Team and helping hands……..

The project team from the University of Colombo consists of seven individuals from different subject areas. Having skilled and expertise in different areas it is a great chance for us to blend with people and to experiment the knowledge we have obtained through the learning process.

Oshini, Chinthani, Pemli, Shani, Lakshan, Thiwanka, Vimukthi

Team inside HLL

To make our first visit a success lot of people helped us throughout the process. The grama niladhari of Nelumwewa, Neil ayya, watcher at the water plant, and officers of Praja Mula Development Organization, some villagers and above all Mr. Upali and Mr. Prathap on behalf of HLL helped us in many aspects. A big thank you always goes to them……

Team with Neil ayya and Mr. Prathap

On our way .....

On our way to village, interviewing villagers on the issue

On the way to homes

Visiting a home

Villagers explaining the situation

It was certain that the people of the area live a miserable life. All the people we have communicated with proved the situation and they need a quick and a reasonable solution.

A Project by Holcim Lanka Pvt. Ltd.

Holcim Lanka Pvt. Ltd. (HLL) is a renowned company in Sri Lanka.  HLL has a cement plant at Palavi, a nearby village of Nelumwewa. HLL as a responsible company has built water tanks such that people can use water for washing and sanitary purposes. Those tanks were supplied with a continuous water supply. Yet this has become a waste of money and effort, since people neglect cleaning and caring tanks. Wilds have grown around the tank and water has become dirty.

Tanks built by HLL

Neglected tanks

Praja Mula Development Organization

Office of Praja Mula Organization

Praja Mula Development is a local organization formed by the villagers. This project supplies water to four villages namely Kalladi, Nelumwewa, Thammanagama and Bodhirajaramaya. Mee-oya, the only water reservoir present in the area acts as the origin for the water supply. This water supply has met with the daily consumption of the residents. Yet the water quality is far from the standards of the drinking water. The system consists of four large storage tanks where the pumping process shifts once in a four hours time. Still this water supply is a precious gift for their hard lives…… 

Water source of Praja Mula Development Organization 

Mee-oya

Mee-oya 

Mee-oya reservoir

Way of getting water in nelumwewa

Having insufficient water for drinking purpose is the major problem, which the villagers are engaged in. Thought they have introduced with several solutions, none of them have met with the needs. 

Rain water harvesting tank

The rainwater harvesting tank, which functions according to the rain fall. The lack of rain fall in the area has become the major crisis of this tank. Since this is supplied with a small filtering system, this becomes handy regarding the issue. Nevertheless people tend to use the rain water stored in the tank for an unnecessarily long period, which might lead them to harder and dramatic situations causing health problems.

Purchased gallons from the market

Purchasing mineral water from the market is the next promising solution they can come up with, which already they are doing. Yet this costs them a lot, which is not bearable due to their low income. At the same time the quality of those bottled water is not very promising. In such situations they have to go through some sort of a process to ensure the safety. Thus it’s not the best solution after all. 

Water supply of Praja Mula Development organization

Praja Mula Development Organization, a local organization has laid a water supplying system, which can be used only for washing purposes. Absence of a proper filtering system is the problem, for this critical situation. Positive point is, this water supply is available at any time of the day.

Abounded wells due to dirty water and lack of water in area

An abundant well 

Observing the situation

World Vision Programme has introduced a system of stone-wells, which didn’t benefit the villagers. If you visit the area you will be able to see those abandoned wells. Lack of rainfall and springs lead this solution to end up as a failure. Still the quality of the water from those wells was below the standards due to high salinity and hardness.

Nelumwewa

Nelumwewa is a village located in North western province, Puttalam district. The area belongs to the dry zone which receives between 1200-1900mm of rain annually. Much of the rain in this area falls from October to January. During the rest of the year there is small precipitation. Even then the area hasn’t received a proper rain since two years….

When we first visited the area, the hardened soil, withered grass and dusty, muddy coloured trees brought tears to our eyes. Our eyes were searching for some greenery, yet it was hopeless. Dried and salty wind brushed out the sweat, yet it didn’t bring any feeling of relaxation. Sun’s heat over the head made us dizzy. Dust clouds rose from the ground as we walked, at each step. Since it has been two years from a proper rain fall, it has become a saddening sight to watch the starving cattle. Having no option they were eating withered grass, as dried as hay….

Dried surroundings

Cattle eating withered grass

Introduction

Who are we

We are seven undergraduates from Faculty of Science, University of Colombo, Colombo 03, Sri Lanka. Who are following a course in Service-Learning and doing a CSR project about the water purification. Project is launched with the aid of Holcim Lanka Ltd. and the University of Colombo and it's about Drinking Water Quality Improvement in Kalladi, Puttalam.

What is CSR

CSR is Corporate social responsibility is a form of corporate self-regulation integrated into a business model. CSR policy functions as a built-in, self-regulating mechanism whereby a business monitors and ensures its active compliance with the spirit of the law, ethical standards, and international norms. The goal of CSR is to embrace responsibility for the company's actions and encourage a positive impact through its activities on the environment, consumers, employees, communities, stakeholders and all other members of the public sphere who may also be considered as stakeholders.

What is Service Learning

Service learning is a structured learning experience that blends voluntary community service with academic learning. Students engaged in service-learning provide community service in response to community-identified concerns and learn about the context in which service is provided, the connection between their service and their academic coursework, and their roles as citizens. Emphasis is placed on reflection, active student participation, and connecting the curriculum to the real world. Some service learning activities entail interdisciplinary work that makes connections across the curriculum.