“AN EXPRESSION OF APPRECIATION TO OUR KIND DONORS”:
It is with great pleasure that the Georgia Buddhist Vihara announces the completion of seventeen houses replacing those destroyed by the Tsunami.
It has been almost two years since the destructive force of the terrible flooding killed 40,000 in Sri Lanka and destroyed even more homes. We were able to collect over forty thousand dollars with which we purchased all the materials
roofs, walls, windows and doors to build 17 homes. We asked the Tsunami victims to bring their own plan and sizes of the houses. If we gave our plan it may not fit their families and might not happy with equal model of houses. This project plan gave them the opportunity to choose exactly the way they need their homes. Finally they all got shelter that they can complete additional works by their own expenses. You may see activities of the Project by clicking Here.for account details please see below chart.
We are very grateful to all of you who helped so generously. Please know that your efforts have changed the lives, given hope and provided shelter and peace for seventeen families.
Thank you very much, again.
| Total donations received for Tsunami fund | $40,124.28 |
| Rehabilitation Center | $1000 |
| Mallika Nivasa Housing project (Built two Houses) | $6000 |
| Remaining balance for housing project (This amount divided by 15) | 33,124.28 |
| Georgia Buddhist Vihara housing project $2208.28x15 | $2208.28 per Unit |
| Provided material for each house | $2208.28 |
| Completed 15 houses but not responsible for finishing the houses | $2208.28 |
| Balance | 00.00 |
Procedure of Project work
When the Tsunami occurred in Sri Lanka on December 26, 2004, hundreds of thousand of men, women, and children lost their loved ones and their belongings. In an instant all the victims became homeless and hopeless.
Immediately, friends in Georgia, Alabama, North and South Carolina got together to search for a way to help, all coming from different ethnic, social, and religious backgrounds, all unique human beings. They found Georgia Buddhist Vihara, the only Sri Lankan Community Center in this regime.
Friends of the temple and our own members actively worked to communicate with everyone contacting us. Atlanta-based TV and other media crews put lot of effort into directing funds to certain specified locations. We at Georgia Buddhist Vihara worked to coordinate those efforts.
Due to many circumstances there was some delay, but gradually much good was accomplished. People are being provided shelters and new homes, more security and comfort.
Our friend Mr. Bogahawatta dedicated his time and labor to build necessary shelters you will find some images of his project here on our web site.
We thank Mr. Bogahawatta for his generous, voluntary work. Thanks to all of you for your utmost kindness. The wounds are healing. Out of great loss and suffering come new lives and hope.
May you and your loved ones and all beings be well and happy!.
Again we wish to thank you
for your generosity and concern for the Tsunami victims in Sri Lanka. Through
your efforts, we have raised $40,124.28 to be used for funding the construction
of homes for those left without shelter by the disaster.
We have experienced many delays because of difficulties for acquiring land and
their insistence that construction be done by contractors (raising the cost
significantly). Finally we were informed that enough land for 15 homes was
available but the cost for construction for each would be $3,500 to $5,000.
After careful investigation, we have found we can offer housing for as little as
$2,208.28 per unit. There are thousands of people still homeless and we believe
that it is best to care for as many as possible as quickly as we can. Later the
home may be enlarged or finished by the owner to his vision and needs—but in the
meantime, there will be a completely built shelter.
The plan will be implemented in the following way by Mr. Wijetunga Bogahawatta.
Mr. Bogahawatta, whose home is in Rahunapura, Kamburugawa is a long time friend
of Ven. Sumanajothi at the Ohio Buddhist Vihara, the abbot of the France
Buddhist Vihara, Ven. Parawahear Chandaratana, and Ven. Kondanna of the Staten
Island Buddhist Vihara. He is working to help Ven. Chandaratana Thera to
obtain land on which he can build 50 homes. Though he has been living in France,
Mr. Bogahawatta has postponed his return in order to contribute to rebuilding.
He is familiar with the community and knows who was most seriously hurt by the
tsunami, who is receiving aid and who is not.