Operating a ‘cash for work’ system in both villages was a great success and offered many locals who had lost their livelihoods the opportunity to earn an income while clearing away the predominant mass of physical devastation left from the tsunami. We have now finished the initial stage of clearing with fantastic results. Most areas are uncovered and piled tidily allowing clear pathways throughout with land freed of rubble.
Having to finish the ‘clearers’ unfortunately means that there’s no work for them and thus a lack of income, but we are continually looking for further projects where their labour can be utilised. There is now a lot to accomplish in the way of reconstruction. Most of the houses in Talalla Central were lost and the small community, amounting to 47 people, lives tightly in a make-shift camp, their former homes vanished. In spite of this their spirits are amazingly high and never seem downtrodden, such remarkable displays of courage. In Talalla South many houses were damaged beyond repair while others were less affected, this means up to three families can be residing mutually, 12-13 people co-habiting in broken accommodation.
The beach has been freed of debris, broken trees and rubble, it’s former beauty almost restored. People are now frequenting the beach happily while they wait for early morning ‘catches’ from the few fishermen who, as yet, have returned to work. It’s encouraging to see that their fears are lessening as they enjoy simple pleasures such as leisurely strolls along the shore with their families.
The panorama is now unrestricted along one side of the bay. A piece of land, where once stood a family's home, has been smoothed and trimmed of the rubble that remained. Sadly this now removes what was left of Ratu’s house and the memory of his home, wife and two small children, their lives were also taken with the building. He often sits alone on a small, white, plastic chair, a lingering possession of his former household, and gazes pensively towards the ocean. His thoughts are his own and it’s difficult to imagine the depth to where his sorrow leads. Ratu must look towards his future and that of his two remaining sons, he does so with an admirable quality and as far as we can help him we will. Next week should see his boat and livelihood returned so he can begin to work again, at his own pace, with the rest of the fishermen from the bay.
There is still a long way to go before restoration is complete and many projects are due to begin. What we have seen is a general rising of spirits developing from the examples we set. People are taking their own responsibilities further and working enthusiastically with their resources and exceptional courage to re-establish lost elements of their lives.
And so a chapter closes on sweet Talalla Bay, its narrative thread pulling a small step closer towards its end.
