Project Proposal

Build community centres for in tsunami-affected areas in Sri Lanka.

The community centres will be contributed in the name of Lions Club Singapore. Firefly will be the executing organisation.   

The community centres are open to ALL villagers/residents transcending ethnic or religious differences[1].

Project Name – “Parasol Weavers”

Parasol is a sign of status and social rank in many South Asian countries. The production of Parasols is a joint community effort. In the same way, our project aims to create opportunities for fellow villagers to work together to build their community centres. In the process of building the community centre, they rebuild their social relationships and their lives - like weaving of a Parasol.

Through the project, psychological, emotional and physical needs are brought together under one Parasol, and both Sri Lankans and Singaporeans come under the Parasol.

Benefits of the Community Centre

Uses

We expect these activities to go on in the community centre:

Cultural/Social Events

•          major life events like birthdays, weddings, etc

•          festive seasons

•          interaction centre for adults and children

Education/Training Center

•          basic healthcare lessons*

•          tuition classes*

•          computer training*

•          Traditional trades

Development & Support

•          Counselling*

•          central point for distribution of aid if necessary

•          micro credit if necessary*

*These activities may require additional funding. Firefly will raise the fund for these programs separately.

Construction

Whenever and wherever possible, we plan to employ locals in the construction of the community centres. This arrangement generates employment and creates a space for rebuilding of social relationships and solidarity.

Although the tsunami destroyed lives and material structures, the locals’ ability to rebuild their lives remains. Parasol Weavers will supply resources to help them to help themselves.

Location of Community Centres

The community centre will be built on village monastery grounds. Sri Lankan monasteries perform a wide scope of social services for residents and services are open to people of all ethnicity and religions. At the same time, monastery land cannot be sold.

Built in a monastery, the physical building is embedded into a cultural node that complements existing social flows. This ensures fill utility of the community centre by the locals and using it as a centre for collective benefit. It will be a community centre built by them for themselves

Maintenance

Villagers will form local committees to take care of the structures, e.g. housekeeping and so on. Basic maintenance cost will come from local contributions. The community centres are easy to care for and cheap to maintain.

Project Positioning  

These field trips provided valuable data to identify projects people need, but not the focus of existing programs. Our project complements existing programs.

Our team consists of professionals with different expertise who evaluated technical and social issues that the project has to address.

Proposed Locations

Three proposed sites (priority):

?         Balapitiya - Sunandharamaya, Hegalla, Kosgoda

?         Tangalle - Shri Thusitha Viharaya, Mawella, Nakulugamuwa

?         Ambalangoda - Sumanaramaya, Madampe, Venamulla

Seven more sites identified at:
1. Saddharmaramaya, Galawetimodara, Nalluruwa, Panadura
2. Abhaya Sri Wardanaramaya, Thalgahapitiya, Kosgoda
3. Padumagabbaramaya, Pereliya, Thelwatta, Hikkaduwa
4. International Buddhist Centre, No. 9/6 Park Rd, Kaluwella, Galle 
5. Subhadraramaya, Kamburugamuwe, Weligama
6. Thilakaratnaramaya, Kahandamodhara, Ranna
7. Purana Vihara, Polhena, Matara
 

** put on hold due to constraint of budget

Budget

S$15,000 - S$50 000 per community centre (average @ about S$15,000)

Firefly operates on a ZERO overhead principle. 100% of the funding goes into the construction cost. Travel, accommodation and other directly or indirectly expenses are considered as firefly volunteer’s private expense. There is no income or subsidies.

Time Line

Agreement

The monastery will give a written authorisation to Singapore Buddhist Federation / Firefly Mission for construction as well as agreement on the terms of use of the community centre.

Construction Time Line
 

Funds will be released in stages upon successful completion of each stage. Sri Lankan and Singapore consultants will verify each stage is completed as per design and technical specifications.

Key Personnel

Singapore Team Members

1) Ms. Jenny QUEK

Deputy Director of Welfare, Singapore Buddhist Federation
Vice President, Shan You Counselling Centre

Deputy Director of Education, Singapore Buddhist Federation
Chief Coordinator, Firefly Mission

Assistant Professor, National University of Singapore
 

3) Ms LOW Siew Kiang

Country Coordinator (Sri Lanka), Firefly Mission

4) Mr. SO Sun Sing, Land surveyor

CEO, So Sun Sing Sdn Bhd
Country Coordinator (Malaysia), Firefly Mission

5) Mr. CHAN Chow Wah

Administrator & Country Coordinator (Bangladesh), Firefly Mission
Manager of German MNC heading the export division (market includes Sri Lanka)

MSc Social Anthropology, London School of Economics, UK
(Dissertation: Sinhalese Cultural Identity)

Fellow, Royal Anthropological Institute, UK

Member, American Anthropological Association

6) Mr. CHIA Soo Hock

Project Management Consultant
Coordinator (Logistics), Firefly Mission

Sri Lanka Team Members

Welfare organisations:

?          Kalyanamitta Foundation

?          Sri Lanka Foundation for Buddhist Media and Social Development.

Sri Lankan project coordinator:

?          Mr. G. A. Joseph Sylvester, Government Agent/District Secretariat-Colombo

Duties and Responsibilities

These two welfare organisations will manage the community centres, organising the activities.

Mr. G. A. Joseph Sylvester, Government Agent/District Secretariat-Colombo will work closely with the 2 welfare organisations to monitor the progress of the project.

We will also appoint 2 Singaporeans as project manager and project quantity surveyor to work with the Sri Lankan counterparts to ensure work is progressing smoothly.

At the end of each stage, Sri Lankan project monitor, Mr. G. A. Joseph Sylvester, and Singapore project manager and project quantity surveyor will submit a report to verify that work has been completed and accordingly to plan.

Funds for the next stage of construction will be released when satisfactory report is received.

A Singaporean Chartered Public Accountant will be appointed to ensure proper handling of funds and accountability.

Firefly members will also make on site inspections and communicate frequently with the District Secretariat and the 2 welfare organisations to keep track of progress and visit the sites regularly to inspect progress.