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.
