Talalla Bay & District

Our New Project

noreply@blogger.com (Jess Brown (Photography), Hayley Maynard (Story)) — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 23:42:00 +0000

There is much to report about our Talalla Bay adventures since the last entry and since finishing the tsunami relief work, which first brought us here.

As we fell in love with the life and people of Talalla we realised there was more that we could do to help the community, and so we, cousins Jess and Hayley, developed a clothing label with an idea to manufacture domestically from Talalla Bay, to generate livelihoods and support an industry from within the very heart of the village.

We have been dedicated to our cause working out of Sydney and Sri Lanka to develop KissinCussin, aptly named for the two of us life-loving cousins and the journey we started in Talalla together.

From humble beginnings, two years ago, we produced a range of cute summer dresses for the market stalls of Australia. Since then, in leaps and bounds, we have made much progress and have a great following in Australia of women eager to support our outlook and buy our stand out designs.

If you wish to see KissinCussin’s current collection please visit www.kissincussin.com

Increased popularity and demand for our label means we have managed to double the number of employees in Talalla Bay, again set to rise by 100% next year. Our team of local ladies is headed by Nishanti, and we all come to her house each day to work.

Through KissinCussin, stocked widely across Australia, we hope to continue in our efforts to generate further employment in Talalla and to help the wider community. We aim to implement vocational education classes, for the community hall of Talalla Bay, which was built during our work for the tsunami relief project.

This has been the most amazing experience from the beginning until now and it only gets better as more opportunities for Talalla Bay present themselves, if we can assist some of the many gifted and talented people here, to give them some opportunity to realise and follow their own dreams, as we have been able to follow ours, then it is all the more worthwhile.

These pictures can tell our story infinitely better than words so please take a look to follow the amazing adventure we started and which, by no means, is over. We will be updating regularly with images and insights so please stay in touch at this address to learn more about the KissinCussins and Talalla Bay – Enjoy xx

Foundation Stone Ceremony

noreply@blogger.com (Jess Brown (Photography), Hayley Maynard (Story)) — Sat, 13 Aug 2005 06:36:00 +0000

On Monday 8th August, the Talalla Support Group were guests at the foundation stone ceremony for the building of the Community Hall. The day was full of colour and happiness as the whole Talalla community came together for the commencement of this wonderful project.
Our charity, headed by Lawrie Rose, a Jewish man, is funding the Hall, to be built by a Muslim man, Mr Uwaiz, on a Buddhist site for the benefit of local Talalla people of many varying religions and backgrounds. This is brought so much joy and optimism to everyone taking part in the project, as an area of such a diversity is brought together in such unity, proving we can all work and play together with a little respect and understanding. In my opinion, it is the way the world should be.
The day started mid morning, as we followed the students of the Sunday Dharma class, elaborately dressed in traditional Sinhalese costumes, singing, playing instruments and dancing up the driveway to the site. On arrival we were presented with Betel leaves by some of the Montessori preschool children, and then sacred white flowers, which we took up to the temple and presented to Buddha.
Next on the agenda, the Talalla Support Group, the builders, some local council members and respected gentlemen were all presented with a brick each. We lined up along a trench, which was dug in the area where the Community Hall is being built, and one by one we placed our bricks in the ground and covered them with cement provided.
A lot of credit goes to Mr Pinsiri, a local teacher who was also a victim of the Tsunami, he has selflessly given much of his time to organising this event as well as the planning for the construction of the Community Hall.
By Jess Brown.

Beginning the Community Hall

noreply@blogger.com (Jess Brown (Photography), Hayley Maynard (Story)) — Sun, 24 Jul 2005 11:11:00 +0000

With livelihoods restored and life in Talalla returned to some normality, the Talalla Support Group are in the process of using the remaining donations to build a new Community Hall next to the local Buddhist Temple. This is a great project, involving the whole community and providing a wonderful place for all locals to meet for various differing purposes.
The Montessori pre-school will use the hall five days a week. With twenty students, five years of age and down, they will make great use of the new facilities. On Sundays, the Buddhist classes take place for local children from four years old to eighteen. When rain prevents them from being able to take their classes outside, the hall will be a necessity. It will also provide a great area to organise local dance and Poya, full moon, celebrations. In addition, any money not used on the construction will go towards setting up the school with more books, chairs and tables.
The Buddhist Hall is also a place for community meetings. From fishing to farming to banking, many different groups and organisations will benefit and make good use of the hall.
Over the last six months, I have realised that there is definitely an importance in community projects, bringing the people together and encouraging them to work as one. The Buddhist Hall will be a useful and beautiful sanctuary for the people of Talalla Central and Talalla South to learn, meet, and celebrate their religion.
By Jess Brown

Returning Other Livelihoods Lost

noreply@blogger.com (Jess Brown (Photography), Hayley Maynard (Story)) — Sat, 21 May 2005 08:16:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Jess Brown (Photography), Hayley Maynard (Story)) — Tue, 10 May 2005 02:31:00 +0000

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

Devastation Still Surrounds

noreply@blogger.com (Jess Brown (Photography), Hayley Maynard (Story)) — Fri, 22 Apr 2005 05:33:00 +0000

In the absence of our writer, Hayley Maynard, I have posted some images showing the huge devastation which sadly, still remains almost four months later in many of the areas of Sri Lanka which were hit by the tsunami.
Most people I have met along the way have put on such brave faces, hanging on to anything and anybody they may have left after the tradgedy. They're strength and will to survive is unbelievable and has moved me and changed my outlook on life forever more.
Jess Brown

The Local Buddhist Temple

noreply@blogger.com (Jess Brown (Photography), Hayley Maynard (Story)) — Sun, 10 Apr 2005 07:23:00 +0000

Talalla’s Buddhist temple is situated approximately 1km inland and stands ‘secretly’ in the midst of the village, surrounded by palms and foliage. The serene environment is intoxicated with a certain stillness and calm. Although not directly effected by the tsunami it is to here that the majority of panicked villagers fled. At the pinnacle of catastrophe they sourced their temple for protection. It is here, and not some government establishment, where they were fed, sheltered and cared for during the first few days before more adequately available aid reached them, the monks did the best that they could.

The temple serves as a community venue where meetings, ceremonies and Sunday school take place. Although charming and idyllic, in what they stand for, the grounds and resources are limited to serve the community and its requirements entirely.
There are three buildings and a small makeshift kitchen on the grounds. Buildings are used respectively for prayer, teaching and discussion amongst the groups that use them.

We recently visited the temple on a Sunday morning. Kindly, the teachers were happy for us to stay despite the bemused reactions of the children who were fascinated with our pale skin and camera. At 11am they have a ‘tea time’ break where drinks and snacks are prepared in the small kitchen area. Pots and cooking stoves are utilized in the open air or just within a palm leaf covering that the teachers have secured themselves. Observing the children in their innocent play and the calmness of their surroundings it seems the weight of the world and present circumstances are forgotten. Here they are happy, the ambience is pleasant and secure.

Seven hundred children from the area attend, from 5 – 16 years. They’ve grown here, learning the fundamentals to advanced levels of Buddhist teaching. Most children wear uniforms that they’d wear to school, or variations of this for those families who can afford. We were not asked for help, despite their obvious needs, but simply welcomed to enjoy and observe.

The buildings and resources are sparse. Children learn outside, when the weather permits or now, as the monsoon period has encroached, they’re huddled into a darkened room, not large enough to properly house them all or provide adequate reading light.

The villagers use the temple well; it’s their sanctuary. We realize with funding some small developments could serve them properly as a community. To improve this area would mean everything to them and the monks who wish to maintain a place of security and comfort for the people of Talalla.

Kitchen improvements would allow women to meet and cook together, fishermen, with an appropriate room, could hold livelihood meetings and the children, who rarely complain, would have more resources to add comfort to their Sunday morning lessons. Traditional ceremonies, so very well maintained in this culture, could be conducted in the glory that they are deserved. With improvements to the current buildings or even to build new and improved versions would allow Talalla and its people a harmonious area to hone their skills and learn new ones and to reinforce the close sense of community, which is already evident.

Three Months Later

noreply@blogger.com (Jess Brown (Photography), Hayley Maynard (Story)) — Fri, 01 Apr 2005 01:09:00 +0000

The Buddhists’ traditional almsgiving takes place three months after a death, intending to commemorate the passing of the spirit, to guide the soul safely over to a fine new life and family. Before this time the soul is supposedly still lingering in the home to which it once belonged and the monks’ chanting is said to be asking the spirit to move away and forward to ‘its’ new life. The night of the 25th March leading into 26th marked three months since the tsunami crashed destructively into Talalla Bay, stealing with it so many lives. Consequently mostly everyone in the village was involved, in their respective groups, hosting ceremonies throughout the night and following day. Strategically the almsgiving ceremony, or ‘dhana den eva’ as is called in Singhalese, is broken into timetabled rituals including the giving of food, water, flowers, gifts of robes and ordaining the house decoratively with electrical lighting, to symbolise the elimination of darkness.

We were invited to take part with one group of locals, which was a wonderful honour as they insisted we had become as much a part of the tsunami and its aftermath as they had. The ceremony itself was inspiring, the spectacle wonderful and entirely new. Arriving at around 9 pm the usually barren house, accommodating the almsgiving, was illuminated with fairy lights throughout, cleaned, polished and decorated ready for the arrival of the monks who were to bless and chant until the following morning where they would take a specially prepared breakfast. On arrival we were taken to a room and enjoyed a wonderful meal, which I had observed being prepared busily by all the women involved throughout the day. The tradition is so important that the people, living more frugally in present circumstances, had pooled resources in order to create a delightful feast and make for comfortable surroundings. Many villagers lasted through the night, although some retired and returned later for the morning breakfast.

The following day saw further ceremonies taking place. One family, who had suffered considerable losses, six children and two mothers, had a large number of attendees to bless their dear spirits' passing. On the whole, on this day, we witnessed a surprisingly happy ambience. It was difficult to detect whether this meant people had moved on and were ‘forgetting’ or simply holding themselves bravely. Still, it manifested some wonderful images. To see the love and laughter being shared amongst families, to see how much they have their movements have developed to embrace their lives and livelihoods again, to see children playing happily amongst the still devastated houses, their bravery shining in the face of what was lost to them three months ago. Particularly warming was the sight of children playing in the water, at first with caution but then jocularly and fully clothed they submerged themselves – convinced that they should no longer fear what they fear of the sea. Families too came down to watch the then gentle waves lapping calmly over the shore in the blistering heat of the day.

So after three months feelings are mixed. Families are now starting to work and function in their new senses of normality. Yet still the burdened memories are lingering. People suffer mentally through their losses. Income causes a huge problem in the way of pride and inability to provide adequately for their families. The loss of houses too means people are forced to accept the generosity of relatives and friends and live under donated hospitality. Kome Edirisinghe noted “Because so many homes were washed away the families are suffering mentally, without their own place to live.” But they are facing their problems despite no help form the Government and a subsequent loss of faith in a structure that should be protecting them. Kome said, “Until now the people have no trust in the Government because they have received nothing. They look to the help from foreigners like you (The Talalla Bay and District Support Group) and it’s the only help they have seen.” Another known fisherman from the village, Kirthi Subasinghe said, “The Sri Lankan Government has not helped at all. We have received nothing and it makes me so angry.”

Ironically only two days after the three-month commemoration, when spirits were lifted, the recent tsunami threat resulted in a giant step backwards. Chaos ensued on the night of Monday 28th March as people were warned all over the coast to move 2 kms inland; they took the warning and ran. Villagers fled as far as they could towards safety, so frightened that once again the dreadful horror from the sea would come and take from them. The heightened ambience that we saw last Saturday is now shattered and has been replaced by caution, fear and anxiety as the slowly suppressing memory of the tsunami once again becomes tangible and threatening.

Photographs taken by a local man Ghit, at the time of the tsunami, show the water drawing back into the ocean before the second wave. In stark contrast, Jess stood at the same viewpoint three months later capturing, comparitively, the calm glassy ocean as it appeared last week.

Progress Reports

noreply@blogger.com (Jess Brown (Photography), Hayley Maynard (Story)) — Mon, 28 Mar 2005 11:46:00 +0000

The Talalla bay and District Support Group, costs and spending to date:

Item / catagory Date cost (rps)

Clearing
Tractor 29/01/05 2,500
Workers (15) 29/03/05 6,000
Lunch 29/03/05 600

Total 10,565

Clearing
Tractor 30/01/05 2,500
Workers (30) 30/01/05 12,000
Lunch 30/01/05 1,550
Tea time 30/01/05 1,050
Chainsaw hire 30/01/05 1,500

Total 19,975

Clearing
Workers (33) 31/01/05 12,200
Tractor 2,400
Gloves (workers) 320
Lunch 1,650
Tea 1,000
Canvas Bags 1,000

Total 17,250

Clearing
Workers 02/02/05 400
Lunch 150
JCB hire 12,750
Tractor 2,500

Total 15,800

Clearing
Workers 03/02/05 11,200
Tractor 2,500
JCB hire 12,000
Lunch 1,550
Tea 1,057
Transport 50
Gloves 930

Total 29,287

Clearing
Workers (30) 04/02/05 9,000
JCB hire 11,060
Tractor 1 2,500
Tractor 2 2,000
Lunch 1,400
Tea 1,190
Gloves 250

Total 27,400

Clearing
Workers (30) 05/02/05 9,000
JCB hire 12,000
Tractor 1 2,500
Tractor 2 2,500
Tea 816
Lunch 1,520
Gloves 100

Total 28,436

Clearing
Workers (24) 07/02/05 7,200
JCB hire 7,500
Tractor 2,500
Lunch 1,520
Tea 955
Transport 80
Gloves 600
General expenses
Motorcycle hire (1 week) 7,000

Total 27,355

Clearing
Workers (24) 08/02/05 7,200
Tractor 2,500
Lunch 1,120
Tea 800
Bananas 120

Total 11,740

Clearing
Workers A/B 09/02/05 10,800
Workers C 3,600
JCB hire 6,190
Tractor 1 2,500
Tractor 2 1,250
Lunch 2,080
Tea 1,225
Livelihood
Deposit 20 coir machines 5,000
General
Paper / internet 1,505

Total 34,150

Clearing
Workers (41) 10/02/05 12,100
Lunch 1,800
Tea 940
Tractor A 2,500
Tractor B 2,500
JCB 1 12,000
JCB 2 3,000
Petrol 250
Sharpening tools 420
Brooms 279
Tools 1,175
Livelihood
Deposit on boats 30,000
Comfort of living
Mattresses (22) 21,285
Trucks for Mattresses 600

Total 88,849

Clearing
Workers (A/B/C – 42) 11/02/05 12,600
Supervisor A 450
Supervisor B 400
Tractor A 2,500
Tractor B 2,500
JCB A 12,000
JCB B 12,000
Lunch / Tea 2,990
Comfort of living
Mattresses X 29 61,726.50
General
Petrol 3,824.80

Total 110,991.30

Clearing
Workers A/B (41) 12/02/05 12,300
Supervisor 400
JCB A 7,500
JCB B 12,000
Tractor A 2,500
Tractor B 2,500
Lunch / Tea 3,750
Sharpening tools 350

Total 41,300

Clearing
Workers (10) 13/02/05 3,000
Supervisor 450
JCB 12,000
Tractor 2,500
Lunch 600
Tea 873

Total 16,273

Clearing
Workers (40) 14/02/05 12,000
Supervisor 400
JCB A 12,000
JCB B 12,000
Tractor A 940
Tractor B 2,500
Lunch 2000
Tea 950
General
Bike rental (1 week) 7,000
Petrol 1,025
Internet use 3,949

Total 54,746

Clearing
Workers A (20) ½ day 15/02/05 3,000
Workers B (20) 6,000
JCB A ½ day 7,500
JCB B 10,500
Tractor A 2,500
Tractor B 2,500
Supervisor 400
Lunch (A / B) 2000
Tea / biscuits 600

Total 35,000
Clearing
Workers (16) 16/02/05 4,800
JCB 9,750
Supervisor A 400
Supervisor B 450
Tractor A 2,500
Tractor B 2,500
Lunch 1,000
Tea 477
Petrol 3,930
Livelihood
Fishing Net 77,600

Total 103,407

Clearing
Workers (20) 17/02/05 6,000
JCB A 2,500
JCB B 2,500
Lunch 12,600
Tea 600

Total 23,700

Clearing
Workers (16) 18/02/05 4,800
JCB A 12,000
JCB B 10,800
Supervisor A 450
Supervisor B 400
Tractor A 2,500
Tractor B 2,500
Lunch / tea 1,491
Repair drainage cover 2,095
Workers for drainage cover 800

Total 37,836

Clearing
Workers (1/2 day) 19/02/05 300
JCB A 6,000
Tractor 1,250

Total 7,550

Clearing
JCB A 21/02/05 12,000
JCB B 10,500
Tractor 2,500
General
Motorcycle hire (1 week0 7,000

Total 32,000

Clearing
Workers 22/02/05 600
JCB 12,000
Tractor 2,500
Foreman 450
Foreman (advance) 450
Supervisor 400
Lunch 320
General
Petrol 1,150.85

Total 17,740.85

Clearing
JCB 23/02/05 12,000
Tractor 2,500
Supervisor 200
General
Phone credit (charity use) 1,000
Internet use 400

Total 16,100

Clearing
Workers 24/02/05 9,750
JCB 2000
Tractor 2000
Supervisor 400
Lunch / tea 220

Total 12,370

Clearing
JCB A 25/02/05 6,500
JCB B 9,880
Tractor 2,000
Supervisor 400
Lunch / tea 277
Livelihood
30 horse power engine 194,000
Deposit on nets 160,000

Total 373,557

Clearing
JCB A 26/02/05 9,750
JCB B 8,840
Tractor A 2,000
Tractor B 2,000
Supervisor 450
Lunches 160

Total 23,200

Clearing
JCB 27/02/05 9,750
Tractor A 2,000
Tractor B 2,000
Supervisor (1/2 day) 200
Lunches 200

Total 14,150

Clearing
JCB A 28/02/05 10,400
JCB B 8,710
Tractor A 2,000
Tractor B 2,000
Supervisor 450
Barbed wire (school) 2,400
Supervisor 450
Lunches 240
General
Motorcycle hire (1 week) 7,000
Photocopy names list 36
Petrol costs charity 3,298

Total 36,986

Clearing
JCB A 01/03/05 7,280
JCB B 9,100
Tractor A 2,000
Tractor 2,000
Workers 1,800
Brooms X 2 100
Lunches 280

Total 22,560

Clearing
JCB A 02/03/05 10,790
Tractor A 2,000
Tractor B 2,000
Workers (6) 1,800
Lunches 280
General
Petrol 3597

Total 20,467
Clearing
JCB A 03/03/05 10,400
JCB B 3,120
Tractor A 2,000
Tractor B 2,000
Supervisor (+ advance, 4 days) 2,000
Lunches 200
Livelihood
Further deposit 20 coir machines 10,000

Total 29,720

Clearing
JCB A 04/03/05 10,270
JCB B 6,670
Tractor A 2,000
Tractor b 2,000
Supervisor 400
Lunches 200
Community
BOQ + plans for community hall 24,000
Livelihood
9.9 horse power boat engine 150,250
Comfort
Gas cookers ( X 2) 7,201
School materials (57 families)
Socks, umbrellas 9,760
Uniforms 18,462
Stationery, exercise books 10,403.5
School shoes 46,081.80
School bags 22,335.90

Total 310,034.15

Clearing
JCB A 05/03/05 10,530
JCB B 6,890
Tractor A 2,000
Tractor B 2,000
Supervisor 400
Lunches 200
School materials (extra)
School shirts 6,200
Uniforms 4,009
Stationery 10,905
School shoes 37,033.4
General
Petrol 3059.84

Total 83,227.24

Clearing
JCB A 07/03/05 10,400
Tractor A 2,000
Tractor B 2,000
Supervisor 800
Lunches 200
Livelihood
Sewing machines X 2 22,610
Fishing nets (final payment) 374,990
General
Taxi 600
Delivery sewing machines 750
Motorbike Hire (1 week) 7,000

Total 421,350

Clearing
JCB A 10,270
Tractor A 2,000
Tractor B 2,000
Supervisor 450
Lunches 200
Hats 300
Livelihood
Engines (boats) 08/03/05 200,000
School materials (extra)
Maths boxes 1,097
Calculator 955
Clothing 750

Total 223,046.10

Clearing
JCB 5,720
Tractor A 2,000
Tractor B 2,000
Supervisor 400
Lunches 200

Total 8,320

Clearing
JCB 10/03/05 9,360
Tractor A 2,000
Tractor B 2,000
Supervisor 400
Lunches 200
Reconstruction
Deposit for toilets to be built X 5 75,000
General
Mattress delivery 800
Repair to borrowed car caused through accident 6,850

Total 96,410

Clearing
JCB 11/03/05 2,210
Supervisor 400
Livelihood
Final boat payment 184,000
General
Delivery charges boat 2,800
Petrol 3,000

Total 192,410

Clearing
JCB (to clear Talalla school) 12/03/05 6,760
Supervisor 400
Lunch 240
Comfort
Mattresses for rest of village 1 X 55 110,000

Total 117,400

Clearing
JCB 13/03/05 9,100
supervisor 400
Lunches 240
General
Motorbike hire (1 week) 7,000
Stationery 680
Taxi 220

Total 17,640

Livelihood
Chainsaw (for tree feller, lost previous) 15/03/05 71,000
General
Translator / supervisor A 400
Translator / supervisor B (advance 3 days) 1,350

Total 32,750

Livelihood
Replacement equipment for electrician 16/03/05 5,670
General
Translator / supervisor A ½ day 400
Translator / supervisor B (payment to date for March
excluding advance previous day) 400
Car hire replacement 500
Taxi 330
Phone cards (over 6 weeks to aid worker Tony Reaiche) 5,700
Sharpening tools (backdated) 9,000

Total 29,200

Livelihood
Replacement equipment electrician 17/03/05 104,250
Replacement equipment electrician 4,695
General
Supervisor / translator A ¾ day 300
Supervisor / translator B 450
Lunches (backdated for workers) 480

Total 109,935

Livelihood
Bicycles to fish-sellers X 3 18/03/05 18,000
Replacement equipment to welding family 76,820
Replacement tool builder 1,500
General
Supervisor / translator A ¾ day 300
Supervisor / translator B 450

Total 97,070

Livelihood
Replacement goods and equipment 19/03/05 20,000
General
Supervisor / translator A (+ overtime) 500
Supervisor / translator B 450

Total 20,950

Livelihood
Balance for 20 coir machines 22/03/05 55,000
Replacement goods to balance welding family 73,163
School kids
Volley balls + nets 4,710
General
Supervisor / translator A + overtime 500
Supervisor / translator B (for 3 days) 1,350
Petrol 2,700
Delivery coir machines 500

Total 135,196

Livelihood
Chainsaw tree feller 23/03/05 71,000
Sewing machines X 15 178,500
Comfort
Mattresses village two X 50 110,000
Gas cylinder 3,700
Gas 800
General
Supervisor / translator A 400
Supervisor / translator B 450

Total 364,900
Livelihood
Replacement tools carpenter 24/03/05 30,000
General
Supervisor / translator A 400
Supervisor / translator B 450
Transport 380

Total 31,280

General
Supervisor / translator B 25/03/05 450

Total 450

General
Delivery sewing machines 26/08/05 1,000

Total 1,000

General
Petrol 29/03/05 3,400

Total 3,400

Livelihood
Coir machine engine repair 30/03/05 20,000
Reconstruction
Further payment towards 5 toilets (balance to pay 96,000) 30,000

Total 50,000

General
Supervisor / translator A 01/04/05 450
Hire car costs 22,500

Total 22,950

School materials village 2 (63 families)
Stationery / books / pens etc. 02/04/05 9,844
School bags 6,500
Uniforms 34,111.20
Shoes, umbrellas, socks 105,157.7
General
Supervisor / translator A (4 days) 1,600

Total 157,157.7

General
Supervisor / translator A 03/04/05 400
Supervisor / translator B 450
Lunches 300

Total 1150

Livelihood
Ropes and nets (final) 04/04/05 79,960
Comfort
Extra clothing items child 665
Dentistry for young child 5,000
General
Supervisor / translator A (1 ½ days also for tomorrow) 600

86,225

Talalla South Public School

noreply@blogger.com (Jess Brown (Photography), Hayley Maynard (Story)) — Fri, 18 Mar 2005 06:29:00 +0000

Talalla South Mahavidyalaya is from primary to senior level and caters for 635 students, grades 1 – 13, ages 5 – 18. The School is located about 30 metres away from Talalla Central village and serves many of the children from each area.

School begins at 8:30am and students form lines in their appropriate divisions, while music is filtered through speakers in the courtyard. Each day at this time the students start with a light established routine, serving as exercise and awakens their bodies and minds for the ensuing day.

Physical damage to the school includes a torn gate and harm to the buildings and classrooms, as well as equipment. Before the tsunami the school had spent a sum of money on library facilities such as shelving and books. Their shelves were subsequently well stocked and filled with literature - essential for the enriching of young minds. Now they stand bare and abandoned. Approximately 30 books were salvaged, and the library is currently disused.

We recently cleared the side entrance to the school, clearing a pathway and knocked down some minor buildings (old disused toilets) that were causing obstruction. Council approval was given for this. This is a major improvement and provides easier access for the children.

The principal has requested the possibility of a road, which they didn’t have before but would be a great asset, especially with the rainy season approaching. We also need to repair one gate and obtain another, completely damaged, for the front and side entrances. I am currently looking into costing for this and the above. There are some larger buildings that were damaged and in the future we hope to be able to help with reconstruction. At the moment, as with many established and damaged buildings, the school is still waiting for government decisions on reconstruction to be confirmed.

The library and it’s content were seriously damaged/destroyed. Most of the furniture and shelving can be repaired and repainted to avoid the costs of buying new. Books, dictionaries and learning materials were washed away. Prior to the tsunami money had been donated for the library’s refurbishment and a budget was allocated to books, hence the shelves were filled and the librarian said that children were taking great advantage of the system. There are no longer books available to use. The children loved the many books and stories in both Singhalese and English and the range was suitable for all levels from ladybird editions to advanced. Replacing these vital development tools would be greatly appreciated.

The library also lost a ceiling fan in the disaster, which they need replacing to cope with the stifling heat - unbearable throughout the day. The library walls are closed for security and as reading requires a concentrated mind the lack of breeze is highly disruptive. Further equipment that would always benefit the school includes uniforms, stationery and exercise books.

In the day to day running of the school children battle the elements, shifting and manoevering equipment chasing the shadows from the sun's probing rays.

The items above are essential. In order to heighten the moral, happiness and general mental well being of their students, teachers have suggested that musical instruments and costumes for dancing would be wonderful assets. Singhalese people are highly demonstrative and expression is a central way to alleviate grief and suffering and to lift spirits. I think supplying such items can also be considered vital necessities, to add life and light to their young troubled minds and form an interest and escapism from their barren homes.

Talalla Central

noreply@blogger.com (Jess Brown (Photography), Hayley Maynard (Story)) — Sun, 13 Mar 2005 06:34:00 +0000

Talalla Central is home to approximately 60 families. Around 20 have moved, compliantly, to a nearby refugee camp situated towards Matara, others remain in the village. Some, out of fear, are clinging desperately to what is left of their homes, if anything, and otherwise residing in donated shelters. They are clinging out of ignorance, and not their own dealing, for as yet nobody knows what will happen to these displaced families. The Government still sits on a ruling that reconstruction, even of temporary residences, cannot be initiated within 100mtrs of the sea.

Confused and afraid of a destiny, yet to be decided, the people of this small village stay fixed to their land, determindly, living below even their own prior standards as leaving could mean they will later be refused access to return.

Amidst this confusion there lives a close group of 11 families, 47 people, of whom we’ve become particularly fond. It’s difficult to say why, exactly, perhaps because of their abilities to cope as a true community in such adverse conditions, surviving together as one rather than clutching to what is available for themselves. Watching them it’s hard to believe the massive extent of their combined losses.

When we arrived they were still living in critical conditions, food rations distributed weekly by the Government of rice and sugar. Of the 11 families, nine lost their homes and possessions entirely. Their tents have been erected closely together on collective land, and they now form a small refugee camp.

Eminent is their absolute tolerance towards these conditions. Residing with inappropriate shelter, places to cook or wash and no livelihood tools to earn an income for their survival. Still, they do survive, contently, and in defiance of all the elements that are rallying against them.

Daily life incorporates laughter, sunshine, tears, arguments, acts of kindness and unkindness, bravery and surprise – just as you’d find through everyday personalities in any village, anywhere. Their familiarity is endearing. The children run from tent to tent, sit with whichever ‘parents’ they choose for the moment and mothers punish and defend when needed, even against their own naturally born. They play and fight, as I imagine they did before - accepting of their diminished environment: still boisterous; shy; determined; fair or bossy – their striking personalities have not been affected.

We recently donated musical instruments to help them through the uncomfortable days and nights without recreation. They play and dance as one family, binding more tightly this incredible sense of togetherness.

The end of next week should see their livelihoods returned, comprising of fishermen, labourers, seamstresses and coir makers, for the entire village. While we cannot help to rebuild their homes at this stage, due to Government ruling, we aim to make sure that all temporary residences are suitable to withstand the forthcoming monsoon. And by returning their livelihoods we are offering them the chance to begin to 'reconstruct' their lives, with an available income.

The people here exemplify the many sub-groups within communities who forge a particular closeness, although this group, and what we have already learned from time spent with them, are particularly dear to us, and our efforts.

Initial Clearing is Over

noreply@blogger.com (Jess Brown (Photography), Hayley Maynard (Story)) — Fri, 04 Mar 2005 05:14:00 +0000

Operating a ‘cash for work’ system in both villages was a great success and offered many locals who had lost their livelihoods the opportunity to earn an income while clearing away the predominant mass of physical devastation left from the tsunami. We have now finished the initial stage of clearing with fantastic results. Most areas are uncovered and piled tidily allowing clear pathways throughout with land freed of rubble.

Having to finish the ‘clearers’ unfortunately means that there’s no work for them and thus a lack of income, but we are continually looking for further projects where their labour can be utilised. There is now a lot to accomplish in the way of reconstruction. Most of the houses in Talalla Central were lost and the small community, amounting to 47 people, lives tightly in a make-shift camp, their former homes vanished. In spite of this their spirits are amazingly high and never seem downtrodden, such remarkable displays of courage. In Talalla South many houses were damaged beyond repair while others were less affected, this means up to three families can be residing mutually, 12-13 people co-habiting in broken accommodation.

The beach has been freed of debris, broken trees and rubble, it’s former beauty almost restored. People are now frequenting the beach happily while they wait for early morning ‘catches’ from the few fishermen who, as yet, have returned to work. It’s encouraging to see that their fears are lessening as they enjoy simple pleasures such as leisurely strolls along the shore with their families.

The panorama is now unrestricted along one side of the bay. A piece of land, where once stood a family's home, has been smoothed and trimmed of the rubble that remained. Sadly this now removes what was left of Ratu’s house and the memory of his home, wife and two small children, their lives were also taken with the building. He often sits alone on a small, white, plastic chair, a lingering possession of his former household, and gazes pensively towards the ocean. His thoughts are his own and it’s difficult to imagine the depth to where his sorrow leads. Ratu must look towards his future and that of his two remaining sons, he does so with an admirable quality and as far as we can help him we will. Next week should see his boat and livelihood returned so he can begin to work again, at his own pace, with the rest of the fishermen from the bay.

There is still a long way to go before restoration is complete and many projects are due to begin. What we have seen is a general rising of spirits developing from the examples we set. People are taking their own responsibilities further and working enthusiastically with their resources and exceptional courage to re-establish lost elements of their lives.

And so a chapter closes on sweet Talalla Bay, its narrative thread pulling a small step closer towards its end.

A Humble Beginning

noreply@blogger.com (Jess Brown (Photography), Hayley Maynard (Story)) — Mon, 21 Feb 2005 15:53:00 +0000

Planning to reconstruct is daunting, especially when the finished picture seems so far removed. It’s through moments like these shown that make all our efforts worthwhile. Giving back to the people, small tokens of what was lost, is amazing and to be able to meet their faces, smiles and extreme gratitude reconfirms how much of a difference we are making.

Distributing aid directly to the people in their homes, even at a basic level, has caused some problems. It’s so easy to jump in feet first when the agenda is to give and then to give more, and what might seem an effortless task in theory suddenly becomes a mission, firstly in deciding exactly who to give to.

We visited houses to see how many people were sleeping without mattresses, which also revealed the extent of families ‘doubling up’. In some cases up to 13 people reside together in half sheltered accommodation.

Forty mattresses were handed to households in both villages, an exciting event that encouraged a local following in procession behind the delivery van, although this too caused some discomfort in the village. We were providing for the families that needed mattresses immediately and so there were subsequent feelings of upset and jealousy for those who didn't receive. We have now assured that each family will receive a mattress over the next week.

Gas cookers were distributed to a few of the poorer families living in houses with extensive damage and who have no direct income. The ladies were grateful, an escape from cooking over their makeshift fires in the over-bearing midday heat. Although there are still some families who need stoves many people in the village happily cook the old fashioned way with cooking pots over fire, this, it seems, is perfectly adequate providing there is suitable shade.

School children throughout Sri Lanka are always dressed immaculately in starched white or white and blue, uniform is regarded highly.

Consequently there is a minimum required for children to be able to attend, this includes material; white or black shoes and socks; books; pens; bags; mathematical equipment; water bottles and umbrellas, which are a comfortable necessity in the afternoon heat. Schools have been lenient since the tsunami but parents are still desperate to provide their children with the materials.

We have already supplied Talalla Central, the smaller village, with most of these items and have just finished documenting the names, ages and size of all the children in Talalla, so that we can distribute to them at the end of the week. The drawn out pace of daily life in Sri Lanka is exaggerated further in this remote village and its surrounding towns and so purchasing items for only 13 students took some time. After a long day the mission was accomplished and we reaped the rewards by giving back to eager young faces, their uncontained excitement so moving.

Back on the Water

noreply@blogger.com (Jess Brown (Photography), Hayley Maynard (Story)) — Fri, 11 Feb 2005 15:05:00 +0000

At the brink of dawn in Talalla South, before the sun formally rises, a faint shadow stretches across the bay through dignified palms disguising much of the destruction that was caused. This is the magic of Sri Lanka in its former glory and a scene difficult to rival.

At this time too, while most of the village is stirring, two fishing boats can be seen across the hazy skyline. Men returning from their morning’s work, at sunrise. Although only two boats in the village were salvaged from the wreckage the scenes demonstrate a new hope rising over Talalla.

Friends stay on shore, waiting to view the morning’s catch. Padmalal and Saman use local boats and were the first to courageously venture back onto the water, many others, after six weeks, are still too afraid. This is a community torn apart but pulling together in spirit, making the most of the resources that they have to be able to fish and supply for their families.

An official count tells us that 145 heads of households in Talalla South are in the fishing trade. Men can be seen sitting around on broken boats still scattered closely to the beach, their broken lives ripped apart. Despite the small steps already taken there is still so much to achieve.

Getting people back on the water is a primary objective. An interviewing process was conducted to ascertain how many boats, nets and engines were lost in the village. They are expensive to replace and our budget allowed 12, many of the fishermen work in partnerships and this covers all of the boats in Talalla South. We hope to replace those from the surrounding areas for the people who also use Talalla beach as their fishing port.

The boats and engines have been ordered and will hopefully arrive soon, but movement in Sri Lanka is slow, a way of life even after disaster, which can frustrate our western sensibilities. But any pace means that progress is made and with each new sunrise arrives a fresh hope for Talalla.

Still Clearing & Making a New Start

noreply@blogger.com (Jess Brown (Photography), Hayley Maynard (Story)) — Wed, 09 Feb 2005 13:58:00 +0000

We have sourced a new village to begin clearing known as Talalla Central. The initial work in Talalla continues but is almost complete.

There is a lot still to clear around the circumference of the beach and the team we have placed there are moving quickly. Until now many locals have been afraid to go near the water but it’s encouraging to see that they're beginning to return. Their confidence grows, and the former beauty of the bay will soon be restored. Damaged boats and matter cast from the wave lie scattered, but step-by-step all should soon be cleared.

Talalla Central is still entirely devastated, they haven’t yet received any aid. The village is smaller and more manageable as only 47 people reside and the locals are so grateful to receive our help. They have started work with fresh enthusiasm and positivity.

As there are three teams now to supervise much organization is required. Our trusty translator Ratner sets objectives each morning and the team listens on intently.

Personal Stories

noreply@blogger.com (Jess Brown (Photography), Hayley Maynard (Story)) — Sat, 05 Feb 2005 12:46:00 +0000

The ladies in our clearing team are applying extraordinary efforts. They work hard all day but with a sense of pride and determination when considering what has already achieved. The village has almost been cleared throughout and we have started to attend to areas surrounding the beach. Days are long and can be exhausting but the team pulls together and hardship is relieved through songs and companionship, offering a wonderful sense of light relief to each long day. Morning ‘tea time’ breaks are always well received.

We have started to visit some of the houses in the village to try and gauge an understanding of what they have been through and lost. This of course was extremely harrowing and brought home the severe reality of everything that occurred. Somawathi Edirisinghe spends much of her time locked away. The wave hit her house from an angle that ripped through the kitchen and although the remainder is standing well she has lost all electrical power and lives in darkness as there is little light reflecting through her boarded windows. Sadness is eminent in her face entirely and through her eyes you see the very weariness of her whole being. Despite losing her baby, which is the immediate grief she suffers, at 56 years old there is little way for her to support herself or to find support when she is older. Tradition dictates that children usually look after their elderly parents in later life. We hope to find Somawathi a job that she will enjoy both as a source of income and something to occupy her time and that might eventually lift her out of her present reality and the darkness reflecting what her world has become.

Komeighan (Kome) Edirasinghe’s father is pictured in his kitchen, which was ripped apart. Water level stains were marked inches above my head and according to Kome the house and possessions were submerged for approximately four hours. Although, thankfully, the six members of his own family survived, tragically a young child from a neighbouring house was swept through with the kitchen wall and died in an adjoining room.

Alongside the traumas there is a reaffirmed sense of hope and the locals are genuinely grateful and assured with what we are doing, especially as work is moving quickly. There are so many characters to be found residing here both young and old and their gentle intriguing natures make for a diverse and colourful village.

These machines pictured below have been part of Talalla's industry now for 25 years. We have ordered enough to equip the entire district with those that were lost.

Getting to know Talalla

noreply@blogger.com (Jess Brown (Photography), Hayley Maynard (Story)) — Fri, 04 Feb 2005 08:13:00 +0000

Forming relationships with the locals has been such a rewarding experience, the boundary of local to outsider was easy to bridge through their receptiveness. Despite everything there is such an air of positivity in the village. Movement is happening all around and the people, who truly are so warm, make everything much easier for us.

Significant progress had been made, and it was pleasing to see unhindered areas and pathways being formed. Yesterday morning seemed hopeless but, in fact, with everyone pulling together we can definitely achieve. Most of the people work quickly and passionately and moral has been lifted already, it helps for them to see that we are very willing to get our own hands dirty.

We distributed a few schoolbooks and pens to the mothers on our working team. It’s saddening to learn that many children cannot go to school without pens and books, and, of course, these items are not entirely robust enough to survive a few hours submerged in water. Certainly an area to focus on once we are more familiar.

A working boat was finally lifted and launched back onto the water today, a symbol of hope and progress for the village. This was perhaps the only boat saved from what was once a thriving fishing village.

Discovering the Village

noreply@blogger.com (Jess Brown (Photography), Hayley Maynard (Story)) — Thu, 03 Feb 2005 07:29:00 +0000

We arrived in Talalla Bay on the 3rd February, five weeks after the tsunami had hit. The site that took hold was one of pure ruin, most houses knocked down completely or damaged beyond recognition, few remain unharmed.
People sit around and sift through broken piles of rubbish adjacent to their homes - or what is left of them - to see what can be salvaged, scrambling for anything they can find.

Clearing the massive debris left from the effects has been our first objective. A tumultuous task in itself as devastation is still rife. We employ up to 25 workers daily so that they are able to earn an income, this eventually might see their lives returned to some level of normality while we ascertain who needs help.

It is predominantly women who arrive to work each morning and their sense and undertaking of the task in hand is overwhelming. With inappropriate tools – sticks, broken brooms and gloves - the women scrape and tear at rubble. At first glance moral seems very low but you only have to speak or gesture with universal actions and their beautiful smiles take hold. It really is astonishing to hear their stories, told through gracious faces that mask incredible suffering.

In the village some piles have now been formed and lie smouldering, whilst much of the area is still blanketed in rubble. After day one the task is seemingly hopeless in the chaos. Once the area has been cleared we will make steps towards the next stage of reconstruction.
We worked with the women for most of today, building bridges and earning trust, which seems to come so effortlessly to these wonderful people.

From Colombo to Talalla

noreply@blogger.com (Jess Brown (Photography), Hayley Maynard (Story)) — Wed, 02 Feb 2005 07:19:00 +0000

The coastal drive south from Colombo to Talalla Bay unveils area after area of devastated land, where little is being done in the way of reconstruction. The people sit, where their houses once stood, waiting for aid to reach them. That promised by the government is at the moment still in planning.

The people village by village are desperate for help and so drawn to us each time we stop, hoping that we have something to offer. Their innate understanding is surprising. After explaining that we were on our way to help another village, they replied courageously “yes you help your village, we wait for somebody else to come and help ours.” This we have learned is the only way to achieve progress. To start with a small area that you can feasibly manage and rebuild from there.

The further south we headed the deeper the devastation became. Boats are torn and strewn along roadsides with rubble and debris from collapsed buildings.

We drove through Telwatta on the drive down which hosted the phenomenal de-railed train wreck, and offered our first insight into the volume of devastation. The desolate, crumpled frame of solid iron had been re-erected and of the 2000 (counted) passengers on board, only 3 survived. This site has become a shrine, both to the unnamed victims of the wreck and the effects of the tsunami itself.

We continued on through more towns and witnessed further ruin. Havoc had been wreaked everywhere and the people were left with little hope.

Team Talalla

noreply@blogger.com (Jess Brown (Photography), Hayley Maynard (Story)) — Tue, 01 Feb 2005 05:19:00 +0000

Laurie Rose- Team Leader

Hayley Maynard- Journalist

Jess Brown- Photographer

Alexander Sima- Diplomat

Tony Reaiche- Buddhist

Map of Talalla

noreply@blogger.com (Jess Brown (Photography), Hayley Maynard (Story)) — Tue, 01 Feb 2005 04:36:00 +0000