 ORT to Implement Post-Tsunami Training Programs in India and Sri Lanka |
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January 19, 2006 - India and Sri Lanka - ORT is working to implement post-tsunami training programs and trauma counseling to devasted areas of India and Sri Lanka as part of the post-Tsunami recovery effort. ORT experts have identified local initiatives and partners in order to contribute to the long-term recovery process. With funding from the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, the Jewish Coalition for Asia Tsunami Relief, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, ORT will provide the Education for India's Islanders project in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands as well as a Vocational Training project. Many of the schools were completely destroyed and authorization was received from the government of India to rebuild the schools. ORT is supporting various schools including: the Chouldari School, CFO Nallah School and the Chainpur School on Middle Andaman Island and the Bloomsdale School on South Andaman Island. The schools have reopened and many were completely rebuilt. As a result, new courses of study have been introduced to help the local population gain new job skills and help rebuild the local economy - computer education, school administration software, accreditation program, management training, aptitude assessment and evaluation, teachers training program, morals and values education, child youth and development (including yoga), disaster management, extracurricular activities, social service awareness and student, teacher and staff awards. In Sri Lanka, ORT is working with the Shilpa's Children Trust and Women's Development Federation to provide technical assistance and training programs that will help the tsunami survivors rebuild and begin to return to normalcy. The partnerships are based on results-oriented initiatives focused on vocational training and livelihood recovery and trauma counseling for displaced children and orphans support. ORT is also working with Shilpa and the Women's Development Federation (WDF) - Hambanthota to conduct vocational training for women affected by the tsunami. On December 26, 2004, 898 members of the WDF lost their lives due to the tsunami. The ORT sponsored training consists of income generation skills including: hand embroidery, sewing, cooking, and cosmetology. Source: Sarina Roffe, National Communications Director, Women's American ORT |
