Returning Other Livelihoods Lost

Livelihoods lost in the tsunami go beyond the fisher folk. From tailors to coir makers, tree fellers to fish sellers and technicians to electricians, these are just a few of the industries affected which we have since endeavoured to restore.
As well as giving back what was lost and destroyed, returning tools and equipment helps the locals take their minds away from the living conditions they are now forced into as they busily work, starting their businesses from scratch.
Some women of Talalla, displaced and living in refugee camps, are nursing new born babies. They can hopefully feel assured and see some positive light ahead as we try and do what we can to get their family life back on track, offering whatever security there may be left.
Jess Brown

Fishing Livelihoods

Restoring those livelihoods lost in the tsunami has been by far one of the most rewarding jobs as well as the most promising for the future. Being primarily a fishing village, replacing what the local fishermen lost has been a huge hurdle. The majority lost there boats, engines and nets and ropes in the tradgedy leaving them with little hope for an income and the futures' of their families. With no prior experience in fishing i learnt in the deep end about net sizes, boat types amongst much else and have since been named the fishing madame of Talalla, i now have great new found knowledge of an industry previously a complete mystery to me.
With the arrival of the first boats we saw the whole community on the beach for the first time, giving buddha's blessing to the new boats and setting them out to the ocean which months ago stole so much. I feel the bravery of the men setting back out on the water is truelly amazing and heart felt and with the arrival of their new nets and ropes coming next, it is wonderful seeing them busily getting back to there old lifestyles and survival skills. Sadly this is still in the confines of their temporary, but possibly more permanent, living conditions. With new laws inplied, building in a hundred metres of the shoreline has been stopped and is of course causing some real concern and desperation for the majority of the fishermen whose lives revolve around and are based on the coast line.
Another problem which has arised for the men is the huge amount of debris they have found, mainly coconut trees, in the ocean making it extremely hard for them to use their new nets and thus fish. We have started trying to remove the trees which can now be seen on the water's edge but much hard work still lies ahead.
The bravery and positivity in the village is so inspiring and constantly leaves me speechless. Few words can describe how the people here make me feel and i am completely blown away by their abilities to look to the future however foggy and unsure.
Talalla and the people will always be so special to me and i wouldnt be anywhere else in the world right now.
Jess Brown