Before the tsunami, Rahana was staying with her husband Azhar (41) and their three children, Ashpak Ahmed (6), Ashpara (13) and Anwar (3) in a rented house in Kinrinda, 40 km away from Hambantota, southern district of Sri lanka. Mighty waves of tsunami took the life of her husband Azhar and elder son Ashpak, while they were in Hambantota to consult a doctor for Ashpak. Difficult to stay alone in the rented house, Rahana shifted to her sister's house in Tangalle, where she had to observe 4 months of itha, a mourning period as per muslim custom, during which she had to be at home and is not allowed to see any outsider men.
Psycho Social Support
She found it difficult to get in terms with the sudden loss of husband and son. Two women community care volunteers of National Federation of People's organization (NFPO), one of ActionAid partners in Hambantota district, regularly visited Rahana and interacted with her after her mourn. It was the first time someone came and asked me what they can do to help me. They helped me a lot in overcoming my sorrow and distress. They spent a lot of time listening to me and I always felt very much relieved after discussing my problems with them
Supporting the livelihood
By that time Rahana received a sewing machine from a nearby church. Rahana says.
They provided me only the machine. I didn't get the capital to initiate the business. I discussed this problem with the volunteers of NFPO and within a few days I received the cloth and other materials worth 9,000 to start the business
A new house to stay
Last March, Rahana and her children have moved from her sister's place to a new house built and funded by NFPO in partnership with ActionAid. She participated in designing the house according to the needs of her family. We have more freedom here. This is my own house where I have more space for me and my children. She seems to be much happier. Rahana feels the ownership of the place and now, as she states, even her sewing business is running much better. Now I can get more orders what mean more income for my family. One year back I was earning 1000-1500 rupees a month. Now I earn around 5,000 rupees and some times more than 7 or 8,000. Rahana says with a shy smile on her face.
She is confident that her children's will have a better future. I am happy now, more relaxed and strong. I have a nice house and a livelihood that provides me a good income to take care of my family. I can think of my children's future. All what I want is to give them a good education Rahana says.
The constant interaction with NFPO instilled an interest in Rahana towards social work. At the beginning, she spared a few hours with the volunteers of NFPO visiting tsunami affected communities. Now, Rahana is actively volunteering in mobilizing Muslim women's groups in the area she lives. I feel happy that I'm spending my time for other affected people, organizing their meetings, discussing their issues, listening to their problems I feel that I am slowly getting back to my normal life, she says with confidence.
