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Written by Josca Verboven
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Kumari, her husband and 5 children met Frans and myself from the time of the tsunami. She lived in Galle at the time of the disaster, a place that was terribly affected by the tsunami.
Her whole family lived in the neighborhood and there were several casualties among them. She took care of many people in her village then. At one time we heard about a woman who was taking care of as many as 35 people. We immediatley went there and provide for large pans to cook, mattresses for the children and we also bought food. We went back there many times since that first day. We have always stayed in touch. Before the tsunami, her husband was a tuk-tuk driver. The tuk-tuk was destroyed by the tsunami. They had no income. We bought a tuk-tuk for this family. Her living conditions are a problem stil. One year after the tsunami they are still living in the ruins.
Rebuilding the house was not an option because they did not own the ground. She was given a small piece of land by her brother, who lived in Unawatuna and started building by herself. She tried to get help in many places, but never got it. Nobody wanted to support her.
They have plans to build an addition to the house. But for now, only the groundfloor is visible, which is far from finished. When it rains, water is coming down from the walls. We have given them money to build and re-enforce the foundation. They are going to buy cement and sand to stengthen the walls. They immediately went out to buy the materials an started building the next day. Kumari and her husband help themselves to minimize spenditure for the mason. One thing we know for sure, they will not spoil as much a a single dime.
  They have worked very hard  Let's hope it does not leak anymore.
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