Operation Phoenix helps reshape and rebuild Seenigama

People all over the world have taken action to help victims of the Tsunami, so it didn't' seem out of the ordinary when Ewan Wilson, a young, influential city councilman, in Hamilton, New Zealand, showed up in Sri Lanka to see what he could do.

Within days of the tsunami, Wilson flew here to determine what kind of medium to long-term work he could do in the most stricken areas. Prior to leaving Hamilton, he used his influence on the local health board to get antibiotics, which he brought with him. After a site survey of the country, Wilson decided he should get a team of builders in on the ground for rapid response building of 30 houses.

He returned to Hamilton to raise funds and find volunteers. Overwhelmed by the response, he raised NZ$90,000 in 10 days and garnered commitments from 14 Kiwis eager to lend a hand. Each made a commitment of three to four weeks in country.

Wilson also received in-kind donations, airline tickets and free inoculations for the group as well as tools. Everyone had to fundraise. C.F. Reese Plumbing and Ideal Electrical are sponsoring four of their employers during their time in Sri Lanka.

All told, within five weeks, Wilson had a team completely ready to get to work. Then became the issue of where to go, exactly.

Wilson intended to work further south; however organizations already on the ground weren't as receptive to the idea of Operation Phoenix thus they found themselves unable to set up camp as quickly as they had planned. Richard Bowater, the group's project manager, was heading to meet Wilson when he learned of this issue. A friend suggested Bowater go to Seenigama and meet Kushil at the Foundation of Goodness. Doing so, he discovered a way to make an immediate, significant difference. And so Operation Phoenix found its home in Seenigama.

"I cannot stress enough the invaluable contribution made by the members of Operation Phoenix," Kushil Gunasekera, founder and trustee of the Foundation of Goodness, said. "These men have ignited a flame to kickstart the process of rebuilding and remodeling the village and I commend their tremendous support to make things happen for the good of our village."

The balance of the team arrived on February 14th. In addition to the three electricians, three plumbers and numerous carpenters; the group has hired about 25 local villagers to work with them on the building sites. Those villagers are getting paid top dollar. Also, 10-15 Western volunteers are helping on a daily basis.

"We discovered the ability to repair quickly so now we're looking at between 43 and 48 houses," Wilson said. "Our goal is to get people back into the house they're familiar with."

The group is building five from ground zero; another five from scratch; and thirty-eight rebuilds/significant repairs. They finished their first home on March 14th and gifted it to S.H. Priyantha, his wife and five children, complete with a ceremony of dancers, music, blessings and the symbolic planting of a mango tree.

"It was an opportunity to bring together communities from all across the world," Christopher Bennett said. "It was an incredible experience that meant a huge amount to the guys."

In addition to their own work, the group ordered 2,500 cement blocks from the Foundation's Livelihoods committee which is overseeing the five machines recently installed in the village. They also intend to gift the tools they've brought with them to the locals when it comes time to leave.

Very quickly, with banners flying in two areas of the village, the Kiwis have become a welcomed site to Seenigama villagers. Their expertise is helping locals getting first-rate experience on building sites. The idea is that the locals assist one another with each other's houses and repairs. Their hard-working ethic is inspiring locals to find the spirit in doing such work in such difficult conditions. Though language can be a bit of a struggle, everyone works to make an effort. Even the children are happily getting into the action, assisting with whatever small tasks they can. Colin Horsfield, logistical and supply coordinator, sums it up this way: "The right people turned up at the right time to do the right thing."

"Ultimately, it is through serving others that we become fully human," Gunasekera said.

Upon arrival in Seenigama, the group was taken aback by the devastation. It's not comprehensible until it's seen for the first time. But knowing that they could make a difference in just one day kept everyone buoyant from the beginning. To deal with what they're experiencing, the group has casually adopted a very open policy about sharing their thoughts and feelings. As he states matter-of-factly, "We're never embarrassed about having to say something."

Evenings spent reflecting on the day's work, over a cool drink at the ocean's edge, this group of down-to-earth tradesmen know they're experiencing something that is changing their lives. And everyday when their truck leaves the village at 5 p.m., waves and cheers from villagers along the road remind them that not only are they building houses but they're also helping a community rise from the ashes.

MEMBERS OF OPERATION PHOENIX:

Benjamin Akehurst
Christopher Bennett
Nicholas Bennett
Sean Bilbe
Richard Bowater
Christopher Burgess
Colin Horsfield
Andrew MacDonald
Stewart MacDonald
Wayne MacDonald
Brian Meekins
Scott Morrow
Brian Thompson
Brian Walton
Ewan Wilson