Working in Sri Lanka

So, what am I actually doing here in Sri Lanka? This is a question I have begun to ask myself!

The purpose of the programme that sent me here is to provide sustainable assistance to aid development in an area that was affected by the 2004 Tsunami. More specifically I am working with a rural women’s organisation to help build their capacity. This means not just helping the organisation with tasks right now – though that is part of it – but also helping them to be a stronger organisation once I have moved on. Depending on the volunteer this can take various forms, but one of the areas I am hoping to work with them on is developing their strategic planning. Unfortunately, because of the unpredictable social and economic situation in Sri Lanka people are not that inclined to plan too carefully, so this will be a challenging brief.

So that is my role, but while I have been clarifying that I have also been beginning to understand what a rural women’s organisation does. Some of the main things they are doing at the moment relate to livelihoods, living conditions and empowerment and rights. Examples include setting up a brick-making company for low-income people, installing hygienic toilets in people’s homes and providing people with vocational training and motivation to improve their position. Last year for International Women’s Day they organised a procession for the local women through the town of Weeraketiya. They also do micro-finance work through their community based organisations, and all of the work they do specifically targets women, though men are involved too.

Much of the work they do is in partnership with international non-governmental organisations INGOs, who have provided so much anti-poverty funding in this area. They like to work with local charities who know the best way to get things done in the area and can target programmes at those that need it most. It has been really interesting to hear about some of the really valuable work that NGOs are doing here in Sri Lanka, but also get an idea about some of the challenges they face.

One of my first tasks here is to help the organisation complete a funding proposal – in English and Sinhala – for a major project. This is a great way for me to learn more about how things work and what my partner organisation will need to do to have a sustainable future.

Some pictures from my first couple of weeks.

Trying a new brick-making technique near Tangalla.
















This boy proudly showed me his mother's finished bricks




















The brick factory





















Opening of my local host organisation's new office in Weerekitya
















Boiling of the milk at special time.





















My colleague the lamp for the opening.