Sports Program in Kalutara.

Our CCD (community capacity development) program is finally beginning to take form! The CCD program is spread out over 4 main areas (HIKKADUWA - where we live & where the Tsunami Project is based; GALLE - 30 minutes south; KALUTARA - 90 minutes north; and AMPARA - 9 hours east). Then, within each of those main towns, the program is trying to reach out to 4-5 villages or relocation communities... establishing and facilitating a whole host of activities that extend from the women's groups, men's groups, children's groups, and youth groups. For example: savings groups, sports programs, educational assistance, leadership training, moral development, cultural programs, awareness programs (parenting skills, HIV/AIDS, anti-human trafficking, health and nutrition), and livelihood training (English, computer, sewing, painting, service industry, masonry, & carpentry classes).

So! Mark - the CCD Coordinator - and I
have hired 3 "Outreach Officers" (for Galle, Hikkaduwa, & Kalutara), we have the Ampara Officer "in process," and after today's interview, may have (FINALLY) found a Child Development Program Director. An interesting problem we have faced in hiring qualified, experienced professionals who are committed to the communities -- is that those who are qualified were hired by big organizations (NGO's), paid 3-4 times what someone in their position would normally make, those big organizations have finished their "relief" work (now it's more about rehabilitation) and are leaving, but the local people quite enjoyed their MAMMOTH salaries (who wouldn't?), and now small church-based organizations like The Salvation Army can't afford to match those salaries. And so, we've found and lost a number of great personnel - due to the salary being a dealbreaker. We ARE learnering though... no more waiting until the person comes for the interview to discuss the salary. Now, we call to set up the interview, "Hi, we received your resume' and it looks good. What's your expected salary? Here's what we're working with... Still interested? Great. Come interview!"

After months and months of details, delays, and (I won't lie) disappointments - the sports program is off the ground and running in Kalutara!! Oh my - and it was sooo much fun! Nothing has the power to chase away the frustrations of politics and pettiness like spending time with some kids who are PUMPED about getting to PLAY.
Of course, they all told me their names, and I practiced them over and over - and can only remember one. First picture, red-shirted girl on the left -- that's Ameesha. She was really cute and energetic and had absolutely ZERO tolerance when I forgot her name or mispronounced it (her method worked!). Names or not, I am praying for their little hearts and minds and bodies... that this sports program will be a great opportunity for all sorts of positive growth, to experience the love of Jesus, and to just be valued as a child.

CCD Seminar, “Therapeutic Techniques for Counselors Addressing Abuse and Trafficking” The Community Capacity Development department of the Tsunami Project organized and hosted a 2-day seminar on February 2-3, 2007. The seminar was held at The Salvation Army's (TSA) Training College in Colombo and was designed to target all individuals working with community members, including various TSA staff, personnel, and leadership, as well as other community-serving organizations: Administrators, Community Counselors, TSA HIV/AIDS Counselors, Corps Officers, residential home Staff, and non-TSA personnel from CARITAS and PEACE.

( Above: Tucker Rader & Eranga Sudarshana, paired together during a counselor-client exercise.)

Through field-research, coordination with government workers / other organizations, and interaction with the community and TSA personnel, it became apparent that within tsunami-affected communities many people have suffered and remain vulnerable to abuse and human trafficking. Due to the loss of home and livelihood, many tsunami-affected individuals were powerless and extremely vulnerable while living in IDP camps, with neighbors, or family members -- completely depending on others to meet basic needs and offer protection.

This seminar was designed in an effort to 1) educate TSA staff about the existing problems and relevant issues, 2) build a foundation for educating the community, aiming at both prevention and response, 3) develop skills for helping others to address these issues, and 4) continue ongoing coordination and networking with other professional organizations who are also working in these areas.

Facilitators included Mark Edwards (Community Capacity Development Coordinator), Mindy Pierce (CCD Project Officer), Tucker Rader (Program Assistant), Chamani Edwards (HIV/AIDS Community Officers), and Sisila Samarage (HIV/AIDS Community Officers).

(Above: Mark Edwards explains the “triggers” group exercise.)

(Above: The seminar was presented in both English and Sinhalese. Which made for two completely exhausted presenters at the end of two full days!)

The seminar was attended by approximately 30 participants; the format was that of an informal lecture and also included group activities, partner interaction, and brainstorming sessions. During the afternoon of the first day, desks were moved into a large circle for the purpose of encouraging more dialogue. Day 1 topics addressed included the following: 1) An Introductory parable, 2) Biblical motivation and encouragement for community counselors, 3) Definition of child sexual abuse & commercial sexual exploitation, 4) Definition of consent, 5) “Triggers” activity, 6) Effects of sexual abuse, 7) Prevention & response, 8) General factors that increase vulnerability of trafficking, and 9) Resource list with contact information. Day 2 focused on practical therapeutic techniques for working with people in our communities who have been abused and/or trafficked. Participants entered into the discussions, practiced the techniques, interacted with one another, and were given opportunities to recognize and confront their own ideas, beliefs, and perceptions. Topics included the following: 1) Psychosocial assessment, 2) Psychoeducation, 3) Stress management (controlled breathing, relaxation training, and thought stopping), 4) Emotion-identification and expression, 5) Cognitive coping, and 6) Trauma narrative.

(Above: Captain Thujanthini and Ms. Kumarage work together; Adam & Major Jaya have a discussion in the background.)
Several in attendance remarked that they perceived the training as extremely valuable and found that they were learning new information. The seminar team was also invited to extend these trainings to other areas of the island, including other tsunami-affected communities. In addition, a couple of individuals identified their own personal experiences with sexually abusive situations.

(Manel- far left- helps facilitate group discussion; Chamani records the group's ideas.)

Overall, we perceive this 2-day seminar to have been a successful first step in increasing awareness of abuse-related issues and in building skills to help address these issues while serving the community. This topic is a very sensitive cultural issue, and brings with it a long history of avoidance, secrecy, and embarrassment. We were thus encouraged that the audience was not only receptive, but even willing to engage in discussions and activities, and requested follow-up trainings. We look forward to additional opportunities to continue the work where we have just begun to scratch the surface.

The new bedroom. Formerly: walls were white-ish (now khaki with a red accent wall - love it!); sconces were scary (below, close-up of new ones); no bedside tables; no bedside lamps; scratchy green sheets - now softer (perhaps still a far cry from "sateen," but we're moving up!) white sheets; no fun throw pillows; dark curtains that were great for hiding the sun AND large spiders. yikes. (no more curtains.)

I was really impressed that he thought about all this before we even left for Christmas, talked to Chris about it, checked the rental agreement (to find out if we could paint), had given thought to the plan, and then when he returned, had it all accomplished within a week. I know Trading Spaces does wonders in 48 hours - but this is a whole different world!!

So, when we leave Sri Lanka and are seeking gainful employment -- Adam and his redecorating skills will be available, for a very reasonable price. =)