i) Vocational Training Centre
Soon after the devastating tsunami of Boxing Day 2004, Michael Wavell and Anthony Lewis visited the region around Matara in Southern Sri Lanka, one of the worst affected areas. As a result of this visit, Jersey Side by Side entered into an agreement with the Sarana Community Development Foundation to fund the construction of a training centre, which would enable the local people to learn new crafts, trades and skills.
The centre is now up and running with a variety of courses, many of which have been introduced to meet the demands of the local economy. These include sewing /dressmaking, welding, light engineering and house wiring. Protected agriculture, dairy production technology and organic farming have also proved successful, as has the pre-school playgroup programme.
In the future, Jersey Side by Side would hope to be able to contribute towards running costs for the training centre and, possibly, a roof for the nearby community hall.
Soon after the devastating tsunami of Boxing Day 2004, Michael Wavell and Anthony Lewis visited the region around Matara in Southern Sri Lanka, one of the worst affected areas. As a result of this visit, Jersey Side by Side entered into an agreement with the Sarana Community Development Foundation to fund the construction of a training centre, which would enable the local people to learn new crafts, trades and skills.The centre is now up and running with a variety of courses, many of which have been introduced to meet the demands of the local economy. These include sewing /dressmaking, welding, light engineering and house wiring. Protected agriculture, dairy production technology and organic farming have also proved successful, as has the pre-school playgroup programme.In the future, Jersey Side by Side would hope to be able to contribute towards running costs for the training centre and, possibly, a roof for the nearby community hall.
ii) Foundation of Goodness
The Foundation of Goodness was founded by Kushil Gunasekera, the manager and friend of Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitheran and is based in his village of Seenigama, near Galle. The Foundation and its many supporters, including many international cricketers, have been instrumental in rebuilding the village, which was all but destroyed in the 2004 tsunami. Mike Wavell and Anthony Lewis forged a link with Seenigama during their visit to Sri Lanka in 2005 and, as a result, Jersey Side by Side raised almost £30,000 towards the work of rebuilding and reconstruction. The funds were raised at a “cricket”dinner and auction in June 2005, attended by Kushil, Murali and Aravinda da Silva and, in 2006, during a “cricket” weekend, which included a dinner/ auction at the Hotel de France and a 20/20 match between the Jersey Island Cricket Club and an “Old England” team.
Money raised by JSBS has helped to rebuild almost 60 homes and establish new livelihoods for 30 villagers. It has also helped to construct accommodation centres at the new Sports Academy.
In addition, new links of friendship have been made through the sponsored visit to Jersey of a volleyball team from Seenigama and reciprocal visits to the village by people from Jersey, including Suzi Austin, who worked there as a volunteer.