Sewalanka Foundation Mannar District Office knows through practical experience that psychosocial work goes hand in hand with development; this is demonstrated through their experience in Oliathoduwai Village.

Sewalanka volunteer in Oliathoduwai believes befriending is the most important part of her job, in order to build trust.

The Oliathoduwai community were displaced many times during the conflict, and prior to their resettlement in Oliathoduwai, many took shelter at one of the six welfare centres located in Mannar.

Dislocation, including protracted stays at these centres, saw deteriorations in education, cultural and social values, paving the way toward widespread social problems such as alcohol and drug addiction, depression and abuse of women and children.

In 2003 those families still in the welfare centres volunteered to return to their homes in Oliathoduwai along with an additional 40 “non local” families. Donor agencies assisted in the relocation process. UNHCR provided technical support and much needed materials like cement and cadjans for construction of vital facilities such as drinking water wells and temporary shelters, community hall and school.

At this time Sewalanka Mannar Office, with the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), began working in Oliathoduwai. Sewalanka was able to reinforce the basic needs of these people through sinking two wells, constructing 70 toilets, rehabilitating inner roads and providing relevant job-oriented training, as well as a micro-finance facility. At present a preschool is under construction, enterprise development and job training is underway, a small loans scheme is in place, and training on the strengthening of CBOs is being undertaken.

Psychosocial programme.

More than just providing material assistance, Sewalanka identified psychosocial problems as a result of displacement that needed to be addressed.

Therefore, Sewalanka with the assistance of Helvetas, launched the Psychosocial Program. Specially trained officers meet villagers individually and informally through “befriending”, they conduct awareness workshops and seminars on issues including women, children and alcohol, and host special events.

According to Mannar District Director Annet Royce, development plans and psychosocial programmes have shared interests and therefore Sewalanka finds it easy to implement these simultaneously. “When we first entered Olaithoduwai, we found it to be full of social problems. Alcoholism, violence against women and children, laziness, neglect of common facilities such as wells and poor basic hygiene were commonplace. A community with so many problems cannot easily be mobilised, and a poorly mobilised community will not effectively develop”.

The developmental benefits

Through combining a psychosocial and development approach, psychosocial concerns are addressed in a way that meets Sewalanka development objectives. Annet cites the successful one-year completion of the DRC project in Olaithoduwai as a clear indicator of achievement in this approach. Within one year the DRC project has almost been completed – as the result of local involvement. Locals contributed unskilled labour in well construction, and 50 families are currently involved in savings and credit components with all showing progress and meeting repayments.

“This is a great achievement, people are working together for the development of their community. It would not have been possible if we did not have a psychosocial project in this area to challenge the ‘welfare mentality’”, she said.

While it gives staff pleasure to see that villagers here are more enthusiastic and happier now than earlier, all agree that there is much more to be done to address psychosocial needs.

Mannar and Vavuniya are the two Districts in which Sewalanka has a targeted psychosocial programme”

>> For further information on Mannar District activities please contact:
Ms Annet Royce, District Director on 0)23 223 2702