Home About Services Partners Fellows Blogs Resources Take Action

A Voice For the Voiceless

MISSION

The Advocacy Project seeks to help community-based advocates produce, disseminate and use information, and so become more effective advocates for human rights and social justice

Resources > Global Issues > Sri Lanka – Reb... > HHR Monthly Reports > Tsunami Relief Pr...

Tsunami Relief Project IV, February 1, 2006- April 30, 2006

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

Poonochchimunai

Sewing school

The Home for Human Rights (HHR) purchased a new sewing machine in the village of Kattankudy. This new sewing machine cost Rs. 24,415.00 and was given to Ms. Lingeswary. Though she learned to sew on an older and simpler model, she learned new techniques available on this machine with the help of her friend Rani. She initially stitched clothes for her relatives.  As Ms. Lingeswary became more proficient with the new techniques, she has been able to sew three dressing gowns each at a rate of Rs. 80.00 and two frocks each at a rate of Rs.125.00.

Common building

HHR staff regularly contacted the Divisional Secretariat (DS) to find out the status of the application tendered for the common land at Poonochchimunai. The DS once again asked for the list of names of the administrative body of the temple, resolutions passed at the General Meeting, signatures of those who were present at the General meeting and the constitution of the temple all in order to grant permission to build the common building in the temple premises.

Cheddipalayam

Washer families

Yogarajah has married and residing in the village Onthachimadam with his wife.  His daughter, Kaviyasini, is also staying at Onthachimadam with her grandmother.

HHR staff regularly meets with the washer families and they are earning a satisfactory income.

Sewing school

HHR staff frequently visited the sewing school at Cheddipalayam. The students are progressing well with their training.
Attendants:

Starting in November 2005, classes were held everyday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. for six months. Forty students are undertaking the training and on average, 39 students attended each class. The sewing school was closed on 13th & 14th of April for Tamil New year.

Syllabus

During this period the trainees learned to stitch pillow covers, caps, shirts, and knickers for boys, flared frocks and smoking frocks for babies, smoking frocks for girls between the ages of one to three, frocks and metric coats for older children. This training included learning to operate sewing machines and to take measurements.

Explanations were given through sketches with notes and practical work on stitching.

Supplies

HHR staff purchased and handed over to the teacher, 88 cutting papers, 54 thread balls, 30 yards of cotton, 70 yards of Terry Cotton and 50 yards of poplin.

The trainees want to work as a cooperative

HHR staff inquired from the trainees as to what they intended to do once they finished the course of training. Five of them said that they wanted to sew individually at their respective homes while the rest said that they intended start sewing jointly in a co-operative basis. They asked whether HHR could help them in any manner. HHR staff told them that HHR can help them form a co-operative society in consultation with the co-operative Department and to have the society registered with the Department. The 37 trainees who wanted to work as a cooperative gave a letter stating their intention to work together.

Grocery shop of Mr. Vinayagamoorthy

Vinayagamoorthy has started to run a boutique with the aid provided by HHR. He is able to manage the daily needs of his family from the income derived from this boutique. His wife aids by purchasing items for the boutique from the villages of Arayampathy and Kaluwanchikudy.

Tea stall of Mr. Gopalapillai

HHR provided Rs. 35 000/- to Seenithamby Gopalapillai who was able to open his boutique on 6th of March 2006.  He agreed that he would repay Rs.10, 000.00 in monthly installments at Rs.500.00 per month. In his boutique, he is selling vadai, string hoppers, thosai, tea etc. At present he derives a daily income of about Rs. 500/- to 1000/- per day.  He thanked HHR for its aid in establishing a permanent boutique and he is able to derive a good income through this.

Need assessment report of fishing labourers

HHR staff repeatedly contacted Mr.Sornalingam to get the report of the fishing labourers.

Discrimination in housing

Two students at the sewing school Kanapathipillai Nalini and Somasundaram Vimaleswary said that they had been living as refugees since 1990. Their land is being occupied by the Army having established their camp there. They brought this to the notice of the Divisional Secretary and the Grama Sevaga of the area on many occasions. But, no relief of any form of rent was given to them. Furthermore, their domiciles, made of clay and situated along Sea Beach Road were totally destroyed by the Tsunami. To date, they have not been granted relief aid.

Manalchenai

Sewing school

Nishanthini Kanapathipillai, a teacher from Thandiady, agreed to teach sewing to 15 students.  Permission was taken from Mr.Jegatheeswaran, president of the Rural Development Society of Manalchenai to conduct the sewing classes in the all purpose building of Manalchenai. Classes started on March 1, 2006 and are held from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every weekday.

As it is too far for the HHR staff to visit the class every week, it was decided to appoint three persons to lead the class in order to safeguard the accessories necessary to the course of training and to help the teacher whenever necessary. Accordingly, the following were appointed to the committee:

President - Mrs. Pasupathy Sakunthalathev

Secretary - Nathanpillai Yugenthiny

Treasurer- Kasinathan Ranjini

All the items that were to be used at the training class were handed over to them.

Lastly, each class participant's full name, address, date of birth, age, year of leaving school, educational qualifications, purpose of undergoing the course of training in sewing, intentions for learning sewing, and prospects after finishing the training were collected.  Each participant was also asked if their parents were interested in this training.

Attendants

During this period on average 12 students attended the classes.

Supplies

Three sewing machines, 25 yards of poplin, one yard of shirt material, 36 silk thread, three measuring tapes, hooks, three yards of lace, 50 buttons, six carbons, 25 balls of thread and 15 sheets of cutting paper were handed over to the school.

Syllabus

The students learned how to cut clothes and fold edges, 49 types of sewing and samples of their particles were affixed in their respective note books with written explanations for each type of sewing sample.

Digging wells

It was decided to dig the wells in common places, i.e. one well in a place common to Velu Shanmugam, Kandappan Alagaratnam, Krishnapillai Valliammai, Kathirvel Velautham etc. and the other well in a place common to Selliah Thamilselvan, Sinnachami Vellachami, Vellachami Mariammah and Murugupillai Selliah. There are approach roads to these two places.  HHR staff informed the people that the cost of hot bricks, cement, sand, and masons wages will be provided and that the villagers have to do the labour work and other odd jobs in digging and erecting the wells.

Building toilets

The villagers gave a list of people who need toilets: Rasamani Krishnamurthy (Monaragala), Thangarasa Rajendram (Tissamaharamaya), Thirumal Kuppan (Moneragala), Velu Chandran (Tissamaharamaya), Vyramuthu Mailvaganam (Tissamaharamaya), Kovindasamy Seethaledcumy (Badulla), Kuppan Sittampalam (Mneragala), Saminathan Kanapathisivaji (Tissamaharamaya), Vellachami Mariammah (Moneragala), Periyasamy Vikram (Moneragala), and Murugupillai Kanagi (Ampara).

These people were selected for to receive toilets.  They were then informed that action is being taken to find suitable places for the toilets and that the lists of their names will be affixed in conspicuous places in the village for every one to see.   If there is any objection in this regard, the same should be informed to HHR, in writing.

Help from other organizations

Toilets for 13 families have been erected by World Vision.  The World Vision has agreed to build permanent houses, wells and toilets for four families in coordination with some other organizations like International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Nasivantheevu

Women society

Nasivantheevu women's association has received its own letter pads and rubber seals.  Committee members of the Women Development Association (WDA) meet every month in the following manner: First prayers, president's speech, reading the minutes of the last committee meeting by the secretary and adopted, and financial reports read by the treasurer and adopted.  During this period more 21 women joined the society.  HHR has printed 10 receipts books and given to the women society.

Loans to the women

HHR staff told the WDA members that HHR intends to grant loans and asked them to select ten persons initially. They explained that women who were eligible for loans were those affected by war and tsunami, persons interested in trade and persons who can repay the loan.  For example, we told them that they can take the prawns, crabs, fish etc., available here to sell in the adjoining village so that they can enjoy the benefit of the profit that go to the vendors who come from outside areas to collect those items.

Later the WDA members informed HHR that British Red Cross Society had provided funds to the people to start their trades.  As a result, the people here are not willing to obtain loans. However six people had tendered their application to obtain loans.  Two of them are widows, one is a torture survivor and the other three have undergone severe hardships as their husbands were arrested and tortured severely by the government forces forcing these women to look after their families. They wanted to breed poultry, fish, make string hoppers to sell in small shops.

However, the WDA along with the youth club have decided that these women need not be given assistance as they have already been given trade implements and financial assistance from organizations such as fishery association, British Red Cross Society, etc. They then decided that it would be better if they can use that money to train young women in sewing which would benefit them in the long run. The WDA would look after the training and the development of the trainees even after the training is completed.

Sewing school for young women

The president of the WDA Velathai said that her newly built house can be used to hold the sewing classes.  Nishanthan Yogam from Mailankarachchi agreed to teach the students for four months.  It was decided to start the classes on May 10, 2006 and to have the classes in the afternoon. A decision was made that the trainees who do not attend for three continuous days will be treated as they have given up the course of training.  They will be liable to pay the cost of the classes they attended.

Tractor driving and boat mechanism Training for youth

Driver training for ten youths from Nasivanthivu commenced on February 13, 2006 in coordination with the Nadheera driving school.  All these ten youths were trained to drive vans, buses, trios and motorcycles.

The Examiner of motor vehicles, Batticaloa, has asked for the report of the medical officer of the motor Traffic Department, in Nugagoda in respect of Paranthaman, as he has some inabilities in the leg. However, the training instructor, in his opinion, states that the Examiner of motor vehicle can be seated next to the trainee when he does the test driving and refer him to the medical officer concerned here, if necessary, for a check up, instead of referring him to the medical officer at Nugagoda. Furthermore, Paranthaman states that he is afraid to go to Nugegoda and that he has no money to spend for the journey. Therefore he does not want to do the trial.

The trainees have sat for the written exam.  The training was suspended for some time due to the tensed situation that prevailed.  Nine of the trainees are successful in the written exam.  Practical training was fixed for Tuesdays and Thursdays for those who passed the written test. The five trainees already underwent trial and have received the temporary license.

Complaints of the youth club

The members of the Nasivantheevu youth club made a complaint to HHR that only 10 out of 27 youths are being given training in driving while the training in motor mechanisms was non-existent.  They regretted that they have given all the information to HHR and were in anyway.  HHR staff informed them that HHR has arranged a training programme for the youth through the GTZ (German NGO) but unfortunately GTZ could not follow the training.  Furthermore, HHR explained that it cannot assist everyone in the village and the youth themselves also should take interests in getting help when they are introduced to other organizations.

Thuraineelavanai

Widows association

The women were told by the Divisional Secretary that they have to form different associations in each Grama Sevaga Division.  Accordingly 71 women from ward five formed a widows association on March 8.  They formed the association to:

• Reduce violence against women
• Enable women to take independent decisions
• Raise awareness against violence committed on women in other families develop their own income gain self confidence while being in one organization acquire aid from other organizations through their association.

The members of the committee are elected:

President - Samithamby Komethagam
Secretary - Thavarasa Kalanithy
Treasurer - Velipillai Koneswary
Asst: Secretary- S.Thangeswary
Vice President - Krishnapillai Chandradevi

Sellaiah Kannagai, Kandaiah Thangammah, Ulaganathan Puvaneswary, Jeevaratnam Santhirapillai, Thagarasa Vijayamalar, Kesupathy Thevaki were selected as committee members.

Cleaning the lagoon

HHR staff contacted Mr. Sornalingam frequently.  He has obtained preliminary information but he has not finished the report yet.

Hartals, protests and search operations

Due to the increasing violence which included killings, land mines, grenade attacks, hartals and protests, it was difficult for the HHR staff to continue the work as planned.  HHR staff engages themselves in field work with a stressful mind under frightened circumstances.

On February 6, 2006 nongovernmental organizations (NGO's) had organized a protest, against the abduction of employees of the Tamils Rehabilitation Organization.  In support of which, the District traders Association had closed all the shops.

On 7th, 8th and 9th of February, the situation was very tense as the security of the area was very high. The driver training which was scheduled to commence on 8th was cancelled.  On April 17 the HHR staff could not go to Cheddipalayam sewing school as there was search operation in the area.

The situation in Batticaloa District worsened during April. Army activities had increased and many innocent people and persons interested in Human Rights etc., were killed under the disguise of "unknown persons," especially from the beginning of April 2006.

Following are the incidents took place during this period:

Hand grenade attacks - 08
Firing incidents - 12
Murders - 13
Rounds-ups - 08
Claymore Bomb attacks - 02
Arrests - 04
Abductions - 02
Search operations - 15
Hartal - 01
Threats - 08
Shell attacks - 03
Injured - 05
Transport interruptions - 03

Following were killed in the above incidents:

Members of the public - 15
Police officers - 01
Members of allied groups (k)- 03
Army personnel  - 04
Air force officers - 01
L.T.T.E cadres  - 01
Home cadres - 02

Following were injured in the above incidents:

Police officers- 04
Army personnel - 12
Air force officers - 05
L.T.T.E. cadres - 06
Member of allied Groups:
Karuna Groups - 02
E.P.D.P.- 02
Telo - 01
Members of public abducted - 03
Members of public arrested - 22

Information Technology

Six computers were received from Mr.Sextus Selvaratnam in USA.  Four computers was installed operating system (windows Xp) and necessary software (Office Xp, Virus card, Plus e-Dictionary, Acrobat Reader) and were sent to the HHR's Hatton, Akkaraipattu and branch offices and one computer was fixed in the Colombo office.

The computer in the Akkaraipattu and Batticaloa offices and a laptop and a desktop in the Colombo office were repaired.

Two visits were made to Batticaloa. One visit was made to Vavuniya branch office.

A small office network was set up to share resources like files, folders and printers to make the work easier and faster.  Instructions were given to the Batticaloa office staff in using the network, how to share files, folders and how to use the centralized printer. Home folders were created on the server machine for some users to make their backups themselves.

Website

Changes were made to the website according to the suggestions of Mr. Iain Guest, Director of Advocacy Project, Washington D.C. HHR website www.hhr-srilanka.org was officially launched by Mr.I.F.Xavier, Executive Director of HHR on March 11, 2006.

The opening function photos were uploaded to the photo gallery on website. HHR staff's details were entered into the online database. Staffs have been given a user name and password to access their profile in the online system. HHR journals "Beyond the Wall" were converted from Page Maker files to PDF files and were uploaded to HHR's website.

Annual report for the year 2005 was scanned in PDF and uploaded.  Monthly news brief for the year of 2000 was scanned and uploaded.

Training

Parthiban (HHR's IT person) participated in a training program in Linux operating system and Linux network administration was held by University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC) through The Asia Foundation (TAF) on  February 7 and 8. An introduction was given to the staff in web designing and developing by the web developer Mr.Rehan. He explained the features of our website and about the online collaboration system.

Back