One year on

The anniversary of the Boxing Day 2004 tsunami seemed a fitting time to return to the area affected by the disaster for Bridge 2 Sri Lanka's Sarah Griffith. Nick Mann reports BRIDGE 2 SRI LANKA is determined to keep helping those affected by the tsunami.

The charity was formed last year after Sarah Griffith became frustrated while working with another charity because the effort being made did not seem to be meeting immediate needs.

Now, more than a year after the tidal wave hit the region, the group's efforts are as strong and focused as ever.

'We are determined to keep going. It's in a small way, but everybody we help is grateful for it,' she said.

The charity's latest journey to the region coincided with the anniversary of the tsunami and was an emotional time.

Sarah and Jersey friend Annemarie Dolan left for Sri Lanka on 22 December. Within four days, they had bought more than 100 food parcels and toys and distributed them.

For the Boxing Day anniversary, they were in Hikkaduwa on the west coast of the island.

'Some teenage boys spent the day digging a map of Sri Lanka in the sand and three-foot holes in which they placed candles. The full effect was amazing - they had spelt out the date of the tsunami.'

The candles stretched out of view, representing each person who had died in the tragedy.

'I walked along and just started crying. You really had to be there to feel the emotion of it.'

In the school yard that night, small oil lamps purchased by the charity were also used to spell out Tsunami 2004.

'There was emotion in the air. The people of the village were very taken by it and there were lots of tears that day.'

A few days later, panic was caused after news of an earthquake in Mozambique led to fears of another tsunami.

Bridge 2 Sri Lanka is concentrating on humanitarian projects, with some houses already built.

It is also helping people such as Mahesh, a 16-year-old boy with leukaemia.

'We took him to a cancer specialist in the local hospital and found out how we could help him with lots of vitamins and nutritious foods, but the drugs for the cancer have almost destroyed his tongue.'

Since the visit, Mahesh has had a successful blood transfusion.

'It's one of the things I'm very keen to follow up, giving the family support, food and money. Ultimately, we'd like to get him back to school.'

Bridge 2 Sri Lanka is also organising a knee-replacement operation for Daya, a 56-year-old woman, with the costs being covered by Mary Perkins and the Guernsey Physiotherapy Group. It is hoped that the procedure will be carried out next month.

Sport is another area in which the charity is helping, having handed over home and away strips donated by Vale Rec, footballs from Central Sports and another set of shirts from Intersport for an under-15 side.

'We're currently looking for someone to sponsor a mower for the club because at the moment, grass cutting consists of four cows.'

Swimming has also been a target for the charity, this time building links between the Guernsey S. C. and the Sri Lankan all-island team.

'Sport is a good leveller for everybody. Working well as a team is really what rehabilitation of a place such as Sri Lanka is about, with everybody pulling together.'

The group is planning its fourth house build.

'We just need the finance. We've identified the family, the piece of land and the house.'

There are no signs of fatigue from the charity.

'We're determined to keep it going. The issue will go on the back burner for a lot of people. A lot of things happen in the world and a lot of the NGOs that were there have now gone, but we just want to keep it going.

'I'm often asked how we choose who we help. Each person is just as valuable as the next and it just happens. You go on your gut feeling.'

Another key aspect of the work is feedback to people who have made donations and concentrating on the grass roots means that the results are tangible.