Our Goal: To Build an Entire Settlement of 50 Houses

An estimated 200,000 houses were destroyed by the tsunami waves in Sri Lanka that now need to be rebuilt. The goal of Sri Lanka Tsunami Recovery (SLTR) is to build as many houses as we can with an initial goal of building an entire settlement of 50 houses in the Matara district, in southern Sri Lanka, on land allocated by the Sri Lankan government. These houses will cost approximately $2,250 and will be constructed at least 100 meters from the coastal belt as stipulated by the government.

We have partnered with the Help Sri Lanka Consortium (HSLC)--a local NGO based in Sri Lanka--to build these houses. Like us, HSLC is a volunteer based organization where all administration and overhead costs will be borne voluntarily by their members. This meets our goal of working only with organizations that will make efficient and cost-effective use of our funds.

The vision of SLTR and HSLC is to rebuild houses and communities for those traumatized such that they are not forced to step back to the past through semi-permanent houses with limited space and poor amenities. We plan to make use of this opportunity to build afresh, giving the affected proper houses, facilities, and public utilities, while contributing to the national goals of poverty reduction, protection of the environment, and the Millennium Development Goals of child mortality and maternal health.

We will focus on the Matara district in the South of Sri Lanka for this project. Once completed, we would like to also build houses in the East of Sri Lanka. Tsunami affected coastal areas in Southern Province Phase I SLTR is in the process of building 10 houses in the town of Weligama, in the Matara district. These houses will be part of a housing settlement of a 100 houses. Phase II We have also pledged to build an entire settlement of 50 houses in the town of Matara, in the Matara district. We are currently waiting for the government to allocate land for these houses and have started actively raising funds for this project. We welcome your generous donations!		Facts about the district of Matara The Matara district is on the southern coast of Sri Lanka and was severely affected by the tsunami. Affected Families: 20,675 Displaced Families: 3,268 Displaced Persons: 13,395 Deaths: 1,342 Missing: 613 Completely Damaged Houses: 2,362 Partially Damaged Houses: 5,659 Source: Dept of Census and Statistics, Sri Lanka, as of January 25th, 2005

One House at a Time

Sri Lanka Tsunami Recovery plans to build two-bedroom houses that are over 500 square feet at a cost of only $2,250 per house. HSLC is able to provide such a low price by using local materials as much as possible, eliminating overhead costs through voluntary work by project sponsors, and assigning the work to contractors who will work on a minimum profit basis. Please remember that every contributed dollar will go directly towards the cost of building a house. Details: Each house is approximately 533 square feet on 6 perches of land Includes two bedrooms, kitchen, living room, toilet, verandah, and utility room Includes the following amenities: electricity (seven light points, two 13 Amp plug points), water (3 Water Points), and sewage inclusive of waste disposal The house plan has been designed in such a way that it can be extendable. This allows the beneficiaries to add additional space in the future and, thus, does not foster an environment of complete dependence on aid. The house includes tiled roofing. A complete Bill of Quantities is available here. The house plan has been approved by the Urban Development Authority (UDA). Please note that the allocation of houses to beneficiary families will be done without regard to religion, ethnicity, or caste.

The HSLC plan calls not only for building houses for individual families, but also rebuilding the shattered communities as well. Those who have been traumatized by the loss of family members will need the support of the community, both psychologically and materially to rebuild their lives.

The project, therefore, will include:

• A Rehabilitation Center which will be the focal point of community rehabilitation (2200 Sq Ft and including furniture and fittings)
• A Community Centre (2000 Sq Ft and including furniture and fittings)
• Day care nursery, preschool and play area (1,200 Sq Ft and including furniture and fittings)
• Medical clinic and counseling center "Shop-Houses" (550 Sq Ft and including furniture, fittings and equipment)
• Economic Development Center (1800 Sq Ft and including furniture, fittings & equipment)

HSLC will build these amenities at an additional cost for every settlement.

Contact Information for HSLC

Gen. Kamal Fernando
Liaison Officer,
Help Sri Lanka Consortium,
42 Dickmans Road,
Colombo 5
Sri Lanka
+94 11 236-8975
apeyswarajya@yahoo.co.uk