A Humble Beginning

Planning to reconstruct is daunting, especially when the finished picture seems so far removed. It’s through moments like these shown that make all our efforts worthwhile. Giving back to the people, small tokens of what was lost, is amazing and to be able to meet their faces, smiles and extreme gratitude reconfirms how much of a difference we are making.



Distributing aid directly to the people in their homes, even at a basic level, has caused some problems. It’s so easy to jump in feet first when the agenda is to give and then to give more, and what might seem an effortless task in theory suddenly becomes a mission, firstly in deciding exactly who to give to.







We visited houses to see how many people were sleeping without mattresses, which also revealed the extent of families ‘doubling up’. In some cases up to 13 people reside together in half sheltered accommodation.





Forty mattresses were handed to households in both villages, an exciting event that encouraged a local following in procession behind the delivery van, although this too caused some discomfort in the village. We were providing for the families that needed mattresses immediately and so there were subsequent feelings of upset and jealousy for those who didn't receive. We have now assured that each family will receive a mattress over the next week.





Gas cookers were distributed to a few of the poorer families living in houses with extensive damage and who have no direct income. The ladies were grateful, an escape from cooking over their makeshift fires in the over-bearing midday heat. Although there are still some families who need stoves many people in the village happily cook the old fashioned way with cooking pots over fire, this, it seems, is perfectly adequate providing there is suitable shade.



School children throughout Sri Lanka are always dressed immaculately in starched white or white and blue, uniform is regarded highly.



Consequently there is a minimum required for children to be able to attend, this includes material; white or black shoes and socks; books; pens; bags; mathematical equipment; water bottles and umbrellas, which are a comfortable necessity in the afternoon heat. Schools have been lenient since the tsunami but parents are still desperate to provide their children with the materials.





We have already supplied Talalla Central, the smaller village, with most of these items and have just finished documenting the names, ages and size of all the children in Talalla, so that we can distribute to them at the end of the week. The drawn out pace of daily life in Sri Lanka is exaggerated further in this remote village and its surrounding towns and so purchasing items for only 13 students took some time. After a long day the mission was accomplished and we reaped the rewards by giving back to eager young faces, their uncontained excitement so moving.

Back on the Water

At the brink of dawn in Talalla South, before the sun formally rises, a faint shadow stretches across the bay through dignified palms disguising much of the destruction that was caused. This is the magic of Sri Lanka in its former glory and a scene difficult to rival.



At this time too, while most of the village is stirring, two fishing boats can be seen across the hazy skyline. Men returning from their morning’s work, at sunrise. Although only two boats in the village were salvaged from the wreckage the scenes demonstrate a new hope rising over Talalla.











Friends stay on shore, waiting to view the morning’s catch. Padmalal and Saman use local boats and were the first to courageously venture back onto the water, many others, after six weeks, are still too afraid. This is a community torn apart but pulling together in spirit, making the most of the resources that they have to be able to fish and supply for their families.





An official count tells us that 145 heads of households in Talalla South are in the fishing trade. Men can be seen sitting around on broken boats still scattered closely to the beach, their broken lives ripped apart. Despite the small steps already taken there is still so much to achieve.





Getting people back on the water is a primary objective. An interviewing process was conducted to ascertain how many boats, nets and engines were lost in the village. They are expensive to replace and our budget allowed 12, many of the fishermen work in partnerships and this covers all of the boats in Talalla South. We hope to replace those from the surrounding areas for the people who also use Talalla beach as their fishing port.







The boats and engines have been ordered and will hopefully arrive soon, but movement in Sri Lanka is slow, a way of life even after disaster, which can frustrate our western sensibilities. But any pace means that progress is made and with each new sunrise arrives a fresh hope for Talalla.

Still Clearing & Making a New Start

We have sourced a new village to begin clearing known as Talalla Central. The initial work in Talalla continues but is almost complete.



There is a lot still to clear around the circumference of the beach and the team we have placed there are moving quickly. Until now many locals have been afraid to go near the water but it’s encouraging to see that they're beginning to return. Their confidence grows, and the former beauty of the bay will soon be restored. Damaged boats and matter cast from the wave lie scattered, but step-by-step all should soon be cleared.



Talalla Central is still entirely devastated, they haven’t yet received any aid. The village is smaller and more manageable as only 47 people reside and the locals are so grateful to receive our help. They have started work with fresh enthusiasm and positivity.





As there are three teams now to supervise much organization is required. Our trusty translator Ratner sets objectives each morning and the team listens on intently.

Personal Stories

The ladies in our clearing team are applying extraordinary efforts. They work hard all day but with a sense of pride and determination when considering what has already achieved. The village has almost been cleared throughout and we have started to attend to areas surrounding the beach. Days are long and can be exhausting but the team pulls together and hardship is relieved through songs and companionship, offering a wonderful sense of light relief to each long day. Morning ‘tea time’ breaks are always well received.




We have started to visit some of the houses in the village to try and gauge an understanding of what they have been through and lost. This of course was extremely harrowing and brought home the severe reality of everything that occurred. Somawathi Edirisinghe spends much of her time locked away. The wave hit her house from an angle that ripped through the kitchen and although the remainder is standing well she has lost all electrical power and lives in darkness as there is little light reflecting through her boarded windows. Sadness is eminent in her face entirely and through her eyes you see the very weariness of her whole being. Despite losing her baby, which is the immediate grief she suffers, at 56 years old there is little way for her to support herself or to find support when she is older. Tradition dictates that children usually look after their elderly parents in later life. We hope to find Somawathi a job that she will enjoy both as a source of income and something to occupy her time and that might eventually lift her out of her present reality and the darkness reflecting what her world has become.



Komeighan (Kome) Edirasinghe’s father is pictured in his kitchen, which was ripped apart. Water level stains were marked inches above my head and according to Kome the house and possessions were submerged for approximately four hours. Although, thankfully, the six members of his own family survived, tragically a young child from a neighbouring house was swept through with the kitchen wall and died in an adjoining room.





Alongside the traumas there is a reaffirmed sense of hope and the locals are genuinely grateful and assured with what we are doing, especially as work is moving quickly. There are so many characters to be found residing here both young and old and their gentle intriguing natures make for a diverse and colourful village.







These machines pictured below have been part of Talalla's industry now for 25 years. We have ordered enough to equip the entire district with those that were lost.

Getting to know Talalla

Forming relationships with the locals has been such a rewarding experience, the boundary of local to outsider was easy to bridge through their receptiveness. Despite everything there is such an air of positivity in the village. Movement is happening all around and the people, who truly are so warm, make everything much easier for us.





Significant progress had been made, and it was pleasing to see unhindered areas and pathways being formed. Yesterday morning seemed hopeless but, in fact, with everyone pulling together we can definitely achieve. Most of the people work quickly and passionately and moral has been lifted already, it helps for them to see that we are very willing to get our own hands dirty.





We distributed a few schoolbooks and pens to the mothers on our working team. It’s saddening to learn that many children cannot go to school without pens and books, and, of course, these items are not entirely robust enough to survive a few hours submerged in water. Certainly an area to focus on once we are more familiar.





A working boat was finally lifted and launched back onto the water today, a symbol of hope and progress for the village. This was perhaps the only boat saved from what was once a thriving fishing village.