Alliance Development Trust Annual Report 2013 by NCEASL

CONTENTS

A Message from the CEO

Our team

4-5

Country Report

6-7

A Mighty Service (the ADT story)

8-9

HIGHLIGHTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS JANUARY -DECEMBER 2013 RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT

ALLIANCE DEVELOPMENT TRUST ANNUAL REPORT 2013

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Message from Chief Executive Officer region from which one came from. Reconciliation was the “in thing” to talk about but the wounds and hurts of the people had to first heal before reconciliation could begin.There had to be an acknowledgement of the pain, the suffering and the loss that people had gone through – which ever community they belonged to, before reconciliation could be thrust upon people. How does one serve in this context of a fragmented Nation and broken lives? The Alliance Development Trust (ADT) rose to the challenge to reach out and be the balm that the Nation needed, true to its vision of “Uniting and empowering communities by dynamic action for social peace, public justice and economic sufficiency to transform the nation”.These efforts may seem feeble in the light of the magnitude of the problems; a mere drop in the ocean but it is the drops that make the ocean.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us… In short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.” Charles Dickens The end of the war ushered in a period of paradoxical contradictions where everything was relative.What was true for one was not true for the other.What was reality for the South was not reality for the North. There was much hype about the end of the war and the peace that was achieved; but for many, reality was the gathering of pieces; pieces of broken lives, broken possessions, broken bodies and broken hearts. Much depended on the

ADT continues to work in the regions of the North, East, South, West, North Central and Central provinces of Sri Lanka and have offices in 10 Districts. In the last 09 years of work, ADT has won several international and local awards and accolades for its achievements in the area of development.The Sri Lankan Government’s recognition of the ADT’s work in rehabilitating ex-combatants, presented by the Ministry of Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms, is one among them. ADT continues to touch the lives and transform communities through the two primary areas of Humanitarian Assistance and Community Development.The ADT works with the war affected, war widows, ex-combatants, victims of natural disasters, marginalised groups such as people living with HIV, AIDS and leprosy.The areas of work include Livelihood programmes,Water and Sanitation, Shelter, Peace and Reconciliation, Children and Community Development Education.There is also an HIV and AIDS desk and a transit home for HIV and AIDS victims. The ADT plays an important role in restoring human dignity where man and woman are impoverished and dehumanised. Every staff member has contributed tremendously to the success of ADT. If one was to measure the volume of work accomplished by the ADT staff this year, it is indeed amazing.They have given themselves sacrificially.They are our greatest asset. Our Board of Directors have been a tower of strength to all of us and supported and encouraged us in all our activities. Each and every board member too has given their time, energy and advice to us in the most crucial of times when we needed it most.We deeply appreciate their contributions.

Godfrey Yogarajah Chief Executive Officer

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COUNTRY REPORT The year began with the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) making moves deemed controversial by many. The removal of Chief Justice, Shirani Bandaranayake on the 13th January, described by the Government as an impeachment proceeding, on charges of corruption, drew concerns of the flouting of constitutional proceedings and lack of judicial independence. Similar concerns were raised, with the passing of the Divi Neguma Bill (Enhancement of Life) which was purportedly aimed at poverty alleviation in the country, but raised concerns of interference with subjects

Though the GoSL has taken significant steps for Sri Lanka’s post war recovery, issues such as the interference of the military in civilian life, undue restrictions imposed on the freedom of association, expression and movement particularly for the people of the North, hamper the return to normalcy.

accountability for alleged war crimes committed by the Sri Lankan forces during the armed conflict that ended in 2009 and meaningful reconciliation grew strong, with increasing pressure being levelled from various quarters of the international community. This was a topic of much concern, during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) which Sri Lanka was host to, amidst much controversy. While Sri Lanka’s perceived Human Rights record led to a boycott by many countries, with only 27 out of the 53 heads of government attending the summit, the British Premier

The removal of Chief Justice, Shirani Bandaranayake on the 13th of January, described by the Government as an impeachment proceeding, on charges of corruption, drew concerns of the flouting of constitutional proceedings and lack of judicial independence. vested with the Provincial Councils under the 13th Amendment to the constitution that enables greater power sharing. Furthermore the Government’s focus on boosting the tourism industry extended to signing deals with leading international casino developers which were encouraged by a series of questionable tax concessions. The Government however, made significant progress in some areas of post-war recovery and reconciliation-particularly in the areas of rebuilding infrastructure, de-mining and resettling a majority of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). The GoSL also resumed the train service on the Northern line with the opening of the railway line from Omanthani to Kilinochchi. Land and land

ownership continued to be a prevailing issue of concern in post war Sri Lanka, with disputes arising due to occupation of private property for military purpose. In response to this, the Ministry of Land and Land Development has started a survey on the land in the High Security Zones (HSZ) of the Northern and Eastern provinces. Though the GoSL has taken significant steps for Sri Lanka’s post war recovery, issues such as the interference of the military in civilian life, undue restrictions imposed on the freedom of association, expression and movement, particularly for the people of the North, hamper the return to normalcy. Calls for the need for

provision of a political solution to the ethnic conflict, power sharing and the granting political autonomy to the minority Tamils of the North, was a leading issue in the year 2013. The announcement by the Sri Lankan Government to hold the Provincial Council Elections (PCE) in the Northern Province in September 2013, was thereby very welcome. Despite irregularities and pressure from various quarters, the historic elections were held amid heavy security in the Tamil dominant Northern Province on 21st September, with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) securing landslide victory for the Northern Provincial Council.

Despite irregularities and pressure from various quarters, on the 21st of September, amid heavy security, historic elections were held in the Tamil dominated Northern Province, with the TNA securing a landslide victory for the Northern Provincial Council.

In addition to this a commission was appointed to look into the incidents of disappearance that have taken place during the 30 years of armed conflict and a plan was initiated to conduct a census on people who died and were injured during the ethnic war.

ALLIANCE DEVELOPMENT TRUST ANNUAL REPORT 2013

used his visit to tell the GoSL that Britain would use its position at the Human Rights’ Council, to press for an international inquiry, if Sri Lanka failed to carry out a credible and independent investigation into alleged war crimes by March 2014. Furthermore a report was released by the United Nations High Commissioner of Human Rights, Navanetham Pillay, to coincide with the 22nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva that called for the continued attention of the UNHRC to the Human Rights situation in Sri Lanka. In addition to this, the United States sponsored yet another resolution on Sri Lanka at the 22nd

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session of the UNHRC which was adopted with 25 votes in favour. This move has been described as a measure to force Sri Lanka to expedite reconciliation and the implementation of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC).Though rejected as attempts to discredit Sri Lanka, amidst mounting pressure, the GoSL took steps to address some of the concerns raised. Some of the more notable developments in this area was the Court of Inquiry appointed to investigate into the controversial instances of shelling referred to in the LLRC report. In addition to this, a commission was appointed to look into the incidents of disappearance that have taken place during the 30 years of armed conflict and a plan was initiated to conduct a census on people who died and were injured during the ethnic war. The

Media Freedom and the Freedom of Expression continued to be a cause for concern. Being classified by the Reporters without Borders as a country “under surveillance” and ranked 162 out of 179 countries in its 2013 press freedom index, Sri Lanka continued to see armed attacks on the homes of journalists, newspapers particularly in the North being the target of repeated attacks and the controlling of media organisations by buying them, bestowing undue privileges on them or proposing measures that could restrict their freedom. In addition to this, the Sri Lankan Government authorities continued to battle together with Australia against the issue of the largest recorded number of boats carrying migrants from Sri Lanka, similar to the issue in 2012. In addition to the prevailing concerns,

new concerns arose with regard to the treatment of minority religious groups in Sri Lanka. Though the President reiterated his commitment on several occasions to protect the rights of all religions in the country, and the Ministry of National Languages and Social Integration proposed to seek a ban on extremist groups, organisations such as the Bodu Bala Sena gained momentum leading anti-Muslim and anti-Christian hate campaigns and attacks on places of worship. There was a marked increase in the incidents of persecution and violence reported from all over the Island and from the South in particular, with over 100 incidents being reported. It was in this context that the ADT worked towards empowering communities, providing justice for the marginalised and persecuted.

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From humble beginnings to a mighty service...

The History of Alliance Development Trust

lliance Development Trust (ADT) was launched in 2004, as an immediate response to the Asian Tsunami, engaging itself in providing relief and supplies to affected areas from the evening of December 26th.The initial emergency effort was followed by a long-term plan of reconstruction and development. Initial projects were carried out to restore normalcy to the lives of survivors and improve their quality of life. ADTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pre-Tsunami social development activities were centered on uplifting the lives of the war affected internally displaced persons, victims of natural disasters as well as addressing the social issues of national importance; including HIV,AIDS and peace and reconciliation. Today ADT reaches out to a broader group of marginalised people working through the community based sectors of Humanitarian Assistance, Children, Livelihood, Water and Sanitation, HIV and AIDS as well as Peace and Reconciliation. The Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Preparedness sectors respond to communities affected by disasters through meeting the urgent and basic needs of affected people and providing

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long term sustainable assistance to return to normalcy. ADT believes in investing in the welfare of children as they are our hope for the future. Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clubs are facilitated in underprivileged communities where the children are empowered to carry out activities that address issues prevailing in their communities.

ADT reaches out to a broader group of marginalised people working through community based sectors of Humanitarian Assistance, Children, Livelihood, Water and Sanitation, HIV and AIDS as well as Peace and Reconciliation.

Through its sectors of Livelihood and Water and Sanitation, ADT serves vulnerable groups trapped in the cycle of poverty and hopelessness. Steady livelihoods and access to safe water and proper sanitation are the first steps towards freedom from poverty and living with dignity. The HIV and AIDS desk reaches out to vulnerable audiences by conducting awareness programmes on the epidemic and on prevention to ensure they live full and productive lives. The Peace building initiatives conducted by the Peace Desk are focused on bringing together people of different ethnic communities through various interactive activities conducted in a manner that nurtures unity and coexistence.

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RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT

ADT empowers communities with little or no access to basic needs in order to elevate them from their present living standards of poverty.

ADT implements its projects through structured and integrated programme sectors under the broad categories of Humanitarian Aid and Community Development. ADT is committed to international standards of good practice and conduct and its response conforms to recognised standards such as the Sphere Code of Conduct and People in Aid.

Changing lives through Community Developement Education (CDE) Alliance Development Trust (ADT) carries out all its development programmes through a Community Development Education (CDE) approach that is committed to achieve holistic development in communities through long-term sustainable development. ADT empowers communities with little or no access to basic needs in order to elevate them from their present living standards of poverty. The programmes are structured to equip members of such communities to identify their own community needs and the resources available to them while assisting them to plan and implement goals which are reached through community participation and ownership for their own health and well being. Community Development Programmes are conducted under the integrated sectors of Children, Water and Sanitation, Livelihood, HIV and AIDS awareness and Peace and Reconciliation. The ADT team works with leaders of the community to accomplish a common vision for better living standards and quality of life. The community elects representatives to serve on a development committee and the ADT team trains and equips these elected representatives to manage the development process in their village. The villagers are encouraged to volunteer and act sacrificially to meet the needs of each other for the common good of their community. The ADT team continues to mentor and coach the committee, providing assistance in identifying problems, researching solutions, finding resources, making plans, mobilising volunteers and evaluating results until a tangible transformation takes place in the community.

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Livelihood

War widows receive a helping hand The clutches of the armed conflict which raged in the country reached as far as the Eastern Province destroying and damaging almost everything in its way. The greatest damage caused by this destruction was the loss of lives; those who lost loved ones during the conflict still struggle to cope with their loss. The burdens of such households have now fallen on the shoulders of widows who play the role of the breadwinner of their families. In most situations, these widows find it difficult to leave their homes to seek employment as they have to look after their young children. This puts them in a most desperate situation as satisfying their children’s hunger would come at the cost of the children’s security and

High breed cows and calves given to ten beneficiaries

“I receive two litres of milk daily from my cow” said a beneficiary who went onto explain that her children now receive added nutrition because of the cow’s milk. The beneficiaries from selected villages attended a Business Training Course which included the following topics: Introduction to Microenterprise, Characteristics of Successful Business People, Supply and Demand, Mapping Microenterprises, Knowing Your Customers and Your Competition, Marketing and Value Added Products.

well being. Recognising this dilemma faced by the war widows, ADT reaches out to them through its livelihood sector. Recently, ADT provided high breed cows and calves for 10 widows, in a bid to help them engage in a livelihood that does not tear them away from their homes.

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ADT further introduced these beneficiaries to the regional veterinary officer and the National Livestock Development Board (NLDB) with the aim of ensuring that these widows will receive the maximum benefit of this venture. “I receive two litres of milk daily from my cow” said a beneficiary who went onto explain that her children now

receive added nutrition because of the cow’s milk. “We are all very grateful to ADT for coming to our assistance at our moment of helplessness.”

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Peace and Reconciliation

HIV and AIDS

Peace and Reconciliation is an integral component which promotes unity and social cohesion of a selected village. Messages of peace initiatives are specially developed and carried out through young children in interactive ways and in a manner that nurtures leadership qualities in them. The children from the Change Makers’ Club in Jaffna and the CDE villagers of Batticaloa organised cultural programmes which displayed the unity among their communities.

Project Positive is committed to equip the communities to lead healthy lifestyles. In a bid to reach out to high risk groups and vulnerable persons living in these communities, Project Positive works together with volunteer pastors and conducts awareness programmes on HIV and AIDS, other Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Reproductive Health. In 2013 Project Positive educated communities in selected villages in Jaffna, Anuradhapura, Trincomalee and Galle.

Uniting the community through acts of peace

Preventing the spread of HIV and AIDS Killikunjumalai is a remote, resettled village in Trincomalee. The families living in this village were displaced during the armed conflict and have lived in camps for long periods. The villagers have a very low level of education and most of them eke out a living as daily paid labourers. Project Positive conducted HIV and AIDS awareness and prevention seminars in this village particularly because they were identified as communities with high risk behaviour patterns. “For the first time in my life, I learned about HIV and AIDS. I learned how HIV spreads and how to prevent the virus from spreading.We were also taught to identify the symptoms of the HIV virus.We are very thankful to ADT for teaching us all these things.” said a young mother who found the seminar extremely useful.

Cultural event helped create greater understanding among communities

The programme was attended by 36 participants, primarily young girls and their mothers. The programme addressed topics on reproductive health and sexual issues pertaining to their health which are usually not addressed openly in public. The participants found the sessions interactive and interesting as they included experiences of real life stories, dramas and video clips. Even though the participants had a very basic knowledge of a dreadful disease known as AIDS, most of the facts they knew were incorrect. Following the awareness seminars, the two communities were adequately equipped to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS and refrain from activities which made them vulnerable to contracting the virus. They learned

“We are very grateful to Alliance Development Trust for helping us conduct this event which has brought us closer to one another. We are no longer residents of four villages but brothers and sisters of one community.” ALLIANCE DEVELOPMENT TRUST ANNUAL REPORT 2013

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HIV and AIDS awareness seminar for people of Killikunjumalai

“For the first time in my life, I learned about HIV and AIDS. I learned how HIV spreads and how to prevent the virus from spreading. We were also taught to identify the symptoms of the HIV virus.”

how to safeguard their lives and the lives of others who live in their community. HIV and AIDS Awareness Programmes Region

Community

Trincomalee

Anuradhapura

Jaffna

Galle

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Students

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Children Creating an atmosphere which is safe and supportive towards a child’s physical and psychosocial development is of paramount importance to ADT. All children’s activities are focussed on building the next generation to be ‘Change Makers’ by equipping and empowering them while supporting their initiatives towards meeting the needs for a holistic development.

Our children have the potential to become agents of peace Alliance Development Trust believes in investing in children as they are our hope for tomorrow. Several programmes and workshops which are specially designed to equip these children to be agents of change in their community are conducted regularly in a bid to empower them to actively contribute towards the development taking place in their village. In August, ADT organised a

Community Awareness Awareness programmes were held for both the children and their parents as per the needs of the different communities. Subjects covering child protection, abuse and prevention, child development, child rights and responsibilities, leadership roles in the children’s clubs and the community, personal and community hygiene, family bonds, child trafficking, disaster risk reduction, parents’ responsibilities, etc. were conducted through seminars, workshops and trainings.

Children’s Initiatives

Change Makers planting a sapling to signify their commitment to peace

Children are encouraged to initiate projects by identifying problems faced by their communities and solving them through projects implemented together with their parents and community leaders. Some of the activities initiated by the children were shramadaana clearing of their village environment to stop the spread of dengue, making school benches and chairs, opening of a library, educational field visits, cultural day activities, art competitions, sports meets, etc. The Child Centred Community Development concept also lends itself to support the less fortunate and disabled children in their communities by including them in activities and interactions with other children. This concept also ensures that other children and elders accept children with disabilities as part of their community.

“We knew the meaning of ‘Peace’ but now we know how to seek peace through reconciliation.”

350

Pre-school and primary school children received educational material

165

Children received free medical check ups

Staff and volunteers received training in child participation, trauma counselling and child development ALLIANCE DEVELOPMENT TRUST ANNUAL REPORT 2013 Page 18

programme on peace-building and coexistence for the leaders of the ‘Change Makers’ clubs and volunteers who work with them. The Unity Camp was held in Jaffna and was attended by 125 participants from ‘Change Makers’ Clubs in Galle, Ratmalana, Trincomalee, Anuradhapura, Vavuniya and Jaffna. The participants attended interactive sessions on attitudes that contribute towards peace and coexistence, leadership in ethnically diverse societies, values that help build one’s personality as well as awareness on child rights and child abuse. The youth were also given the chance to be facilitators at this camp as they displayed the

values and identities of their communities through dance, drama and music at a talent night. As this camp marked most participants’ first visit to Jaffna, an educational trip was organised to the Jaffna Fort and Jaffna Public Library to help these participants gain a better understanding of the rich cultural heritage of Jaffna. This camp was not only an opportunity for the participants to build lasting friendships with ‘Change Makers’ of various communities but it also equipped them to be ambassadors of peace and spread the message of reconciliation among family and friends. “We are very happy to be a part of this Unity Camp as we learned many things” said Avishka, a ‘Change Maker’ from

Galle, as he exchanged a symbol of peace with Thavalogan who is from Trincomalee. “We knew the meaning of ‘Peace’ but now we know how to seek peace through reconciliation.” Avishka, Thavalogan and their other friends departed from the campsite with the commitment to continue to be ‘Peace Makers’. They will instruct and guide the other ‘Change Makers’ back at home to be agents of peace in their communities.

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Water and Sanitation The lack of clean water for consumption and proper sanitation facilities are what most of the selected villages do not have. These drawbacks impact negatively on the villagers’ health and increase the spread of diseases. The water and sanitation projects conducted by ADT included installation of community water supply units, well cleaning, construction of latrines, water quality monitoring as well as seminars and trainings on best hygiene practices. The importance of conserving water was addressed by the children’s clubs when they commemorated World Water Day.

Basic requirements for some are luxuries to others The armed conflict still continues to haunt several communities all around our island home even as we strive to overcome the shadows of the past. The community of Killikunjumalai comprises of villagers who were displaced by the 30 years of war. Though they struggle to reach adequate living standards, the community finds it hard to escape the clasp of poverty. Their situation becomes more desperate

490

Participated in hygiene seminars

144 Benefitted from toilet constructions

Smiling beneficiaries of a toilet from ADT

150 Benefitted from cleaned wells 90 Children were instructed on conserving water through an art competition

ALLIANCE DEVELOPMENT TRUST ANNUAL REPORT 2013

because of their limited access to the basic commodities. The plight of the womenfolk of this village especially was great as they did not have toilets. “The only toilet for the village was in a terrible condition and was not sufficient for all of us” explained Ranee. “We were forced to use the jungles.The whole village knows when we want to relieve ourselves.” She went on to state that this situation greatly affected the young girls of the community. Often men and boys with indecent intentions would

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“The only toilet for the village was in a terrible condition and was not sufficient for all of us. We were forced to use the jungles.The whole village knows when we want to relieve ourselves.” watch the girls who use the jungles to relieve themselves. These girls and young children were also afraid to go into the jungles at night as they are afraid of snakes and wild animals. The villagers faced a great dilemma as this situation was not merely unsafe for the young girls and children but it also created an unhygienic environment. Alliance Development Trust (ADT) built toilets for 12 families in Killikunjumali when it heard of the

plight of the community. “We are very grateful to ADT for this great favour” expressed Ranee. “Toilets were our greatest need and now we have toilets to call our own!” ADT also ensured that the community is aware of good sanitary and hygiene practices.The beneficiaries of the toilets and all villagers receive awareness on the importance of good health and hygiene as a measure to build a better and healthier tomorrow for the entire community of Killikunjumalai.

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Humanitarian Assistance Since its inception, Alliance Development Trust’s (ADT) relief work has been centred on responding to natural and manmade disasters. During the period under review, ADT continued to provide emergency relief to areas affected by natural disasters and conducted social development activities centred on uplifting the lives of those who were internally displaced (IDPs) due to the armed conflict.

Humanitarian Assistance to War Affected Communities

Finally, a pre-school for Ulavanoor

War widows recieved livelihood grants

Livelihood

One of the core essential needs during the post-war period was to provide livelihood assistance to those affected. 30 war widows from Mullaitivu received livelihood grants to commence their own livelihood enterprises.

Water and Sanitation

Some of the areas worst affected during the armed conflict are in the Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts. Most of the wells in these areas were contaminated and not fit for consumption. ADT cleaned 40 wells and constructed 09 new wells.

Wells were cleaned and made fit for consumption

New wells constructed

A pre-school that seemed an unaffordable luxury is now a reality

The little children of Ulavanoor in Kilinochchi wake up early morning because they love going to nursery school. Their parents cannot even afford to buy the books these children need because they lost all their possessions as well as livelihoods to the armed conflict that raged in the North for 30 years. The young ones however do not really mind utilising the resources available as they love to learn. Sadly though, their preschool was a small, temporary structure with a thatched roof. The teachers struggled to fill the eager minds entrusted to them as they did not even have a blackboard to trace the letters of the alphabet. The children too found it difficult to write, draw or colour as they depended on the soil ground to serve them as tables and chairs. The little students were also greatly inconvenienced as their toilet was in a deplorable state and as shrubs and trees had taken over their little play

Nutrition Programme

ADT provided nutritional supplements for the preparation of breakfast for 329 malnourished children in 05 pre-schools in the Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts throughout the year. They received milk, boiled green gram, chick peas and cow pea which were prepared by the parents voluntarily.

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“These children were born in IDP camps and have faced great hardships.We are very grateful to ADT for this act of love and concern toward these children.”

area. Though the need for a new building for this preschool was a pressing issue, the community did not understand the urgency as they fought a daily battle to provide for the basic needs of their families. A new preschool seemed an unaffordable luxury to them as even the collective efforts of all 312 families of Ulavanoor could not pay for the construction. Alliance Development Trust identified this great need for a new building for the students of the Thambirasa preschool. ADT came to the aid of these children by providing them with a brand new classroom, a renovated toilet, a newly constructed well and learning material that would help them in their education. “These children were born in IDP camps and have faced great hardships” said their teacher. “We are very grateful to ADT for this act of love and concern toward these children.”

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Humanitarian Assistance ADT also educated and trained communities on how to respond to natural and man-made disasters. As in all projects implemented by ADT, the provision of Humanitarian Aid too involved communities in long-term sustainable development.

When the Rains Came Down When the rains began in December 2012 many did not imagine that such damage could be caused by the same waters that quench their thirst and prosper our fields. However the rains continued to pour down mercilessly, causing floods and landslides. Rising water levels in several reservoirs caused floods and landslides forcing residents living in low-lying areas to evacuate. Unfortunately, it was mostly the underprivileged communities which were greatly distressed by this situation. The areas most affected were the Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Ampara, Puttalam, Mannar, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Moneragala, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Matale and Badulla Districts. The floods marooned people and made it more difficult to reach them with relief assistance. The majority of the flood victims were reported from the Batticaloa District (135,686) followed by Polonnaruwa District (11,000). Alliance Development Trust (ADT) quickly coordinated with the local Government Agents, Graama Sevakas and the Armed Forces in distributing the relief assistance of dry rations to 4685 families in the Batticaloa, Matale, Puttalam and Polonnaruwa Districts. The relief items contained rice, sugar, dhal, milk powder, soya meat, dry fish, onions, potatoes, curry powder, coconut, tea, biscuits, soap and other sanitary items as well as exercise books and stationery for 150 school children. 50 wells in the Eastern Province were cleaned and chlorinated in order to restore the health and sanitation needs of the affected communities.

Some of the relief items distributed among flood victims

4683

Families received food rations

307

Families recieved access to safe drinking water

150 Children recieved educational supplies

Wells cleaned and chlorinated

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Water and Sanitation The Water and Sanitation sector of Alliance Development Trust carries out a programme that works outside of the selected villages. In the period under review it served in several other regions providing for the needs of different communities. A church in Rakvana, located on a hill and with no access to water, was provided with a water tank for the use of its church members. The community toilet of a slum community living on the banks of the Wellawatte canal was renovated for the first time in decades. Students from Kepungoda, Pamunugama took part in an art competition to commemorate World Water day and illustrated their idea of conserving water. Several hygiene seminars on proper sanitation and water conservation were conducted in villages in the Central and Eastern provinces.

350

Human dignity restored to a marginalised community

The community toilet down Vihara Lane, Wellawatte is over 100 years old. It has been used by generations living in tenements in and around the banks of the Wellawatte canal. Sadly however, they were in a deplorable state, totally neglected and causing a health hazard to the neighbourhood. The 12 toilets (6 each for males and females) which are under the purview of the CMC served approximately 750 people,

People trained through hygiene seminar

One hundred year old toilets being renovated for a community of over 750

Beneficiaries of a tube well

750

Beneficiaries of toilet renovation

120

the old and the young ones from families in the neighbourhood as well as outsiders. Alliance Development Trust (ADT) identified the dire need to renovate these toilets and received the relevant approvals from the CMC authorities. The Vihara Lane community joined ADT providing free labour wherever possible in making new pits, colour washing the premises, etc., whilst ADT provided all the necessary building materials for building walls, doors, squatting pans, taps, etc. The renovated toilets were handed back to the Vihara Lane community on 08th May 2013 amidst a gathering of residents, CMC officials and the Public Health Inspector. “We have been

Students taught the importance of water conservation through art

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“...the ladies especially didn’t have any privacy as the walls and doors were broken down. We had no choice as these are the only toilets used by our entire tenement. Today, thanks to ADT who came to our aid we have clean new toilets which we can use with dignity.” suffering in silence for years; the ladies especially didn’t have any privacy as the walls and doors were broken down.We had no choice as these are the only toilets used

by our entire tenement.Today, thanks to ADT who came to our aid we have clean new toilets which we can use with dignity” said a resident who has lived in that neighbourhood for the past 75 years. The residents were further made aware of good hygiene practices and the importance of being responsible for keeping the toilets and its premises clean at all times.

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HIV and AIDS The HIV and AIDS sector of Alliance Development Trust carries out a programme outside of the selected villages. As the national level of awareness on the HIV and AIDS epidemic and prevention is relatively low, ADT focussed on conducting awareness and educative programmes amongst high risk target groups. According to the National STD/AIDS Control Programme, there is an estimated 45,000 HIV positive cases in the island. The HIV and AIDS desk of Alliance Development Trust is committed towards fighting this epidemic and towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals of zero new infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS related deaths by 2015.

There are many misconceptions and misunderstandings held by society on HIV, AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. This year the Logos Hope ship that docked in the Colombo harbour in August 2013 held a programme titled ‘Channels of Hope’ which was a two day training module. It had been was designed to bring acceptance, support and hope to HIV and AIDS affected communities. “There is reluctance on the part of certain segments of society to participate in such seminars. They think that the subject didn’t concern them as it is a sinful matter and has nothing to do with them” commented the programme

Polonnaruwa

Nuwara Eliya

Kurunegala

Colombo

and

Pastors get an important message on HIV and AIDS

Bringing about a change of attitude towards HIV and AIDS

“There is reluctance on the part of certain pastors to participate in such seminars.They thought the subject didn’t concern them as it is a sinful matter.”

facilitator. However the society has a vital role to play as vessels in bringing about a change of attitude towards the life threatening virus and the victims . The programme was aimed at encouraging the participants to be catalysts of change. The interactive sessions which were conducted through group activities helped the participants to discuss their perceptions and reservations more openly. Role play and other

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interactive activities provided participants with comprehensive information on how the virus is transmitted and provided clarification on the difference between HIV and AIDS. The sessions also pro¬vided the participants with practical information such as screening methods that are available in Sri Lanka, together with various counselling processes that precede and follow the HIV test. “What I learned at the seminar encouraged me to be a source of strength to those vulnerable to contracting the HIV virus. I am commit¬ted to share what I learned with the community I serve”

stated a participant. “The exposure of what I learnt today has brought about a more personal transformation. My fear of the disease and the wrong information that I had on how it was transmitted were quickly dismissed. Empowered with new knowledge I will now be a strong advocate for the cause” he added.

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Chief Executive Officer Godfrey Yogarajah SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM Godfrey Yogarajah Mahesh De Mel Roshini Wickremesinhe SENIOR MANAGERS Paul Navamani Rajiva Godagedara S. T. Thoumiyan Raghu Balachandran REGIONAL TEAM LEADERS

Coordinator – North Team Leader Jaffna Team Leader Vavuniya Project Officer Mannar

Abraham Ragulan Mahendran Prabosh Augustine Prashanthan Julius Coonge

The staff members who have served this past year tirelessly; for their faithful and diligent service,

Coordinator – East/ Team Leader Batticaloa

Ebenezer Dharshan

Coordinator – Anuradhapura

Brian De Silva

Our partners and friends who gave of their resources and time generously

Coordinator – Gampola

Thilak Ariyawansa

Coordinator - South

Gurusingha Arachchige Manel

APPRECIATIONS We thank

The good work done would not have been possible without your commitment You have impacted the lives of many.