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Resources > Global Issues > Sri Lanka – Reb... > HHR Monthly Reports > The Survivors Get...

The Survivors Get Organized, January 14, 2005

The following was written by staff of the Home for Human Rights (HHR).

Home for Human Rights, Batticaloa
Special Meeting held on January 14, 2005
Regarding the Development and Reconstruction of The Village Navatkudah Poonochicimunai






HHR Director Francis Xavier, standing with a group of villagers chosen to be in charge of the reconstruction effort.




Participants:

• Mr. I.F. Xavier - Director, Home for Human Rights, Colombo
• Mr. Sextus Selvaratnam- Capitola, Santa Cruz, California (USA)
• Mr. Adams- International Medical Group (USA)
• Mr. N. Sivananderajah- Coordinator - Home for Human Rights, Batticaloa
• Mrs. Thilaka Xavier- Coordinator - Home for Human Rights, Colombo
• Mr. P. Parasuraman- Home for Human Rights, Batticaloa
• Mr. J. Jacob- Home for Human Rights, Batticaloa
• Mr. T. Sasitharan- Home for Human Rights, Batticaloa
• Miss. T. Kumuthaluxmy- Home for Human Rights, Batticaloa
• Miss. R. Inosha- Home for Human Rights, Batticaloa
• Miss.A. Sridevi- Volunteers 4,5 & 6th Cross Street, Poonochchimunai
• Miss. K. Deepa- Volunteers 4,5 & 6th Cross Street, Poonochchimunai
• Miss. M. Sinthu- Volunteers 4,5 & 6th Cross Street, Poonochchimunai
• Miss. K. Yogeswari- Volunteers 4,5 & 6th Cross Street, Poonochchimunai
• Miss. K. Parimala- Volunteers 4,5 & 6th Cross Street, Poonochchimunai
• Miss. A. Nadiya- Volunteers 4,5 & 6th Cross Street, Poonochchimunai
• Mr. M. Vasanthalingam- Volunteers 4,5 & 6th Cross Street, Poonochchimunai
• Mr. K. Sri- Volunteers 4,5 & 6th Cross Street, Poonochchimunai

The above meeting was held on January 14, 2005 at about 5 pm at HHR office, Batticaloa. It was presided by Mr I.F. Xavier, the Executive Director of HHR. The above-mentioned persons participated.

The Director in his discussion, outlined some vital points, i.e. the above newly formed Committee should work for the development of the village Poonochchimunai, Navatkudah, Batticaloa. The members are expected to work with service mentality. The money allocated for the purpose should be kept in a separate account. The members are requested to visit interior of the village and the 3 Cross Roads adopted for the purpose, and talk to the people of these areas and find out whether the people concerned are prepared to live in the land permanently. If they are prepared we can obtain State lands and construct houses for them.






Children sleeping at the Ramakrishna mission, some of whom do not have any clothes.







The following resolutions were passed in the Meeting:

i. A special committee was formed for the purpose of carrying out the above said functions;

ii. Mr. M. Vasanthalingam was elected as President of the Committee by its members;

iii. The Committee comprises 9 (Nine) members. 3 (three) members will be elected from each ward;

iv. Our officers like Mr. N. Sivananderajah, P. Parasuraman and other field officers also will be responsible for the project activities activated by this newly formed Special Committee;

v. The members of the Committee will meet twice a month at HHR office, Batticaloa. If any member of the committee fails to attend 3 consecutive meetings, he will be deemed to have vacated his membership;

vi. It was agreed that, the land where they are now living is 100% safe, but there should be drainage system, which could be constructed through Shramadana. (Voluntary) And our Director suggested that Rs. 50,000/- could be allocated for the purpose and he wants to know the lists of items, that are required for Shramadana (voluntary) work to accomplish this task;

vii. The president of this committee pointed out problems they are facing regarding this;

•     There is a cemetery in the heart of the village -

It was suggested that the MOH must be consulted on this issues;

•     There are no name boards for the Road -

It was suggested that, if we could bring the matter to the attention of the Pradesha Sabha or Town Council in writing it will be attended by them;

•     During rainy days, very often the rainwater stagnates, as there is lack of drainage system; the seawater that seeped in stagnate within the village during Tsunami.

To overcome this problem, a drainage system could be constructed through Shramadana (voluntary) and Rs. 50,000/- could be allocated for this purpose;

•     Non attendance of children in the schools

It was suggested, after looking into the problem the school books, Exercise books and other stationary items that are required could be purchased for these students. For this purpose, all the particulars about these children must be collected before 20th of this month.

•     Unemployment Problem among Youths

Conduct sewing classes and purchase of sewing machines. To solve this problem HHR promised to buy 5 (five) sewing machines.

•     Unemployment problem among women

It was suggested such as picketing (food stuffs) and Poultry could be a viable solution

•     Unemployment Problem among Men folk

Fishing and mending shoes were suggested as solution. For lack of permanent dwellings, it was promised that this problem could be solved after exploring issues with Government Agent

•      Scarcity of drinking water, lack of Lavatories

Francis Xavier (far right) meeting with villagers.

The solutions for these problems were promised. As a temporary measure, it was promised to provide Water Tanks.

In addition to these, a monthly payment of Rs. 1000/- is promised to all the volunteers by Mr Adam. Further more it was discussed that Mr. Sextus and Adam will extend the assistance for all the proposed projects plans.

At 6 pm our Director Mr. I. F. Xavier delivered the vote of thanks to those who attended the meeting.

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