Breaking down the old shelter Starting on the new temporary museum extension
De door and windows where the aluminium and glass will come
PROJECT UPDATE 8 march 2007
I have been here for now a small two weeks en time flys. It is very nice to be back here, to see all the locals again and to work on the projects. A lot has changed since I was here last year, but also a lot of things didn't and it feels very confident. The mosquitoes are very glad I am back an always know where to find me after sunset. After a lot of welcome rice and Curry's and tea we have settled in again. It is nice that is very village like here, so you meet all the people on the way.
It took some time to get everything started again. But at the moment I can say things are on the roll an it is up and running. Very soon as I got back I was remembered to the fact that everything takes so much longer to do here. For example it can easily take a week before you find an aluminium manufacture to make the doors and the windows. Therefor I have decided to put my energy to the museum at this stage, so I am able to finish it in time.
I am very happy to be working with my local assistants again to realise the projects: Ruchi, Ruwan, Sunny en Baron de Silva. Without them I would not be able to do all this.
Most important things have been started to start up the museum:
- The 2 windows and door have been ordered and will be placed next week.
- 1 photo table is being made by the carpenter that we helped last time.
- We bought up a second hand wooden shelter to make an temporary extension for the museum to create more wall space. Today we started the building of this extension. The carpenter that was supposed to do the job didn't turn up, but luckily we where able to find a new one.
- I have collected more photo material for the museum and I am meeting some people from the Galle photo association on saturday to see if they are interested to join up with the project. They had a temporary Tsunami photo exhibition last December in Galle Town Hall. I very nice to see that the people are willing to donate the pictures free of charge for the museum.
- I am still trying to find photos from before the Tsunami, but still no luck here. All the local material washed away with the Tsunami.
- The Galle library has some newspaper documentation about the Tsunami which they are willing to share with us. Also it seems that it is possible to order the old newspapers from the time of the Tsunami.
- I have started a drawing and writing competition for children in the neighbourhood. Children in the age of 6-18 can compete. We went to 7 schools in the area to tell them about this: Hikkaduwa, Totagamowa, Seenigama, Wenamulle, Parelyia, Kahawa en Akurala. In total that is about 2.000 children. The winners will be exhibit in the museum and they will get a certificate. Still working out how to judge so may pictures and looking for judges. But I have two weeks to think of an awnser. On the 22nd of march we will collect them from the schools.
- We have found a shop that can fix the road sign board for the museum on the road. I hope to place the order next week.
- Last time we made a fishermansshed which is not really being used at the moment. We are now trying to buy some more old wooden shelters to close the sides of the building and can use it as an extra exhibition space. Also I am thinking of making a special object where we can put the pictures of the people in the area who died during the Tsunami. This will be a starter for the real remembrance monument.
- The other photo table and library cub board are on hold, because at the moment not enough budget. We will see, may be some more people will make a donation in the next few weeks.
I HOPE TO OPEN THE MUSEUM ON THE 31ST OF MARCH
(This is also the birthday of the owner mr. Baron de Silva. He was very happy when he found out today)
Still a lot of work to do before the opening but with a bit of luck we will manage. This was it for now, hope to see you on my next blog.
