Located in the District of Ampara the village of Sri Vallipuram is home to 73 Kuraver (gypsy) families. Traditionally nomadic, these families have chosen to take up residence in Thirukovil D.S. Division after recently receiving permanent housing from an INGO.

At the beginning of 2007, the Kanapathipillai family lived in the Panankandadichenai hamlet of Manmunai West DS Division, Batticaloa District expecting as they always did to cultivate highland crops twice that year. In March however, intensified artillery and air attacks nearby left the Kanapathipillai family and dozens of others in the village homeless. They found shelter in a welfare camp. During their 3 month's stay in the welfare camp, the family endured many hardships and inconveniences typical of such circumstances; inadequate space to sleep, no proper latrine and drinking water facilities and no school for the children.

The Paranagovipola School in Lahugala, Ampara district, has 136 students and is one of the 6 schools participating in the SAH/Solidar School Gardens programme. The programme aims to create sustainable gardens which will help improve the nutrient value of the mid-day meal provided by the World Food Programme. The gardens also provide a model to promote knowledge and the practical skills of organic farming, agricultural technologies and natural resource management within both the school and the community.

The drive to the Rotary Village of Sengamam, a tsunami resettlement village in Amapara district is both idyllic and lively - kids catching fish, a little boy on a swing, farmers tending to their crops - are just some of the sights greeting all visitors. Nothing, however, is quite as abuzz with activity as the quaint little tea shop in the heart of this village.

Sudharshani, a livelihood cash grant beneficiary used the money she received to stock up the shop which she runs in the village of Mandanai, Ampara district. She now makes a profit of US$ 4 a day which goes a long way to feed her family and educate the children.

Walking in to Sugana’s house one can’t escape the shrieks of joy and laughter as the kids in the neighbourhood all huddle around a little something in Sugnana’s arms. Sugana shows us her bundle of joy with pride and tells us her name is Seetha. Seetha was born this morning to one of the goats Sugana purchased with the livelihood cash grant she received from Solidar.

Recently we have heard one too many tragic stories about people being caught up in the frontlines of renewed fighting between security forces and the LTTE that escalated to a new level in August 2006.

Despair and distress have been part of the lexicon when referring to Internally Displaced People (IDPs) and their plight, but now, for women like Pushbaraja Nagapoosani, it is not entirely bad news - something good, too, has come out of yet another horrific experience of displacement: income support though a community cadjan-weaving business.