The association (hereinafter called “SLCAM”) launched a fund raising campaign soon after the tsunami disaster struck the island nation on 26 December 2004. Our donors comprise mostly of individuals—a majority of them from the Montreal area; however, one donor contacted us from as far away as Vancouver. Two Catholic churches and a Buddhist temple also donated a substantial sum from their collections. In addition, three different groups of musicians, which include some of our own members, donated their entire gains from a series of performances. Thanks to the generosity of all these donors SLCAM was able to raise over $30,000 in cash alone. Clothes, food and medical supplies were other forms of donation from individual and businesses, which we immediately dispatched to Sri Lanka to ease the burden.

SLCAM made several important decisions at the outset on the disbursement of this fund:

1. To help the victims directly and not transfer funds to other charities. The reasoning for this being that charitable organizations have considerable amounts of overhead costs and thus a part of all donations are used for administrative expenses. The SLCAM wanted to ensure that every cent collected would be used to directly aid the victim.

2. To focus on small projects in the tsunami affected areas and distribute the funds evenly across the island, as much as possible. Preference would be given to community projects rather than individuals. In this manner SLCAM could help victims of all ethnic and religious backgrounds, without bias. The association would scrutinize each and every project at the outset to ensure transparency and accountability with all recipient groups.

3. To network with friends and acquaintances to seek and select viable projects that would fit items 1 and 2 above.

4. To minimize SLCAM’s own expenses in administering this fund. The SLCAM was fortunate to have a founding member in Sri Lanka, who returned there a few years back. Through his courtesy, SLCAM managed to disburse funds directly to the victims. By transferring the funds to his current account at a bank in Montreal and withdrawing the allocated funds in Sri Lanka, SLCAM even saved on the typical fees charged by banks on money transfers.

Immediate assistance: On 29 December 2004, SCLAM transferred $500 to Sri Lanka for immediate purchase of medical supplies that was handed over to the Red Cross. Further, a consignment of water purification tablets was purchased for $300 in Montreal and was dispatched to Sri Lanka for distribution.

Planned projects: SLCAM received many requests by individuals and groups to help their causes. Upon carefully reviewing each request with a proposed plan and a budget, SLCAM selected 5 projects that represented evenly across the tsunami affected area. A sixth project to build a housing scheme in the Northern Province did not transpire due to the resumption of fighting between government forces and the LTTE.

The following outlines the five selected projects:

Item	Description	C$	SL Rupees
1	Supplied 25 double ‘bunk beds’ to an orphanage in Mirusuvil for 50 tsunami orphans who lost both parents—project undertaken by the Catholic Bishop of Jaffna (Northern province).	4,281	344,140
2	Built one house in Godagama (Galle) ‘*Asurum Piyasa’ Housing Scheme—a project spearheaded by a group of business people (Southern* province)	5,532	444,702
3	Purchased machinery for cement block manufacture for use in housing construction; sponsored by the Eastern Muslim Women’s Association in Sainthamaruthu, Amparai (Eastern province)	6,593	530,000
4	To furnish 14 houses due to be built with beds, tables, chairs, etc.; sponsored by Rahula College Old Boys’ Association in Matara (Southern province)	5,695	457,800
5	Assisted in “Skills Development for Tsunami Victims” project in Kalutara (Southwestern province), sponsored by Dr. Pramilla Senanayake. Many of the families lost the tools that they used to earn a living. The workshop will unleash human creativity. They will be taught skills such as candle making, embroidery, appliqué work and making baby clothes. Using the skills learnt these women can start to earn money by making these items.	4,852	390,000

Note: The exchange rate during conversion from Canadian dollar to Sri Lankan rupee changed at different times due to market conditions but averaged Rs.80.39 per C$.

Rahula College (Matara)

Furniture for Houses

Many Non-Governmental Organizations came to help in Sri Lanka’s re-building effort. Some built several housing schemes which were given over to the victims and left the country, while others continue their work on long-term tasks. Unfortunately, some of these houses which have been built have no furniture for the occupants. The Old Boys Association of Rahula College, Matara saw this need and campaigned to raise funds to purchase the essential furniture. The SLCAM responded to this request by funding the purchase of furniture for 13 houses. The OBA of Rahula College provided SLCAM a list of essential furniture articles. SLCAM funded this effort with $5,695.

Would You Like to Contribute?

Relief Efforts

It is never too late to help and contributions may still be made by transferring money directly to the Tsunami Relief Fund. Donations may be made at any CIBC branch or transferred from any other financial institution.

Account Number
15-74337
Transit Number
01131
Institution Number
010
Institution
CIBC

Please e-mail or call us with details of your deposit so as to acknowledge receipt.

Asurum Piyasa (Galle)

Godagama Housing Scheme

A group of Business executives in Sri Lanka affiliated in the packaging industry (namely: Sri Lanka Institute of Packaging, Sri Lanka Association of Printers and Ingrin Institute of Printing & Graphics) launched a housing project in Godagama—a small village in the Galle area (southern Sri Lanka). The aforementioned member had visited the project site and was impressed by the organization’s quality work. Therefore, considering the limited money it had, SLCAM decided to fund one house. This house, built with cement blocks and sheet roof, has 3 rooms, living room, kitchen, toilet, septic and water tanks—all at a cost of $5,532. (Visit URL: http://www.lankaprint.org/asurum_piyasa_phts.html)

Skills Development Program (Kalutara)

“Educate A Child”

Dr. Pramilla Senanayake has been doing good work for sometime in looking after the welfare of children. In the aftermath of the tsunami, she established a project in Kalutara (south-western Sri Lanka) under the title “Educate a Child Project: Skills Development for Tsunami Victims.” Many of the families lost the tools that they used to earn a living. For example they lost 24 sewing machines, 12 rope making machines, one set of masonry tools, 32 fishing nets, and a bicycle. The women in particular in the villages are hard working and talented. However, many of them need training in skills development for income generation. The workshop will unleash human creativity. They will be taught skills such as candle making, embroidery, appliqué work and making baby clothes. Using the skills learnt these women can start to earn money by making these items. They will also be taught marketing strategies and micro credit schemes. At the end of the training program the women will be provided small ‘start-up funds’. This money will be used to buy materials and also to get started with the micro credit scheme, giving these women will be given the chance to undertake responsibility to establish their own human dignity. SLCAM was pleased to provide $4,852 for this endeavor.

Orphanage in Mirusuvil (Jaffna)

Bunk Beds for Dozens of Children

Several children in Jaffna peninsula were left orphaned and homeless after the tsunami struck the area. The Catholic Bishop of Jaffna addressed the urgent need of caring for these orphaned children by providing shelter, clothes and food undertaken by the Nuns. SLCAM found out from Fr. Rajah (Toronto) -who had just returned from a visit to Jaffna in January 2005 - that the Bishop needed our help. Upon contact, the Bishop asked the SLCAM if it could provide beds for these children as they were sleeping on a hard floor. SLCAM was more than happy to supply these children with ‘bunk beds’ in compliance with the Bishop’s suggestion, so that they could use the space efficiently. At the time there were about 40 children at this place. SLCAM decided to provide 25 “double bunk beds” (with a small ladder attached) to accommodate up to 50 children.

A SLCAM member, during a visit to Sri Lanka, made a thorough investigation on the available local product and quality. Damro brand was selected as the most suitable, for it is made of iron for durability and ease of handling as compared to wooden products. They were ready for shipment 8 weeks after receipt of order. However, the shipment was delayed due to delivery logistics. A permit had to be obtained from the Tamil Tigers who controlled goods flowing through their checkpoints or else a tax would be levied. An incorrect assumption had been made by the shipper that such permission was still in waiting whereas the Bishop had already obtained clearance of the shipment. Thus, Damro Industries delivered the beds in November 2005 - a longer time than we anticipated.

ZAM ZAM (Amparai)

Cement Block Manufacturing in Sainthamaruthu

The Eastern Muslim Women’s Association embarked on a project to empower women in reconstruction efforts in the eastern area. One task in this project was to facilitate the fabrication of cement blocks to build houses. The women would earn a living by making these bricks while at the same time helping the construction work by supplying the blocks. In order to facilitate this effort, SLCAM funded the purchase of two units of block making machinery with $6,593.

Tsunami Reconstruction

The Sri Lanka Association of Canada

Item

Description

C$

SL Rupees