Habitat Homes Destroyed in Sri Lanka: Homeowner Stories

JAYANTHI'S STORY

"We have nothing left. Everything was washed away. There wasn't any time to get our things, not even a piece of clothing.”

Habitat homes destroyed: Jayanthi in front of the remains of her home with her daughter and son

"We want to move inland," cried CW Jayanthi Perera, She is terrified of the deadly waters and fearful they will come again if she and her family rebuild on the site of their devastated Habitat for Humanity home.

The family relies on sea fishing for their livelihood, so they need to be near the waters' edge. The beach in Ginthota, close to Galle on the southern tip of Sri Lanka was once the site of their home. "We are scared to live here now," said her sister, Galhenage Chandrani.

Approximately 70 homes in Jayanthi's beach neighborhood were washed away. Many lives were lost. She is fortunate. Jayanthi's husband is safe, along with her two older children who managed to escape. Her two younger ones were on high ground at the time of the disaster. But the family has lost all their belongings.

"We have nothing now. Nothing was left. Everything was washed away. There wasn't any time to get our things, not even a piece of clothing,” said Jayanthi.

Now the once self-sufficient family is reliant on relief trucks bringing supplies that stop each day on the main road, 200 meters away. For Jayanthi and her family, this aid is the first step in a long road back to normality.

KAPILA'S STORY

"Our house was destroyed completely. The water went inland around 200 meters from the normal shoreline. It was about six feet deep."

"The sea rose and broke forth": Kapila contemplates the ruilns of his Habitat home

Kapila Wimalawathi thought his family's Habitat home was safe. Situated about 200 meters inland. It survived the first tsunami.

"At about quarter past nine, the sea rose and suddenly broke forth on to the houses. I shouted for everyone to get everyone out of the place. Our Habitat house remained and the other nine houses broke."

But two and half hours later, a second wave struck. "Our house was destroyed completely. The water went inland about 200m from the normal shoreline. It was about six feet deep," said Kapila.

Ten homes in the 53-family fishing community in Ginthota, close to Galle on the southern tip of Sri Lanka, were destroyed. Another ten were damaged, Most of the other families lost their possessions.

Kapila, his father, Habitat homeowner Wellege Wimalawathi, and the family have taken refuge in the local temple. They are waiting and wondering how to rebuild their shattered homes and lives.

You can help the efforts of the Habitat for Humanity Disaster Response Office by a donation to the Asia Tsunami Response Fund.