Arabella's Diary
Wednesday 9 March 2005
When we wake we realise what a fantastic position this guest house is in - we are right on the edge of a lake which is a bird reserve and bang opposite us is an island with many, many different types of birds - I can only name the ibis and the pelicans, not being an ornithologist - but it is truly impressive. If we were in holiday mood or holiday mode here and not working, we could have a fantastic time here - not only are we surrounded by birds but we are on the outskirts of a huge national nature reserve where one can see elephants and leopards. We vow to return another time, and drive the few kilometres back to the south coast to a town called Kirinda, where there was a lot of damage caused by the Tsunami. We visit the Nidangala Wella Camp where about 34 families are living in tents on the top of a small hill. This is the nicest camp we have seen so far - because of being on a hill, there is a cooling breeze, and there is proper communal space and shady areas.
The children and their parents really love the Clown's show, which takes place in the communal tent, and they invite us to have a cup of tea with them afterwards. We are now in the dry zone, and so the monsoon when it arrives here will be far less intense. Although they lost everything, these families are reasonably comfortable, and they have the additional comfort of knowing that 34 houses are being built for them just down the hill - these should all be ready within the next 3 months, so their most immediate need is being addressed. They have other problems though - there is only one fishing boat remaining among the 17 fishermen, so creating any income is impossible. (It's very strange - EVERY family in the Tsuanmi affected areas is given 5.000 rupees each month (about 25 pounds), regardless of how much or how little they lost. Granted that every family should be given that in the first month or two, to assist with the clear-up, and purchase replacement items, then, surely the money should go to those who actually completely lost all their housing and possessions. You can clearly see that some homes survived really well, and that others were devastated and completely destroyed. The Government and the NGO's really need to be applying the money where it is needed, and they need to be applying it faster.)
We then visited a Muslim camp where 100 families were being accommodated in temporary wooden huts, but in a nice open area with shady trees and communal space. We didn't do a show or games here as it was just before 4.00 p.m. and that is the time when they start their daily reading the Koran. But they were very friendly and we hope to return.
We then drove to the Buddhist temple at Kirinda and climbed up the steps in the rock to the top where there is a big stupa. It is really beautiful with magnificent views. More than 100 died here on 26 December. The lady we bought tea off told us all about it - people were shouting and screaming and running back towards the village - she and her daughter nearly did the same, but instead decided to climb the rocky approach to the temple, and this saved their lives. It was a full-moon Buddhist celebration day and if the Tsunami had come later in the day there would have been many more deaths as the stalls behind the temple would have been very crowded.
Back to Tissa, where we meet up with Mohan's sister and her doctor husband and head on to the Rohana Children's Home at Tissamaharamaya, where Mohan is going to hand over a television on behalf of the Ruhana Children's Development Trust.......
Wednesday evening
At the Rohana Children's Home:
We arrived at this sweet, small home for 9 little girls aged between 3 and 7. They are not necessarily orphans - several of them come from difficult homes and are "in care". They are all beautifully dressed in pink dresses, seem very happy and have the most delightful manners. We are welcomed in with great formality and the presentation of the television and video takes place. Sadly nobody thought about an aerial, and so, when turned on, the TV remains obstinately dark! Hey ho - this will be rectified tomorrow. The Clown does a little show for the children, which they really love, and then he makes them each a colourful balloon animal. The children then all perform individual songs for us. Really nice. The others all go out to dinner, but I retire to bed at the resthouse as I am feeling very fluey and coughy.
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 "The girls with their balloon animals")
We arrived at this sweet, small home for 9 little girls aged between 3 and 7. They are not necessarily orphans - several of them come from difficult homes and are "in care". They are all beautifully dressed in pink dresses, seem very happy and have the most delightful manners. We are welcomed in with great formality and the presentation of the television and video takes place. Sadly nobody thought about an aerial, and so, when turned on, the TV remains obstinately dark! Hey ho - this will be rectified tomorrow. The Clown does a little show for the children, which they really love, and then he makes them each a colourful balloon animal. The children then all perform individual songs for us. Really nice. The others all go out to dinner, but I retire to bed at the resthouse as I am feeling very fluey and coughy.
CWI Tsunami Tour