Sri Lankan President Lauds JDC’s Housing Complex Project

All sectors of Sri Lankan society are feeling the positive impact of JDC’s post - tsunami relief efforts, from local villagers to high-level government officials. On March 28th, in a dedication ceremony for the opening of the Lagoswatte Eco-Village — a new housing complex for 55 families who lost their homes in the Tsunami — Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse acknowledged the efforts by JDC and Sri Lankan NGO partner Sarvodaya: "The village development concept based on the principles of environmental, social and economic sustainability is a model to be replicated throughout the island."

JDC, with its vast know-how in developing community centers around the globe, was delighted to partner with Sarvodaya to develop Lagoswatte Eco-Village into a cohesive community. Funds collected from the outpouring of generosity from the American Jewish community after the December 26, 2004 tsunami were used to construct a multi-purpose community center that includes a village bank with a micro loan program, a community hall, a vocational training facility, a playground, a pre-school, a communications center and a library. This playground is one of 85 playgrounds being built in partnership with USAID, Sarvodaya and the Bush-Clinton Fund, providing children a safe place to play outside while their parents attend activities. The whole complex will be serving thousands of villagers in the area.

What is most unique about the development of the village is that beneficiary families participated in the planning, construction and design of the project and will continue to contribute their skills to income-generating activities, such as carpentry, fishing and masonry, as well as unskilled labor.

"Lagoswatte Eco-Village's uniqueness and importance is because it is not simply about rebuilding houses for tsunami survivors, but gives the survivors a chance to create a brand new community of their own," said JDC's Sri Lanka representative, Mandie. "This reflects the very essence of JDC's approach to development."

The village itself was designed to provide a model for a self-contained, sustainable village life. Houses in the village have been designed according to United Nations Environmental Protection standards, employing renewable energy sources, rainwater collection and recycling of non-biodegradable waste.

A new community of homes will house 55 families dislocated by the 2004 tsunami. Prior to moving to Lagoswatte, these families were living in shanty towns on the coast, and the opportunity to relocate to permanent housing provides them with an enormous step forward in their quality of life.

"I have a new life here," says Natharie, aged 26, holding her 2 and a half year-old son. "My husband was disabled during the Tsunami so now he cannot work. I hope to try and sell some fish in the village. Not only do we now at least have a home, we also have a place we can meet together and discuss our problems — and maybe find solutions," she says pointing inside to the large meeting space in the center.

April 2006