January 2007

A draft Report of the Social Work Programme was handed over to the Social Work Advisor on his return to Sri Lanka. The intention is to further discuss the report, make changes if applicable and then finalize the report.

Self studies were done on Training Programmes on the PRA system.

The Team worked at the Arukgoda Housing Scheme discussing water and sanitation provisions and the social problems encountered by the people living in the Housing Scheme. 

Ratmalana

The Priest in Charge of the Moratuwa sub office and the Social workers had a meeting with the District Secretary of Ratmalana regarding the selection of beneficiaries for the G+3 flats.

The Social Work Team accompanied the new Social Work Co ordinator to visit the G+3 flats project site.

Pallansena 

The team visited ten families in the Pallensena housing settlement area.

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February 2007

The Social Work Team meets weekly to evaluate the activities of the previous week and plan for the following week.

Participation of the Team in the Animators monthly progress meeting,

Liyanawatte – Payagala sub office Kalutara

Several meetings were held with the Parish Priest to find a solution to the problems that arose between the people of the Liyanawatte Housing Settlement and those neighbouring the settlement. These meetings were facilitated by social work animator Shiral.

Caritas Germany staff have visited the site many times and at a meeting held on 16 February between the Parish Priest of Payagala and the residents of the settlement it was decided to re organize the social work activities.

Some of the residents of the Liyanawatte settlement have suggested the following:

The drainage system at the settlement has to be repaired and properly maintained

Erect a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary for public veneration

Construct the chimneys for the kitchens of the houses

Provide a playground for Children

To consider the nomination of animator Uchita as a social work animator (efforts are under way to get this done)

These suggestions are being considered.

Social work animator Shiral was transferred back to his former position as Livelihood animator at Beruwela. Therefore, the Liyanawatte settlement is now without Social Work animators and work is at a standstill. Action is in hand to address this problem.

Ratmalana – Colombo sub office – Moratuwa

The Social Work and Livelihood Teams work together organizing awareness programmes on Primary Health Care.

The Social Work Team had several discussions with the Divisional Secretary Ratmalana regarding the settlement of beneficiaries at the G+3 flats Ratmalana. A decision by the Divisional Secretary is awaited,

Animator Sumith Jayasekera resigned his position wef the end of February

Animator Dexter has now been reverted to his former position as Livelihood Animator by the Priest in Charge of the Moratuwa sub office. Therefore, the G+3 flats at Ratmalana now do not have the services of a Social animator. Steps are underway to remedy the situation.

Pallansena – Negombo sub office

The Social Work Team are discussing with the Parish Priest and the Human Development Committee of Pallansena to organize Social Development programmes according to the needs of the people of the Pallansena Housing Settlement.

At meetings between the Caritas Germany staff and the Parish Priest of Pallansena it was agreed that instructions should go out to the contractors to complete the housing settlement by the end of March 2007.

The Social Work Team is to conduct a Needs Assessment of the Beneficiaries of the settlement.

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