Rebuilding after the tsunami: Adopt a Village in Sri Lanka

Students at Free The Children’s vocational centre in Sri Lanka

Waves rushing five kilometers inland, some as high as 40 feet, came crashing down on the shores of Sri Lanka on December 26, 2004. Devastating 68% of Sri Lanka’s coastal belt, killing more than 35,000 people and displacing hundreds of thousands more, the tsunami that tore through the country is still being felt almost four years later. 

Free The Children and its supporters from around the world stepped up to help in the aftermath. Through the Adopt a Village program, a holistic approach to development, Free The Children was able to assist in the rebuilding of Sri Lanka, especially in the Ampara district, the area most affected by the tsunami.

As with many natural disasters and relief situations, women were disproportionately affected by the tsunami. Free The Children took action through Alternative Income campaigns to address the problems faced by the many households that were now newly female-run. Women received loans to start their own businesses, along with literary and business training. By helping to reestablish their livelihoods, the women were empowered to provide for their families and participate in political and community matters during the rebuilding of their country.

Support of the Brick By Brick campaign enabled Free The Children to rebuild many schools torn down by the powerful waves and establish a vocational training centre for young people and women to receive training in courses such as carpentry and tailoring.

Craig celebrating with students after the completion of their new school in the Ampara District

Free The Children’s Clean Water and Sanitation projects supported the construction of clean water wells to restore and improve access to clean drinking water, as many water supplies were contaminated during the tsunami. New latrines were also built, far safer and more efficient than the pre-existing facilities.

The Adopt a Village program was developed as a response to the tsunami, but today this program has expanded and is providing much needed support to countries overseas such as Kenya, Sierra Leone, rural China and it continues to thrive in Sri Lanka.

Although the tsunami occurred almost four years ago, Sri Lanka still requires much-needed support. It’s never too late to get involved – sign up to Adopt a Village today!

Helpful Hints from Helpful Links

Read about the effects of the tsunami from Marc and Craig
Read a story of struggle and survival in Sri Lanka

Free The Children is the largest network of children helping children through education in the world, with more than one million youth involved in our innovative education and development programs in 45 countries. Founded by international child rights activist Craig Kielburger, Free The Children has an established track-record of success, with three nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize and partnerships with the United Nations and Oprah’s Angel Network.