Tsunami Disaster Relief Volunteers needed

Living Heritage Trust Chairman Manik Sandrasagra (left) surveys devastation in Kalmunai with AERO President Dr. K.L.M. Raeez.

Living Heritage tsunami relief volunteers Gaja Lakshmi Paramasivam of Australia (Living Heritage Project Manager in Mankerny, at left) and Mankerny Project Coordinator Julie Hall of USA (right).

AERO-Living Heritage meeting of 4 Feb 2005 at Living Heritage Trust field office in Kalmunai. LHT Disaster Relief Coordinator Patrick Harrigan (center) is seated beside AERO President Dr. K.L.M. Raeez at right.

Foreign volunteers are needed to teach English and basic computer operation in children's homes all along the east coast. For a list of children's homes visit www.Anathi.org.

Many concerned people around the world have expressed interest in coming to Sri Lanka at their own expense to contribute their time and expertise to help with the big task of helping some two million people to put their lives back together after the worst human catastrophe in recent times.

The Living Heritage Trust's mission continues to evolve and redefine itself. From at first merely rushing to see who died, who needs help, and delivering immediate relief in the form of cash, clothing and basic food items, we are now looking at accepting responsibilities far greater than we at first imagined. The enormous task of cleanup and restoring basic services is still in progress and will take months, if not years, to complete.

English speakers
There is indeed a need for English-speaking volunteers here. Even if you have no particular skill or experience, once you come here we can help you to apply what you know and what you can do to help people in coastal communities all over Sri Lanka.

For example, volunteers are needed who can work in an office environment drafting local relief proposals (urgently needed but also a long-term task). and teaching computer skills to young local volunteers here in Kalmunai. If you want details, write directly to Living Heritage Disaster Relief Coordinator Patrick Harrigan.

However, in today's global village, one does not have to be physically present in Sri Lanka to help. Even now, many of you are actively engaged in such relief activities as fund-raising and newsletter publishing from your home or office.

Tamil speakers
If you are a Tamil speaker, your services are even more vitally needed here, especially if you bring some additional expertise or experience, like experience with computers, social development, medical practice, or building construction. Even if your Tamil is rusty or poor, this is the opportunity of a lifetime for you to serve your community and establish a grass roots connection with whole families who never saw the inside of an airplane. Allow this opportunity to pass, and you may feel remorse for the rest of your life. Even without leaving your country of residence, you can serve the multitude who live in misery since the tsunami shattered their simple yet ordered lives.

Volunteers who have needed experience or expertise, may work directly with the Living Heritage Trust, or Living Heritage can place you with another local NGO here. Already volunteers from Australia and America are in the field on the east coast, and more are welcome. For details, contact Patrick Harrigan at admin@anathi.org.

HOW TO CONTRIBUTE TO LIVING HERITAGE DISASTER RELIEF

If you wish to contribute to relief efforts that will go directly to Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts of Sri Lanka, contact the Editor by e-mail at admin@anathi.org or cellular no. +94773184484.

Relief items (clothing and dry rations, etc.) should be delivered (locally) to:

Financial donations may be sent as follows:

Living Heritage Trust Tsunami Disaster Relief now reaching Trincomalee

Photos: Tsunami Relief team surveys Batticaloa district

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