The December 26, 2004 tsunami was the first in a series of disasters shocking the world – and revealing the terrible issues of those living with the aftermath.
TRIP Canada is a volunteer organization formed by a motivated group to offer Canadians the opportunity to get involved in developing countries and changing lives – forever. A grass-roots organization, TRIP's initial commitment was to help tsunami victims through a program to rebuild homes, lives and communities.
TRIP Canada’s Program: Transforming Homes, Schools, Temples and Family Lives
Since 2005, TRIP's volunteers and donors have been rebuilding homes and creating sustainable futures on the island of Sri Lanka where 500,000 were left homeless by the giant waves.
Initially TRIP purchased three acres of land to build a new community for families living in temporary shelters near Tangalle. This village was completed in February 2007 with 24 new homes, a community centre, playground and two retail shops.
From 2007 to 2010, TRIP rebuilt 20 more family homes in the surrounding community. At all times, our rebuilding programs include hiring local workers to provide employment and learn from their expertise.
In 2007 TRIP started to support education initiatives to increase the opportunities for young people in the community. At present TRIP funds a number of after-school programs and is sponsoring post-graduate students.
Recently TRIP learned that the local school had become derelict and unable to adequately support the educational needs of the community. Rising to the new opportunity, the April 2011 volunteer team rebuilt four classrooms completing phase 1 of the needed reconstruction.
TRIP's goal for the next two years is to completely revitalize the school into a clean, safe and highly functional learning environment. When complete it will serve 200 children from entry level through high school. In addition, in 2011 the volunteers started to work on the local Temple - an equally rewarding and much needed project.
TRIP delivers support through teams of volunteers spending two weeks of their time and energy on-site working alongside families school teachers and the children helping them rebuild and renew. For 2012 and 2013, the volunteers will continue to rebuild the school and Temple.
We need people and organizations that care about others in our global community. People and organizations interested in an opportunity to make a difference. To touch people. To demonstrate leadership. To make a lasting contribution.
