ReachOut is the disaster relief project of the Rotaract Club of Colombo.
In the beginning operating as an independent committee, ReachOut was first formed in December 2004 on the Boxing Day to be exact. For most people, the day after Christmas, is the day to recover from the merriment of the previous eve. However, for most of coastal south Asia, December 26th 2004 was the day their world was torn apart. As wave after wave came crashing down, it brought with it incredible tales of death and destruction, so horrific that our minds could not comprehend.
Members of the Rotaract clubs of Colombo and Colombo Regent had already started collecting food and other supplies before 24 hours had passed and they were soon joined by the members of the OCS Alumni who were looking for an effective means of contributing to the relief effort. Accompanied by family and friends they formed ReachOut. The project consisted of three phrases; Immediate relief, Counseling & secondary items and Rebuilding houses and pre-schools.
In the Present day, The war, which has been raging for the past 26 years and claimed thousands of lives, took a turning point this year. This year (2009) has been the year of military victory by the current government over the terrorists and the military battle having come to its close. However, this victory has come with a price; thousands of people have become internally displaced.
Now, ReachOut meets a new need to serve, this time to help those internally displaced, rebuild their lives.
Donate to help rebuild the lives of the Internally Displaced!
The war torn North and the East of Sri Lanka destroyed the livelihoods, infrastructure and the economy of the two provinces, bringing about a complete change to the lifestyle led by the inhabitant people. It is estimated that, there are over two hundred thousand (200,000) internally displaced persons in the recent past (the last four to five years), excluding the figures which were reported last year.
Currently aid is flowing to Sri Lanka and most of the needy are being fed and sheltered in camps. However, currently the next phase of concern is the health and unsanitary living conditions of these internally displaced persons. Afterwards, the true test will of course be rebuilding their lives, their homes, their livelihood, and their peace of mind. It will take some years to recover from the effects of the disaster.
In the beginning operating as an independent committee, ReachOut was first formed in December 2004 on the Boxing Day to be exact. For most people, the day after Christmas, is the day to recover from the merriment of the previous eve. However, for most of coastal south Asia, December 26th 2004 was the day their world was torn apart. As wave after wave came crashing down, it brought with it incredible tales of death and destruction, so horrific that our minds could not comprehend.
Members of the Rotaract clubs of Colombo and Colombo Regent had already started collecting food and other supplies before 24 hours had passed and they were soon joined by the members of the OCS Alumni who were looking for an effective means of contributing to the relief effort. Accompanied by family and friends they formed ReachOut. The project consisted of three phrases; Immediate relief, Counseling & secondary items and Rebuilding houses and pre-schools.
In the Present day, The war, which has been raging for the past 26 years and claimed thousands of lives, took a turning point this year. This year (2009) has been the year of military victory by the current government over the terrorists and the military battle having come to its close. However, this victory has come with a price; thousands of people have become internally displaced.
Now, ReachOut meets a new need to serve, this time to help those internally displaced, rebuild their lives.
Donate to help rebuild the lives of the Internally Displaced!
The war torn North and the East of Sri Lanka destroyed the livelihoods, infrastructure and the economy of the two provinces, bringing about a complete change to the lifestyle led by the inhabitant people. It is estimated that, there are over two hundred thousand (200,000) internally displaced persons in the recent past (the last four to five years), excluding the figures which were reported last year.
Currently aid is flowing to Sri Lanka and most of the needy are being fed and sheltered in camps. However, currently the next phase of concern is the health and unsanitary living conditions of these internally displaced persons. Afterwards, the true test will of course be rebuilding their lives, their homes, their livelihood, and their peace of mind. It will take some years to recover from the effects of the disaster.
ReachOut has launched an appeal to help those whose lives have been devastated by the war. Your contributions will go towards the residents of Manik Farm, Section C which is currently (approx) 2500 people have been relocated there.
The three main objectives the ReachOut team hopes to achieve are:
· The building of a total of 100 toilets, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Colombo Regency, providing immediate basic sanitation.
· Conducting a health camp, specifically hearing tests - Many are suffering from varying levels of hearing loss as a result of the heavy shelling and blasts in close vicinity to them.
· Once all residents have been tested, all those requiring hearing aids will be provided with the necessary equipment, thus, improving their quality of life.
Remember those who lost their lives, Remember those who are still living. Remember that, they still need Our Help!
Reachout. Lend a hand. Make a difference!
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