Aid to the population continues four years after the tsunami
Galle (AsiaNews) – “Now we can earn our living with dignity and live happily. We are truly grateful to AMURT International for helping us in such an incredible way,” said Sunetthra Senevirathna, a 45-year-old woman from the district of Galle. Thanks to a donation of 5,000 SRL rupees (US$ 50) now she is able to set up her own business after taking an embroidery course.
About 560 people like her have taken similar vocational and micro business management courses offered by AMURT International, an NGO that arrived in southern Sri Lanka to help tsunami-hit communities.
Project coordinator Anura Ranatunga talked to AsiaNews about what they have done so far.
“On the basis of disability type and the needs of the community of origin we identified six different categories: poultry farming, coir-based products, sewing, powder spice, bangle and leather shoe making. At the end of theoretical and practical courses we provide basic equipment and the necessary material to start micro businesses at home.”
Yesterday AMURT’s graduates received their certificate and kits at the end of a ceremony held in the Hall de Galle seminar.
Bhola Sah, director general of the organisation created in India in 1965, told AsiaNews that “the purpose of the project is to enable the most vulnerable people become self-sufficient and economically independent through the creation of cooperatives.”
AMURT’s work for the local population began on 28 December four years ago, two days after the tsunami struck, and developed along three lines: emergency intervention first; infrastructural reconstruction second, and finally economic support for individuals.
In yesterday’s ceremony Galle’s district secretary, Asoka Jayasekara, acknowledged the importance of the work done by the organisation.
“Many NGOs came in Galle district in the wake of the tsunami, but I must say that AMURT was one of the main ones to work with government agencies in implementing projects.”
.png)
