Livelihood Assitance in Sri Lanka

We completed our project at the Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi District in the north on March 21 with a 3 week extension. At the end of the project, we held handing-over ceremonies to officially deliver the provided items. This ceremony served as one of the turning points in JEN’s concept of “self-supporting livelihood.”

The ceremony was prepared and managed by local people who participated the activities and consisted of deferent colors depending on project sites. The method is traditionally based on Tamil, derived from the Hindu tradition. Examples include lighting candles by the guests, decorating the venue, painting a red point on forehead, etc. From March 22, we started a new project again in the Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi District.

Distribution of Water Pump

JEN Sri Lanka has been constructing 38 agro wells in the Mullative District and 10 agro wells in Killinochchi District. Normally, the rainy season starts from October to March and the dry season from May to September in Northern Sri Lanka. Recently the situation has changed recently in which the dry season may start earlier than usual as it has been sunny every day since January this year. During the dry season, when the water level is low, people need to prepare a heavy bucket at almost 10 meters to fill with water. Because this can be heavy and time consuming, we have been distributing the water pumps in hopes to alleviate the locals’ workload.

The ceremony of water pump distribution was held in three locations of Mullaitve District this time. When we arrived to the community hall in the area, there were many women waiting for us. In this area, one well is shared by 2-4 households. Water pumps with hose pipes had been handed over to each group, where they shared a well with a mother, who was ecstatic and grateful after receiving a water pump with hose pipes 12 meters long.

In this area, people sometimes carry water from the common well, more than 500 meters to 1 kilometer away from home.  Water is used not only for domestic purposes, but also for agricultural purposes. This being the case, people need to go back and forth many times during the day. In spite of the workload shared by the family members, the work still amounts to 5 to 6 hours a day.  In addition, it serves as heavy lifting for women and the elderly. Also, in dry season, the common well is dried up, causing people to downsize their farming areas.  By constructing agro wells and providing enough water, JEN will be able to decrease their binding hours and increase their crop yields, and therefore raise their income and instill positive changes in their daily lives.