not only play with the children, but have also been evaluating some of the people at the camps, particularly the children whose cuts don’t seem to heal well under the conditions that they live in. Emily has been purchasing many supplies, including formula and diapers for the children. She also had to admit a child to a hospital on Sunday night because the baby was having difficulty breathing. The mothers seem to have great confidence in the nurses. Michelle has also been checking the blood pressure for some of the women, especially new mothers.

Posted by at February 1, 2005 08:53 PM

Comments

Jack:

I had no idea, until I got Maria's email, that you were out in Sri Lanka doing this great work, living what the rest of us have only read in the newspapers. But I was not surprised. This is the "pure religion and undefiled" you read about in James 1:27. Years ago as a folk dancer I met a group from Sri Lanka and they impressed me as wonderful people. Thanks for your great example and touching stories. We're praying for you and your team. Bryce and Tammy Bassett

Posted by: Bryce Bassett at February 2, 2005 12:21 PM

Jack,
I am so very proud to be your niece. You and your team are engaged in a very important humanitarian endeavor. These stories that have been posted are very moving, and I couldn't help but cry. May God continue to bless you in your charitable service, may He guide and protect you throughout your stay in Sri Lanka.

Love,
Gigi

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