Palmera Projects
Tholil – Livelihood Project for IDP returnees in Akarayankulam
Amount Donated: $25,000
Project commencement: January 2010
Partner Organisation: Alliance Development Trust (ADT)
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Background
As of early October 2010, approximately 230,000 IDP’s have been released/resettled to their homes whilst another 71, 000 people continue to live with ‘host’ families. However, most of the resettled IDP’s (and those living with host families) continue to face problems such as:
Improper shelter - Many of the resettled live in temporary/transitional shelters that provide insufficient privacy for themselves and insufficient security against the harsh Sri Lankan climate (including the upcoming monsoon season)
Water sanitation issues - many villages/town’s water supplies have been destroyed/contaminated as a result of the war. People are falling very ill due to contaminated water and many of the returnees having to walk a few kilometres to fill a bucket of clean water just to drink.
Livelihood hindrance - many returnees have not been able to return to their work due to the war and devastation in their home villages and are unable to generate an income for their families.
Project Description
Palmera will be providing financial support to the ADT “Tholil” Project ("Tholil" is the Tamil word for "livelihood"). ADT will work with the vulnerable returnees from IDP camps in Akarayankulam in the Killinochi district to equip them with the materials, basic infrastructure and skills sets required to earn a sustainable income and effectively rebuild their lives. Equipping people in this way will include a combination of equity and financing, capacity building tools, technical training or infrastructure support. Not only will ADT provide 'starter packs' for those re-commencing their livelihoods in industries such as agriculture or fisheries, but they will also provide supporting services such as marketing for products, to allow sustainable livelihood activity with a lifespan far beyond the term of the project alone.
Project Monitoring
ADT will provide quarterly progress reports in relation to the Tholil Project, including photographs and personal stories from the families being assisted. As this project will commence operation in January, the first report will be provided in March – upon which Palmera will distribute information about the project implementation to all its members. ADT has also offered to facilitate Palmera members who wish to travel to Sri Lanka and see the work of ADT firsthand. Please contact Palmera if you would like more details about this.
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Description of Partner
Palmera Projects is working in partnership with ADT, a Sri Lanka implementing NGO. Since beginning operations in 2002, ADT’s key initiatives have been in the areas of livelihood to combat these issues. ADT's work in Sri Lanka centers around livelihood recovery, infrastructure development, water sanitation, child development, HIV/AIDS awareness, and peace & reconciliation.