Rebuilding Lives Project

The Rebuilding Lives Project offers a psycho-social support programme for the emotional welfare of the villagers following the trauma of the tsunami, its devastation and its aftermath. It offers counseling sessions for the village community and continuous self-development programmes to build up their self-esteem and confidence.

Looking Back

 “Do you think another tsunami will come? It would be great if I didn't have to wear my life jacket to bed anymore. I worry that the waves might come while I'm sleeping.”
~ A villager living in Seenigama, whose name we would like to remain anonymous (said to one of the Foundation's volunteers, in the hope that she might know whether another tsunami will hit Sri Lanka's shores)

It's comments like the one above that demonstrate the continual traumatic affect that the tsunami experience had on the villagers of the Seenigama region, even almost two years after that tragic day. In fact, fear of another tsunami is still rampant throughout the community. At that time almost monthly, there was a tsunami scare, initiated by a rumor or news of an earthquake, or perhaps even the sight of a large wave on the horizon. After such a horrific experience, when the villagers hear of the possibility of another tsunami, naturally, they run for their lives inland to the Seenigama temple - the original location of refuge for the villagers on that tragic day.
Whist, directly after the tsunami, the Foundation of Goodness facilitated a number of mental health and psychosocial support projects in the Seenigama region, the trauma continues to be felt by the villagers in a variety of ways. As is the case in most tsunami-affected areas, some villagers have turned to alcoholism, drug abuse, domestic violence, sexual abuse and other avenues as a way to escape or release the pressures felt from their very traumatic experiences. The Rebuilding Lives Project, now well established in Seenigama, has strived to alleviate these fears and minimize the adverse affects on the villagers after the tsunami, as well as to provide general mental health care.

Looking back
On Thursday 10th August 2006, the Rebuilding Lives Project (RLP) officially joined the Foundation of Goodness as its new mental health arm. The project is generously funded by a range of national and international donor groups, including the Buddhist Church in Philadelphia and the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), which will be funding the project for the next year. Special guest on the day was Melania Cacho from the UNICEF zonal office in Galle, who was invited to inaugurate the merger between the Rebuilding Lives Project and the Foundation of Goodness.

The Rebuilding Lives Project was first established in July 2005 through Founders, Malkanthi Hettiarachchi and Dr. Shanthikumar Hettiarachchi, with the support of Evangeline Ekanayake and Sister Canice Fernando (who train and supervise the counselors), Jeanne Maracek and other international supporters in the field of mental health work. Spurred by the tragic Boxing Day tsunami, this project commenced work in Akurala and Galle before joining the Foundation in Seenigama with the hopes of further widening its reach.

Due to the social stigmas still associated with mental health work in the rural communities, building up a client base in these areas was always going to be a challenge, even though many villagers desperately required an outlet such as this, particularly following the life-changing tsunami. Consequently, the aim of the Rebuilding Lives Project is not only to provide sensitive and confidential mental health care but also to break down the stereotypes and stigmas surrounding this work.

Originally, the RLP team was based in the Akurala Temple (in the village of Akurala, not far from Seenigama) and within the Muslim community in Galle. The Akurala temple was the most appropriate location to see clients since visits to the temple by residents were not unusual and it provided villagers with the confidentiality required to discuss problems of a sensitive nature. Likewise, in Seenigama, the project is situated in a prime position for the villagers' easy access at the Foundation of Goodness’ MCC Centre of Excellence.

The team of local, dedicated full-time RLP counselors has been thoroughly trained in counseling and psychosocial support and is eager to commence building its client base in the area.
A clearly significant milestone for the Seenigama region, the Rebuilding Lives Project is sure to assist the villagers to move on from the dreadful experiences undergone as a result of the tsunami. Our utmost gratitude goes out to Malkanthi Hettiarachchi, Dr. Shanthikumar Hettiarachchi, Evangeline Ekanayake, Sister Canice Fernando, Jeanne Maracek, Mihirinie Wijayawardene, Champa Samanmali, the entire RLP counselling team and other supporters in the field of mental health work for making this project possible.

A Tribute to the Late Dr Padmal De Silva