This project is initiated and carried out by Ceylon Christian Care Foundation and has it's own .
Geographical situation
Murrukoddanchenai is situated just 12 km north of Batticaloa and covers an circular area of about 2 km diameter. To the east it has the ocean on 2.5 km distance and a to the west the lagune on 1 km distance. To the south the border is the railway line coming from Trincomalee going to Batticaloa. To the north there is no clear border (some open space land).
History of the people of the village
The people of Murrukoddanchenai are replaced by the government from their original village to this piece of land due to the effects of the war. They are indirectly affected by the tsunami since no help is given to them allthough they lost their boats and fishing equipment. The reasons behind this are twofold: since they don't live in the tsunami area (they are 2.5 km land inwards) AND since they are treated as outcasts.
Statistics
There are about 450 families with an average size of 6 making a total of about 3000 people (the base line statistical survey is conducted right now....this section will be updated soon).
People
More than 100 men are killed in the war and also a number of women and therefore many widows and orphans can be found in the village. The income of the village people is very limited some of them earning almost no money (50 Rs/day) since they are old or disabled and some of them making poor money (150-200 Rs/day) since they are doing low paid daily jobs like fishing. Since they have no capital they always have to work for others: the money they make they spend on food and some basic form of clothing.
Needs & Solutions
Needs are described shortly and also the solution in a very rough way, since the base . Since all families will be treated equally and also in the same pace we try to achieve a development process which is fully supported by the villagers.
Water
Everyone drinks from the pond which is very unhygienic. Water wells will be given on a scale of 1 well for 10 families. Later on they will be given the opportunity to build their own well using bricks and morter.
Sanitation
Latrines are missing, people use the bushes. Latrines will be built on each families' own plot. This proces will take considerable money and time. The most vulnerable families will be treated with priority.
Hygiene
To make people aware of the need of good hygiene instruction materials will be produced. Each familiy will get his plastic laminated copy of it. Most importantly regular lessons will be organised to make them create a habit of proper hygiene.
Nutrition
Since the income levels are low proper nutrition is a big problem (some families eat only 1 meal per day and this meal consists of bad water with plain rice without anything else). Also instruction materials will be produced and spread and regular instruction sessions will be organised. On this moment a nutritional feeding program is running in a shed attached to the church/community center.
Medical care
Since medical care is free of cost the only thing needed here is proper means of transport. For this purpose a 3-wheeler riksja has been ordered it will be operated by a village driver and can be used by any village member free of cost. (On this moment two persons have been taken care of: a small girl with a infected ear and and older lady with a infected hand).
Medical Clinics have been carried out to set the base line.
Habitation
Living conditions are very sober: people are sleeping on sand in small huts with walls made of tin sheet and some timber/wood, they have palmtree leaf roofs which are not water proof. Electiricty is available but not affordable therefore most of them have no lighting system at all.
Infrastructure - communication
The villagers have now access (at cost price level) to a a so-called village phone (using wire less technology).
Income
As part of the registration process all villagers have received a basic grant which is registred on their family card.
Various sources of income are there: mainly fishermen (throwing nets, labour fishermen), fisherwomen( shrimp fishing). (After finishing the base line survey this section will be updated).
Together with the people who come will all the ideas we try to finish/polish/fine tune the ideas to real micro business plans. Income is regarded the most important thing by the villagers and we agree, however we will in parallel start with drinking water and sanitation (after micro credits are given this section will be updated).
Some impressions
Basic Living Conditions
Discussions with the villagers
Current village drinking water supply
Fishing is hard working
Current kitchen
Very poor BUT ALSO very friendly
Rev. Dr. Jeyanesan discussing the situation of two women (Young widow of 26 years old for already 10 years and her mother having a village shop together).
Coming back from work: shrimp fishing. The grief over their lost husbands, the hard work and malnutrition make them look much older than they are.
Young, very poor however a very happy family willing to work on better future !
Projects 
