As
the dance recital begins, a warm breeze blows through the open
windows, bringing the smell of the ocean – about 180 metres
away – inside. Two years ago, the tsunami brought the
ocean into the village, sweeping away families and homes from
Dondra, the southernmost point of Sri Lanka. Within the country,
more than 35,000 people died or went missing and nearly half
a million were displaced by the December 2004 disaster.
Today, the sadness and shock from the tsunami that engulfed
the residents of Dondra have been replaced by the lively buzz
of anticipation. About 50 families eagerly await the next performance
by some 30 dancers ranging from five to 16-years-old.
"The Red Cross and Red Crescent has brought hope back to
our community," says R. S. Shanthi, the mother of one of
the brightly dressed, twirling dancers. "After all we have
lost, just look at how happy they are."
A mix of people now call Dondra home. Ten families relocated
to the village after being displaced by the tsunami, while 25
households have been rebuilt. The remaining houses survived
because they were built on a hill. Although half the village
was rebuilt, the new neighbours were strangers to one another.
With encouragement from the American Red Cross and the Sri Lanka
Red Cross Society's psychosocial support programme (PSP) teams,
these villagers are finding ways to bring their new community
closer. PSP is designed to help people – especially children
– overcome the emotional trauma they experienced in a
disaster. Similar activities are helping 60 other tsunami-affected
communities in Sri Lanka, with an expected outreach to more
than 350,000 people across the country.
"Our first challenge was to find a common ground,"
explains Anjana Dayal, a PSP delegate for the American Red Cross
in Sri Lanka. "When there is so much diversity, you need
to find something that has value to everyone… without
this, it can be very insular," Dayal added. "We are
helping to open up the lines of communication."
Together with the American Red Cross PSP team, the villagers
decided to rebuild their lives and rekindle their community
spirit by drawing on their common cultural heritage. Community
members, who have skills to share, offer classes in traditional
dance and making crafts. Residents with formal dance training
– usually the older youth – help the younger ones
keep traditions alive through performance arts.
"I love teaching children, because I see their self confidence
growing each day," says R. Bramitha Kumara, one of the
local trainers. "The chance to perform and hear the applause
helps motivate our children to continue this tradition. What
the Red Cross and Red Crescent is doing for us is truly beautiful."
Christie Getman, Program Coordinator for the American Red Cross
in Sri Lanka, acknowledges that the journey has been tough for
this community, but she says progress is being made.
"PSP activities like the one here in Dondra are more than
just kids dancing," she explains. "You can gauge the
resilience of the people by their sense of community spirit.
This community, so battered by the tsunami, is now well on its
way to recovery."
For the villagers of Dondra, these activities not only keep
their traditions alive but also help them develop a bond. "We
feel united now, in a way we never felt before the tsunami,"
says Shanthi, while others nod in agreement.
The people in the audience mill about, watching the children
as they practice moving in sync, while others clap out a beat.
The recital is over, but still they dance. Hope is palpable
in their faces and in the spirit of this community – rebuilding
and reinventing itself, one child at a time.
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Sri
Lankan girls dancing in handmade costumes made from supplies
provided by the American Red Cross. (p15544)
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Dancers
perform traditional Sri Lankan candle lighting ceremony
to welcome guests. (p15545)
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R.
Bramitha Kumara, one of the local dance instructors, performs
a traditional Sri Lankan dance. (p15546)
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