After extensive discussions with government officials and the villagers, Barberyn took the lead in helping with the rehabilitation of the village of “Kadabaddagama” in the Weligama area. This village consists of 71 households. Eight houses had been completely damaged and six houses had been partially damaged. The majority of the households had lost their possessions. Many of the toilets and kitchens were fully or partially damaged.

Barberyn staff first assessed the damaged homes, one by one. Some of our guests were also able to witness first hand the damage caused by the Tsunami and the immediate needs. The initial assessment made clear that the people would like to leave the temporary shelters and return to their homes. Barberyn staff, masons and carpenters then started to repair and rebuild the homes including their toilets and kitchens in this village. The villagers were also involved in the construction process and took ownership of the project.

The majority of the villagers in Kaddabadagama went back to their homes at the earliest opportunity. Some spent their nights in the camp and their days in their homes for fear of a tsunami hitting them in the night.

Work in this village is now complete.

Having completed the rehabilitation work in Kaddabadagama we turned our attention to the next village called Midigama. This village was harder hit by the tsunami and many people were in refugee camps even after the Kadabaddegama villagers had returned to their homes.

We assessed their needs, speaking to the villagers and the local authorities on what was required. There were a number of legal issues concerning the ownership of property and these had to clarified before we started the building work. Nonetheless we started helping a few families with semi permanent shelter.

The Sahana Foundation built 4 homes with its own funds and built a cluster of 10 homes on behalf of the Ceyline Group of Companies (Walana Housing scheme).

Each new home has electricity, one or two bedrooms, a kitchen and a toilet and has brought joy to their owners.