In traveling throughout the tsunami affected area again, it was sad to see so many people still living in temporary housing.  While not as many people were living in tents, thousands are still living in mostly wooden temporary housing.  Rebuilding of permanent housing remains a high priority, but unfortunately has been progressing at a very slow pace.  Hopefully, in the months to come, the number of permanent houses rebuilt will increase significantly.

It was wonderful to be able to visit the Volunteers of America of Los Angeles Nursery School which opening in late May 2005. This school located on the eastern coast of Sri Lanka is serving 46 children and is helping these children and their families move beyond the tragedy of the destruction caused by the tsunami.  We wish to thank Shiva Charity, Room to Read and SWOAD for collaborating on this project and making this school a reality!  We have made a long-term commitment to provide operating funds to this school in an effort to assure that this school will be able to provide greatly needed childcare services to children and families in this tsunami affected area for many years to come.  

We also awarded an educational sponsorship to a medical student from the southern coastal town of Hambantota who lost his father and brother during the tsunami.  This jeopardized the ability of his family to maintain their livelihood and for him to continue with his studies.  We have provided him with an educational scholarship to help pay his expenses which will allow him to remain in school.  And, once he completes his studies in two years, he will be able to use his medical degree to help many other people in need.

And, as in previous visits, emergency food was distributed throughout the tsunami affected areas of the country.  In addition to providing needed nourishment to people in need, it was also an opportunity to interact with hundreds of people and show them that we cared about them.

For photos of August 2005 relief efforts, please click on the link below.