Trip Dates

Feb 1-14, 2006
April 1-14, 2006
June 1-14, 2006
July 1-14, 2006
July 15-29, 2006
August 1-14, 2006
November 1-14, 2006
December 1-14, 2006

On December 26, 2004 , a tsunami struck the costal communities of Sri Lanka . The destructive ocean waves killed more than 30,974 people, destroyed thousands of houses, and displaced nearly 100,000 families.  The hardest hit victims of this calamity were the fishermen and their families who had lived in the costal areas for years. More than 7,000 fishermen lost their lives in this catastrophe and over 22,000 fishing boats were destroyed.

Now, even one year after this great tragedy and billions of dollars of promised international aid and support, many fishermen and their families are still lacking substantial assistance. Today, hundreds of fishermen families are facing tremendous uncertainties, and languish along the coastline in tents, makeshift huts, and temporary houses. Regardless of any design, almost all temporary shelters consist of just two small rooms which are often shared by four or five family members. This congested environment is not ideal for the health, education and social environment of the children.

As no tsunami rehabilitation work would be complete without offering a permanent shelter to these homeless people, we aim to construct homes for tsunami survivors – the fishermen families.

On the Humanitarian Trip

Since 2004, we have been running humanitarian efforts in Sri Lanka by building homes for fishermen families. So far we have completed 17 houses and 8 more houses are presently under construction ( see pictures of completed houses). Our humanitarian mission in Sri Lanka will continue. We will build more homes for the poor fishermen and their families who have survived the tsunami tragedy but lost their homes and belongings.

Volunteers with construction experience will be able to use their skills in this humanitarian trip. Unskilled volunteers will clear and remove debris from where the houses of the village once stood. This task involves breaking up and removing damaged foundations, and mixing cement, sand, and gravel. Volunteers work will also include lifting the cement blocks and assisting the masons, assisting the carpenter(s) with windows and woodwork, and keeping the concrete blocks moist. Volunteers may also be asked to help with other reconstruction-related activities.

Accommodation, Food, Transportation

Most of our projects are located in the Galle areas of Sri Lanka , nearly 2-3 hours drive from the Colombo international airport. Our representative will receive volunteers in airport and transport to the project sites. Volunteers will stay in local hotel. There are facilities of running water and electricity. We manage local food 3 times a day in a local restaurant.