What is the project?

It is a grass-roots reconstruction project with a goal of building seven homes in Sri Lanka for families displaced by the tsunami of December 26, 2004.

What is the project called?

The project is called W.O.R.K. We have focused on the word ‘work’ because we believe strongly that it is the backbone of any successful reconstruction project. Our slogan, or motto, is simply “W.O.R.K Works.” Each letter of our name represents one of the four tenets we believe are the keys to working efficiently in the Sri Lankan post-tsunami environment: Willpower. Organization. Respect. Knowledge.

When will the project take place?

We would like to begin actual construction at the beginning of January, 2006 and finish construction in mid-March. The start and end dates have not been finalized and can be altered somewhat to meet the availability of potential volunteers. However, an earlier start date is not likely, simply because of the organizational requirements that must be fulfilled before construction begins. There is some flexibility in moving the project back but the latest start date we want to commit to is the beginning of February and we want the project to be completed by the end of April. The main reason for this is to take advantage of the region’s most favorable annual weather conditions and to avoid the monsoon season, which can start as early as the beginning of May in southwestern Sri Lanka.

How was the project conceived?

The idea for W.O.R.K was conceived by Jesper Nielsen of Nakusp, British Columbia and Chris Durham of Cookeville, Tennessee after they completed two weeks of reconstruction work in Sri Lanka in April of this year with Global Crossroad. They both rank the experience among the best of their lives. However, like many tsunami relief workers, they experienced the frustration of not accomplishing as much as they felt would be possible with a better organizational framework. Volunteers with construction experience were in short supply and unskilled workers often were not given sufficient direction. Most importantly, adequate tools and equipment were often not available. Jesper and Chris felt that they could improve on existing reconstruction efforts by making the proper equipment and materials available and through strategic recruitment and placement of volunteers.

What kind of volunteers is W.O.R.K. seeking?

We have filled all slots needed for construction volunteers by asking our friends from our previous reconstruction project in April to join us again and by recruiting a few more hometown friends willing to make the journey with us.

Those laborer positions may be filled but we also require a number of volunteers to help with the fundraising process on this end. Anyone with fundraising experience or who is willing to man the telephone, knock on doors or help out in any other way with media awareness is more than welcome to join the team.

How many participants does the project require?

We have calculated that we will require approximately 75 volunteers to complete the project, assuming that the average volunteer contributes three weeks (15 work days).

How much money needs to be raised?

We have not yet completed an itemized cost breakdown but our best calculations to date indicate that approximately $50,000 will need to be raised. 100 percent of the money raised will go towards the building of the homes including paid Sri Lankan laborers. All volunteers are unpaid and will pay their own costs while in Sri Lanka.

How will the money be raised?

Money will be raised by dedicated volunteers in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. We will seek sponsorship from corporations, small businesses and individuals. Door-to-door and telephone solicitation will be used as well as small-scale newspaper advertising and possibly the sale of promotional products such as T-shirts and wrist bands.

Do you have any contacts in Sri Lanka?

Yes, we have two dedicated contacts who are currently working as reconstruction project coordinators but have agreed to help us to secure property and to help with other in-country arrangements until we arrive in the country.

Where are the homes being built?

Homes will be built near Galle, a city of about 60,000 people on the southwestern tip of Sri Lanka. Galle was severely affected by the December 26 tsunami and unfortunately, reconstruction of permanent housing has proceeded very slowly to date. It is hoped that a single piece of land can be purchased which will be large enough to accommodate all twenty homes. Because of the 100 meter rule imposed by the government, which bans construction of new homes within 100 meters of the ocean, the homes will have to be constructed inland.

Why isn’t money available from the billions raised for Tsunami Relief worldwide?

As a new organization, it will not be possible for us to receive charitable status this year. This makes it difficult for us to receive the attention of federal officials responsible for distributing the contributions pledged by their respective countries.

If there is a way to access Tsunami relief money, we will take advantage of it. However, we do not want the pursuit of such funds to become the focus of our fundraising efforts. This is because we do not want to fall into the trap we believe so many aid organizations become subject to. Once an organization becomes reliant on federally funded aid money, they also become subject to the bureaucracy that goes with it. This often translates into unnecessary energy expenditures on administrative exercises and long delays in substantive progress. We believe that one of the keys to our success will be optimizing our independence from these bureaucratic traps. That will likely translate into raising almost all of our own money. It’s the best and most foolproof way to proceed. W.O.R.K. works!

Is there any other information that can tell me more about the project?

Chris Durham’s website, Two Weeks Off provides a detailed blog and many photos of his first Sri Lankan reconstruction experience.