In September 2005 Koombi Construction was approached by Navajeevana development alternatives (NDA) a subsidiary of a well respected local NGO (Navajeevana), and asked to undertake 2 aid programs on their behalf. The first of these programs was to facilitate, oversee and manage the building of new houses for 63 beneficiaries, (all on separate sites) who lost their homes during the 2004 tsunami. (CBM funded)
The second program was to facilitate, oversee and manage the repair work for 105 beneficiaries, (all on separate sites) whose houses were damaged due to the 2004 tsunami. (BMZ funded)
Koombi Construction started both of these programs together on the 24thof November 2005 and completed on the 31st of March 2007.
Some progress photographs and an example of a case study prepared by Koombi Construction for the client are included here.
The family of Mr. Wanigabadu (38 years old) and his wife Mrs. Wanigabadu (36 years old) is supported by NDA/CBM under the so called home owner driven housing scheme or program. It means that they are building their house on their own private land under a self help scheme. NDA pays LKR 700,000,- i.e.$7,000.- on an installment basis. NDA supports such families further with the construction management/i.e. quality control/monitoring and their financial management for their own tsunami rehabilitation process and hence develops a sense of ownership for our beneficiaries.
Before the tsunami Priyantha and his wife lived with their four children Priyan their son (14 years old), second son Malin (11 years old), and Piumi their daughter (10 years old) and Mali (5 years old) in their house close to the shore in the southern part of the Kudawella village, Tangalle (Matara District).
When the tsunami hit the coast in late December 2004, Mr. Wanigabadu had just returned two days before from a 10-day fishing trip. He was meeting other fishermen at the Kudawella harbour on the morning of the 26th of December 2004. Meulet, who is a housewife and mother, was with her four children in the house. Having barely survived the devastating waves her husband found his way back home searching for his family. Hours later he found Meulet, Priyan, Milan and Piumi alive and safe, but sadly Mali did not survive.
Their house was completely destroyed with few pillars, tiles and stones left on the grounds. All their personal belongings, furniture, certificates and documents, and other items were washed away.
After spending days in a tent near their old house, they moved to a temporary shelter made out of wood with a 10 m² space for five persons and their leftover belongings. Living in this shelter was a heavy burden for the family and they decided to occupy an abandoned house in Kudawella until they will have the opportunity to build or receive a new home.
The household head had approached NDA in late August 2005 with the request, if NDA could give financial support when they buy a plot of land and to build a new house for them. After NDA had given a general approval for this family and other families in Kudawella, Priyantha and Meulet got together with three of their befriended and old neighboring families to find a large plot together, where all four families can build their new homes together. After two months of searching they found a nice plot only 2,5km away from Kudawella close to the Mahawella lagoon and close to Pahajava land where NDA is building houses for another 55 families from Kudawella. The land was large enough to be divided into four plots of 20 perch each, it is close to the main road, so that transport is not a problem and busses are reachable within a walking distance of 5 minutes. Since all families have children and Priyantha and Meulet wanted their three children to remain in their old school such aspects played an important role when they chose the land.
They had to take a loan to pay for the land and start the planning of Construction. NDA through our consultant Koombie Construction & Development Pvt (Ltd) and started to actively support Meulet and Priyantha in early October 2005. Our consultant had helped them to receive official approval for their building plans. Once all formalities where handled and complete the foundation stone was to be laid on an auspicious day (always to be determined by an astrologist). The day was set to be the 17th of October 2005. Once the foundation-stone for all four houses was laid, Meulet and Priyantha found a contractor and workers to build the house. The construction has been progressing very fast despite a very rainy November and early December 2005.
It was important for the family that the remains of their old house are included into their new home, so they removed remaining stones and pillars from their hold plot of land and the masons used the material. Their new home will be hopefully complete in another month.
The house was completed in July 2006, and the family are enjoying their new house and the peace of mind which comes with the distance from the sea.