|
|
|
|
|
Following the earlier report of the completion of 59 houses, PDG Mike Gelder has
recently returned from visiting the site. His full printable report can be read
here. |
 |
|
The village was much larger than he had expected.
He reports that after local delays, work had commenced on the remaining four houses
and the Community centre (pictured left). While he was there, roofs were fixed,
walls were plastered internally and externally, and the electrics installed.
|
|
The bakery and shop are operational and the tractor is delivered and working. The
brick making business, having finished making materials to build the houses and community
building, is now selling to others. |
 |
The District's funding is not just to provide buildings, however vital. It is enabling
ladies to set up clothes manufacturing, a bakery, medical centre, and after school
classes, and the men to start a small-holding as well as the brick-making. |
|
For this to be successful, cultural hurdles must be overcome. The young ladies have
to obtain their families' permission to work, and the men are not naturally leaders
in the workplace. |
 |
|
But with extreme poverty, where extended families have to survive on an income of
£6 per month, there is strong incentive for the people to make the project successful. |
 |
During the visit of Mike and his wife Margaret, they witnessed the second group
of young ladies begining their training in the sewing classes. In just two days
they made their new ‘uniforms’ (pictured left). |
|
Mike and Maragaret report that were welcomed into the houses of Christians, Hindus,
Muslims and a Buddhist monk, every time with great courtesy and hospitality. "It
was at times hard to believe that a few miles away Government and Tamil forces were
clashing. But Rotary crosses cultural and religious boundaries when it supports
those in need and our help has been very much welcomed in Thirokkuvil." |
|