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| Tsunami Dispatch from Batticaloa: Report 14
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February 15, 2006
Poonochchimunai
Sewing school
HHR staff (Vasanthan) do have a close contact with the 11 students who completed the training. Two of the trainees (Ms.Manju and Ms.Pamila) have been selected as trainers in another training center in a church at Kallady. Six of them sew their own clothes and clothes for their relatives. One of them stitches children’s clothing and night gowns and has taken orders from her neighbours. The other one stitches sarong for Rs.20 for her relatives.
Chithrangani told that she could not do any stitching this month as their house and garden are under water due to heavy and continuous rain.
Vasanathan informed them that if they stitch clothes he will market them.
Channel
HHR staff met Mr.Babu of the Municipal Council discussed with him about construction of a channel at Poonochchimunai. He said that Canadian Government has released funds to the Batticaloa Municipal Council to carry out this work and he thanked HHR for providing them the plan for the purpose. He further said that this work is to be commenced in February 2006.
Water tank
HHR had provided a water tank for use at the Poonochchimunai village. However, the well water is usable no one fills the tank.
Common building
HHR staff regularly contacted the divisional secretariat to find out the position of the application tendered for the common land at Poonochchimunai.
HHR staff summoned key individuals in Poonochchimunai - the president, secretary, treasurer and members of the administrative body of the temple and the president, secretary, treasurer and members of the rural development society in order to discuss the construction of a common building at Poonochchimunai. HHR staff explained them that the common building is going to serve the people of this village, so the people who will benefit must extend their cooperation to make it a success. The people accepted and said that they will support and help any work that takes place to improve the condition of Poonochchimunai.
Complaints of Poonochchimunai People
One Mr.Jeevaratnam said that only the officers from Home or Human Rights came to see them first when they were in the refugee camp and provided some help to them. Thereafter, they were photographed in the front compound of their respective houses and they were told that they would be helped. Subsequently, a course of training in sewing was conducted for some young women and sewing machines were supplied to those who followed the course of training. No help in any other manner was given to them.
The people living down 1st, 2nd and 3rd cross roads said that the Home for Human Rights is helping the people of 4th, 5th and 6th cross roads but they are not being helped. The other organizations which come there are also not helping them.
Cheddipalayam
HHR staff went to the Divisional Secretariat Kaluwanchikudy to obtain the authorization of the Divisional Secretary for HHR to do work at his area.
Washer families
The washer men said that they derive an income of about Rs.500 a day. One of them said “the people in the village have found employments of various types now. Therefore, they are utilizing our services to wash their clothes. For washing and pressing we charge Rs.15/- for a trouser, Rs.10/- for a verty or a shirt, and Rs.20/- for a saree. Assistance given by HHR when we were without income was of a great help. Our people are carrying on with the same profession. Some are working in road and building construction schemes started after tsunami, for a wage of Rs.500/- per day while their wives and children look after washing clothes. But it is not permanent.”
Sewing school
HHR staff frequently visited the sewing school at Cheddipalayam. The students are progressing with their training. It was decided that the sewing classes would be held every week day from 1.00 to 5.00 pm. These classes began 05.12.2005.
Attendants:
All the students were enthusiastically learning. On average 40 students were present in each class when ever HHR staff visited them. One trainee called K. Thamilchelvi had informed that she is unable to attend training classes as she is working as a Teacher under an Non Governmental Organization. When HHR staff discussed with the teacher about attendance, the teacher said that it would be better if we have regular students and not more than 45 students.
On 6th December there were only 24 trainees present in the sewing class. Rests of the trainees -17, are absent. All others were said to have attended seminars conducted by a certain organization regarding health activities and had gone to attend the certificate awarding function. Three days earlier, the students informed this matter to Sundram, the president of the fishing labourers’ society, but it has not been brought to the notice of the Teacher. The Teacher said that three have received the letter and the others have not, and therefore, she had asked the 17 trainees, who did not come for the classes, to bring letters from the HHR office. The teacher then asked Sundram if the students told him about their future absences. He said that he was not told and that the students made it up to escape the situation.
On 14th December there were only 33 trainees were present. Ten of the students were absent. Of whom, 06 were sitting the G.C.E.(O/L) Examination (2nd try or 3rd try). The child of one trainee had been ill and she had taken the child to the hospital and other three are absent due to personal reasons.
On the 26.12.05 the participated at the function held in commemoration of the death of 12 persons at Cheddipalayam North having been caught in the Tsunami. An alternative class was held on 23.12.2005.
The class was not held on 11.01.06 and was held on 16.01.06 and that the classes for 12.01.06 were held on 21.01.06.
The teacher was admitted to the hospital for delivery and was on two week leave from 16.01.2006.
Syllabus:
During this period the students learned basic stitches, joint stitches, embroidery, cut stitching while learning to fasten the pieces of clothes with the stitches in their graph book.
Supplies:
Two ordinary sewing machines, one sewing machine with special stitches and three plastic chairs were handed over to the sewing school.
During this period 90 pens, 43 rulers, 45 pencils, 5 pencil sharpeners, one ream of typing sheet, 45 file covers, 39 CR books, 40 graph books, one padlock, drawing books, 40 yards of tretrone, 135 yards of poplin, painting carbon, 84 sheets of cutting paper, 44 scissors, 30 embroidery thread, 71 reels of normal thread and 5 tapes were supplied to the sewing class.
Problems with the owner of the house:
Sewing school teacher has complained to HHR that one of the keys of the room given to sewing school is with the house owner, and she came to know that they open that room and making use of same room when the classes were not held; And she feared that the sewing equipments that students leave in the class may be lost in due course. She had further said that arrack was being sold around the place which may lead to complications.
HHR staff had a discussion with the house owner - V.Thangavel and the fishing labourers’ society. Mr.Thangavel said that he can give sewing school the adjoining room in place of the room that has been used, with a new pad-lock and the set of keys. He also said that sale of liquor does not take place there and that he will not permit any person to do such things.
When discussed about erecting a temporary shed for want of space, he said that he can erect a temporary shed if an advance of two months rent is paid to him.
Grocery shop of Mr.Vinayagamoorthy:
Mr.Vinayagamoorthy to whom HHR gave Rs.10, 000/- to set up a small scale boutique has put up the boutique and is carrying on business. His daughter is in charge of the boutique. His wife does all the purchases. They earn about Rs.200/- to 300/- per day.
Tea stall of Mr.Gopalapillai
Mr. Gopalapillai has repaired his old boutique at the Batticaloa Kalmunai road at Cheddipalayam.
He has purchased 4 chairs, one table, pots and pans, buckets, and for masonry work, bought 3 loads of sand, hot bricks, 2 wooden tables and 6 chairs and have painted the shop.
We advised him that he must run the tea shop in a good manner, save the income, he must give up all bad habits like consuming liquor and he must educate his children for the betterment of his children. Then he said that he would give up all bad habits and will set an example to others. HHR has given him SLRs.25000.00.
Fishing labourers association
A meeting of fishing Labourers Association was held on December 14, 2005. 26 fishing labourers were present. When discussed about their association, it was revealed that they are not in a position to register their association because two different associations of the fishermen can-not be registered in one Grama Niladhari Division. A constitution and the by-Laws have been prepared by HHR in respect of this. Parasuraman explained that they can ask for help from the Government and from the NGOs only if they are an organized group, and HHR can help to organize. He also told them that arrangements can be made to have contacts with the other organizations only through the association and once the association is well established, we can take steps jointly to seek necessary help.
Discrimination in rebuilding
People complained that the temporary houses erected by the SAREERAM organization are not suitable to dwell in during the rainy season. The people of the area stated further that as the SAREERAM organization has displayed a sign board saying Cheddipalayam-North Rehabilitation scheme –SAREERAM no other organization is coming to their area and also no help is reaching them. At the same time World Vision is providing all facilities to Cheddipalayam South area which has not been affected so much. The people requested if HHR can help them.
HHR staff went to SAREERAM and discussed with Mr.Logeswaran, head of the organization, matters relating to the temporary dwelling erected at Cheddpalayam. He told HHR staff that an application was made by the divisional secretariat to erect 102 temporary houses in Cheddipalayam North area, only a sum of Rs.32, 000 was allocated but the cost went to Rs.40, 000. He further said that if the roofs are leaking during rainy season the occupants have to repair it.
When discussed about the sign board SAREERAM had displayed, he said, that is not going to make any difference. He also said that they have written to the helping organizations that the people of that area are in need of help and that they must be helped. ‘We have also informed the Divisional Secretariat in this connection’ he further said.
Need assessment report of fishing labourers
HHR staff repeatedly contacted Mr.Sornalingam.
HHR staff assisted Mr.Sornalingam to meet 30 members of the fishing labourers’ society and to have a discussion with them. He explained clearly to the people that he needs to gain some knowledge in order to draw the report. He said that he needs to know the background of the village, back ground of the society, the problems seen here, and necessities, how to meet them etc and collected necessary information from the people gathered.
Manalchenai
During this period HHR staff could not travel from Batticaloa to Manalchenai as there were security problems.
Nasivantheevu
Women society
Restarting the women’s society
The society was lucky enough to get the pass book of our old account; Current Account No/A 363 with a balance of Rs.9330.50 as at 01.01.1988 and Saving Account No: 556 with a balance of Rs.1217.84 as at 16.05.1986. These accounts were renewed. The account numbers are savings account No: 1-005516-2 and the current account number is 0004077-2 in favor of the women’s association. It was decided that HHR would take the responsibility of purchasing of stationary etc. for the women’s Development Society of Nasivantivu.
110 women have obtained membership in the society. Eighty eight women have paid Rs. 24/- as their subscription fee. HHR has contributed Rs. 9504.00 to the society in the name of these 88 women.
The committee of the Women’s society met every month. The committee decided that all the obtained members of the Administrative Body must take part in all committee meetings and they must discuss with the co-members the opinions expressed at those meetings. It was said that in each meeting the president must express her opinions; the secretary must read out the minute of the last meeting the same must be adopted by the members; the Treasurer must read out the accounts report and that too be adopted by the members; those details must be embodied in the minutes; Opinions of the participants and the members must be included in the minutes with their respective names.
The society removed Ms.Saraswathy Krishnamoorthy from the post of treasurer and unanimously elected Ms.Yogam Sinnathamby as new treasurer. It was because of the reason that Mrs. Saraswathy was not functioning properly.
Tractor driving and boat mechanism Training for youth
12 youth have been selected to undergo driver training at the Nadheera learners at Valachenai. They are: Vanniyasingam Parimalakanthan, Thambirasa Dineshan, Suvethan Pradeesh, Sabapathy Niranjan, Yogan Sabesan, Sellathamby Nagendram, Kalikutty Suthaharan, Thangavel Jegan, Sabaratnam Thavarajah, Nallathamby Paranthaman, Vanniyasingam Vasantharuban and Manikkam Nithirkumar.
As the age of those which to undergo driver training should be above 18 years, the names of the two persons who were 17 years, were removed from the list with their consent. Sabesan suffers from heart disease and did not participate. Therefore, his name too was removed from the list with the consent of those participated in the discussion. Those who have completed the age of 18 years are eligible for CCDL and those over 21 years of age are eligible for A.D. type vehicles.
To undergo the training, the trainees have submitted original of the Birth Certificate, three copies of black and white photographs certified by the Grama Niladhari, photo copy of the National Identity card and Medical examination report.
It was accepted that the course of driver training will be undertaken to hold under the supervision of the women’s association so that the women’s association will be held responsible if any one gives up training halfway through. Participants were informed that they should sign an agreement to the effect that they will undergo the training without break and finish the same successfully, that the agreement should be signed by them as well as by their respective parents and by the members of the women’s society.
Initially for 7 days the trainees will be taught to drive motor bicycles in 14 days they will be trained in four wheel vehicles 14 days. Training on six wheel vehicles will be provided thereafter. Temporary license will be provided depending on their ability.
Thuraineelavanai
Widows association
Information collected revealed that most of the women who had lost their husbands manage to run their homes, by keeping poultry, catching small fish and prawns, selling rice, betel leaves and running small scale shops. All are living a hand to mouth life. Some said that their relatives help them when they are in need while others stated that they do not get any help from their relatives because they are also very poor.
Fishermen’s society at Thuraineelavanai is very interested in helping in the formation of widows society. They believe through this society they can seek what ever help they want. He further said that a decision will be taken on this matter in consultation with the Grama Niladhari.
Cleaning the lagoon
HHR staff repeatedly contacted Mr.Sornalingam.
HHR staff assisted Mr. Sornalingam to meet the fishermen in Thruraineelavanai. And have a discussion with them. He clearly explained to the people gathered about the necessity for him to get some idea about their need in order to write the report. He said that he should have an idea of the background of the village, back ground of the society, the problems seen here, and necessities, how to meet them etc and collected necessary information from the people gathered.
He also collected information regarding the damages to their lively hood caused by Tsunami.
Visit by the officers from Dutch Refugee Foundation
In December 2005 Ms. Loan Liem and Ms. Tirsa Hoftee from the Dutch Refugee Foundation(funders of this project) visited HHR’s Batticaloa office. They met the target groups in Cheddipalayam and in Thuraineelavanai.
Deteriorating Situation in the East
01. Hartals
There was a Hartal on 05.12.2005 in Muslim areas.
On 06.12.2005 Parasuraman, Sanathani, Jacob and Sasiharan, all set out to go to Thuraineelavanai. But there was an army barrier at the Periyaneelavanai preventing vehicles passing through Maruthamunai as two Muslim persons have been shot at Maruthamunai.
27.12.05 was declared a day of sorrow due to the brutal murder of Joseph Pararajasingam, member of parliament for Batticaloa and all the shops were to be closed for business.
On 05.01.2006 office did not function as all shops were closed for business and a day of sorrow was observed in protest of activities such as violence against Tamil people, sexual harassments etc., taking place in Batticaloa, Mannar, Vavuniya and the killing of five students in Trincomalee.
On 30.12.05 the situation appeared to be tensed as a day of sorrow and closure of all shops have been declared in refutation of the murder of a young woman having been sexually assaulted in Jaffna, burning a mother and her child at 100 houses scheme in Mannar, the murder of Joseph Pararajasingam in Batticaloa, innocent public being attacked in North Eastern province.
02. High risk situations
HHR staff could not go to the villages due to high security and tensed situations.
For an example security arrangements were very tight due to the funeral of late Mr.Joseph Pararajasingam.
On 19.01.06, a hand grenade was charged in front of the Batticaloa MPCS union and as a result the situation was tense around the area. Women police constables were injured in this incident. Around 5.00 p.m. on the same day another incident of a bomb blast took place at Thadavanveli and as a result the situation became worse. In this incident, 20 men of the security force were injured; one civilian and two of the security force had died.
On 20.01.06 as tension prevailed in Batticaloa town area due to the bomb blast that took place on 19.01.06, remained in office.
On 23.01.06 around 7.45 am an incident of a bomb blast took place at Air Port road near Urani, killing two personnel of the security forces and one member of the Rasik groups. Consequently, the situation was tense in the area. Again, a hand grenade was charged around 10.30 am at Arasady junction injuring one police officer. As a result, the situation became worse.
Information Technology
A proper network cabling was setup in Colombo Office by the ABC Trade & Investment (Pvt) Ltd. An IBM server was purchased and an Internet Security and Acceleration Server (ISA 2000 Server) and installed client computers, virus protection cards and configured them.
Website updates
The website has been redesigned and developed by Mr.Madrasmail Regan and now Mr.T.Parthiban is updating the website. www.hhr-srilanka.org
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