Anthony Kumar House: A continuation of PBF housing in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka faces high vulnerability to natural hazards like severe floods, landslides and droughts.These risks are exacerbated by climate change and rapid urban development. The most devastating events include monsoon-driven disasters and tropical cyclones. In 2004, approximately 35,000 people died in Sri Lanka during the devastating Tsunami
PBF has built more than 2000 houses in Sri Lanka over the years. The families identified for housing were very poor rural folks who lived in what could only be called temporary caves. They were exposed to harsh climatic conditions and vulnerability to wild animals especially Elephants which destroyed their homes and crops. Peter with the locals led by Fr. Joseph Tissera and Mr. Nicholas Nanayakkara embarked on identification of the very needy in various villages in Puttalam and Kurunagala districts.
The original houses were simple 3 roomed but well built with bricks for wall and tiles for roofing.. The beneficiaries were encouraged to take care of their houses and expand them later if they so wished.
This shows literally that PBF is a ‘Foundation’ that gives the very needy the first building stone from where they can lay more stones and build their lives for better.
Anthony Kumar is one of the thousands of the natural disaster victims. He is a person living with disability caused by polio infection who met Dr. Peter Bachmann in Negombo, Sri Lanka in 1996. In his own words years later, this meeting changed his life completely because PBF understood his situation and supported him over the years. Through this support, he managed to get a driving licence, acquired a three-wheeler taxi and turned his humble house into a simple Guest house, The Grace Homestay. Anthony lives in a flood-prone area of Negombo.
Each year, when floods strike, Anthony must flee with his wife and children, struggling to move belongings and ensure everyone’s safety. This is not an occasional hardship, it happens almost every year. Rebuilding, cleaning, and starting over has become a painful cycle that the family goes through every time the calamity of floods and cyclone strikes.
He made a request for a new house to be built on a raised ground for a permanent solution to his family’s annual problem of flood water in their residence and guest house.
Our representative, in Sri Lanka, Mr. Sanath Liyanage has identified a professional contractor who has started with building a flood proof foundation for the building. The construction is ongoing and at last the Kumar family will be safe from the perennial flooding that affect the coastal residents of Negombo.
Anthony and his family are very thankful for PBF
Dan Amolo
For PBF