One club vs. tsunami

December 2004’s tsunami crashed into the island of Sri Lanka, killing more than 35,000 people, destroying more than 65,000 homes, and leaving 40,000 widows, orphans, elderly, and disabled individuals in need of long-term or permanent support. Where does one begin to help in such a catastrophe?

Children, whose lives have been altered by 2004’s tsunami, play outside the Kiwanis-built Walodaya Preschool.

In the aftermath of the 2004 tragedy, the Colombo City Kiwanis club suddenly found itself in the middle of one of the world’s largest disaster-recovery efforts. The club’s 28 members took on the formidable task of matching the global outpouring of Kiwanis generosity—including a US$250,000 Kiwanis International Foundation grant—with a seemingly endless list of disaster-related needs. Above all, the club wanted to serve children.

Internet investigations, coupled with weeklong site-inspection excursions, led the Kiwanians to select three projects.

Following is an example of a recent Kiwanis Club of Colombo City’s report.

March 2006

Walodaya Preschool near Tangalle

Cost: Stage I (building), US$11,215; Stage II (furniture/learning aids), $2,000

List of donors:

• Kiwanis Club of Mt. Olive Township, New Jersey
• Kiwanis Club of Schwäbisch Hall, Germany
• Kiwanis Club of Taipei-Diana, Taiwan
• Kiwanis International Foundation
• Kiwanis Club of Early Risers, Yuba City, California
• Kiwanis Club of Colombo City
• Kiwanis Club of Caudebec-Mascaret, France

Status: The opening ceremony of the Walodaya Preschool building staged January 14, 2006. The chief guest at this ceremony was Sajith Premadasa, the honorable member of Parliament, representing the Hamabntota District. The next stage is to furnish the preschool, purchase learning aids, and buy playground equipment.

Delgahawatta Tsunami Housing Project near Wadduwa

Cost: $140,000 (estimated)

Number of houses: 10

List of donors:

• Kiwanis Club of Sete Bassin de Thau, France
• Kiwanis Club of La Guardia Airport, New York
• Kiwanis Club of Asnières-sur-Seine, France.
• Kiwanis Club of Foerderverein, ???
• Kiwanis Club of Brno, Czech Republic
• Kiwanis Club of Taipei-Diana, Taiwan
• Kiwanis Club of Caudebec-Mascaret, France
• Kiwanis Club of Early Risers, Yuba City, California

Status: Kiwanis representatives visted the Kalutara and Panadura district secretariats on March 20, 2006, to finalize matters relating to taking over the property and to receive the certificate from the Panadura district secretary. On the same day, Kiwanians met with Russel Czynski, project manager for the Australian Foundation for the Peoples of Asia and the Pacific Islands (AFAP) to deliver the survey plans provided by the district secretariat. The architectural drawings were received by the club on March 21, and the club was requested to subdivide the land.

A survey was completed on March 26, 2006, the plan showing the subdivision and internal roadway ready by April 5.

Drawings were delivered to AFAP on March 30 with a request that the project commence as soon as possible.

Kiwanis Visions of Hope Child Care Centre near Paddurippu

Cost: Land, $9,800; building, $40,000.

List of donors:

• Division 18, Eastern Canada and the Caribbean District
• Germany District

Status: Land, with a partly built house, was purchased in March 2006. Plans to complete the existing structure—with required additions—are being handled by the Australian Foundation for the Peoples of Asia and the Pacific. Construction of the perimeter wall has begun. Kiwanis donations also paid a computer, as well as staff salaries for the months of January, February, and March.