After watching endless TV news reports of the Tsunami devastation, I felt that I no longer idly sit by as a spectator. Despite the mollifying claims that the billions pledged everyday from people around the world would save these people, the endless footage of the destruction streamed across my screen with no images of homes being rebuilt or people’s lives being restored.

Although, the images of destruction faded from the headlines, still the donations continued to grow, yet there was neither evidence nor breaking new reports of any real progress being made in the relief effort. It began to occur to me that if I wanted to see results, I would actually have to get off my butt and do something about it.

I had been talking to family and friends about my vision for CAN-DO Organization, but if I was going to make that dream come true I had to put my money where my mouth was- Soon after, I purchased a ticket to Sri Lanka and set off with a two-man documentary crew in tow.

My mission, once I landed, was to provide whatever aid I could to the afflicted people of the country and to document not only our progress but the official relief efforts we had all heard so much about. What I actually discovered in Sri Lanka turned my world upside down.

Our plan was to head straight to Arugam Bay, the North West region of the country that had the tragic privilege of making the headline news for a short time.   At our hotel we met a bellman named Pryanta, who spoke to us about his village, Mahamodara, and asked if we could please stop there on the way to Arugam Bay.  We arrived in Mahamodara on February 11th, with our driver and interpreter, Shrimal, who ended up joining our crew and proved an invaluable asset to our team.

As our cameras recorded our work, it became disturbingly evident that the billions of dollars in donations that had been raised for the tsunami relief efforts had failed to reach these people most desperately in need of aid. After speaking with villagers up and down the coastline, we learned that in fact only a fraction of the aid money the West thought was reaching these people had actually been put to any real physical use.

Even more disturbing was that the supplies distributed by various Non Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) were often useless, and those crates of EXPIRED medicine and supplies that had been disseminated, were being haphazardly distributed between villages resulting in additional chaos.

It became evident that the forces of Bureaucracy and Greed had tragically interposed themselves between the money and the people who needed it most.

In light of these on-going problems CAN-DO.org has found ways to help bring much needed support and aid to these villagers.  Rather than getting involved in the "statistic gathering" posturing that so many relief groups seem to expend the majority of their efforts and personnel on (must of whom it should be noted, live quite comfortably in luxury hotels and drive brand new imported $80,000- dollar vehicles). Just for the record, it cost us less than $1,500 dollars to pack a large truck with enough supplies for a village of 350 families… the truck- less than $10 dollars for the day.

Thankfully, not all was lost. In our search to provide real relief to these people we discovered a number of organizations on the ground in Sri Lanka making a positive impact, albeit slowly.

We also became aware of a number of smaller and private organizations like CAN-DO who have taken it upon themselves to travel to Sri Lanka and find their own ways of responsibly providing assistance to the tsunami victims.

Still, nearly six months after the deadly tsunami struck Sri Lanka, large numbers of it populace continue to live in makeshift camps while awaiting a move by the government to provide promised housing.  What concerned me the most is the way the International media had irresponsibly turned its backs (and cameras) on these people, allowing the public to believe that everything has returned to normal.  Unfortunately, this could not have been further from the truth. 

The world's Asian relief effort is the largest in history, yet surveying the enormity of the devastation I was witnessing, I couldn’t help but contemplate one equally enormous question- WHERE DID ALL THE MONEY GO???

Although, I have my suspicions, maybe we should go straight to the source and ask them that very question… Seeing that a number of these private organizations are the only the one’s who hold the true answers.

An NGO’s primary function is, pursue activities to relieve suffering, promote the interests of the poor, protect the environment, provide basic social services, or undertake community development. To obtain these goals they rely on our charitable donations. Judging by the quick response of the International community just days after the deadly tsunami we all assumed that these efforts would be in place by now.

To this day, in Sri Lanka, the tsunami victims are playing the "waiting game" (they want no part in), with no solution in sight to the newly installed "The 100 Meter Law" (also called the "Set-Back Zone").  This piece of brilliant legislature states that the people are NOT allowed to build or rebuild their homes within 100 meters of the ocean. 

Therefore, the FIVE MILLION displaced villagers who once had their homes in this very area are now without land to build on. Instead they are forced to either relocate to the jungle and live in temporary makeshift one room shacks, or live in small tents designed for much cooler climates. There has been no “real” visible dialogue between the government decision makers and the affected people regarding the government's plan for the future. 

Yet astoundingly (or is it), the tourist areas and villages surrounding these lucrative luxury areas, are back up and running- rebuilding, prospering while poorer communities cannot make decisions on where to start.

Because of the country’s social welfare and relief systems that have failed to deliver in the aftermath of the disaster (claiming one excuse or another), the Sri Lankan people, are forced to rely on NGO’s and private international donors (whom are only able to operate in the country with the “permission” of the government).

After living and working in these small villages among these amazing people I can honestly tell you that not enough is being done by the government, the NGO’s or to make a difference. With just $50,000 dollars CAN-DO has rehabilitated several villages, a hospital, built a community well, cleared over a one mile strip of coastline, cleared several cesspools, jump-started several small businesses, and restored the lives of hundreds in less than three months.

That’s right just $50,000 (my savings). Not so incredible when you look at the exchange rate- one American dollar is equivalent (or close to) one hundred rupee’s. Think about that…

Imagine what could be accomplished with the BILLIONS pledged to date.

Even with the impact that we have made, there is still so much work to do. CAN-DO will continue, with your help and support, to provide aid and relief to tsunami survivors. The following list details several key projects that we are actively pursuing at this time:

• Continue to evaluate and rehabilitate villages affected by the Tsunami disaster.
• Provide a means of a sustainable livelihood along with basic medical care and counseling.
• Assist the efforts to rebuild homes and clear unsafe structures.
• Assist in the development of new business opportunities.
• Continue to improve basic living conditions.
• Obtain permission to develop and build a Recreation Center including soccer and cricket fields.

CAN-DO would especially like to thank all of the people who have helped us with their time and donations and who continue to share our vision for our organization and the Tsunami Relief Program. It is because of your belief and support that we have been able to achieve a number of our goals. So rather that telling you of our efforts,  CAN-DO wants to show you what one person, a video camera, and the villages willingness to rebuild their lives are capable of.

Anyone interested in participating with Can-Do and the projects that we are working on is encouraged to contact me for further details. Together we really can make a difference!

Eric Klein, Founder