While conditions have improved since my last visit, it was sad to see so many people still living in temporary housing.  Rebuilding of permanent housing is still progressing at a very slow pace.  Hopefully, the number of permanent houses rebuilt will increase significantly in the coming months.

I was able to visit again with the medical student who we are sponsoring with an educational scholarship and met his mother and rest of his family.  I am pleased to say that his studies are going well.  As the one year anniversary of the tsunami occurred during this month, it was a difficult time for him and his family.  I assured him we all wished him the best and shared the sorrow he and his family were feeling.

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

Discussions were also held with Sarvodaya, one of Sri Lanka's most respected charities, about sponsoring projects designed to help tsunami-affected individuals restore their lives and livelihoods.  These important projects will be evaluated and selected for funding in January 2006.

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