Tsunami - 7 years Ago

Yesterday was the 7th anniversary of Indian Ocean Tsunami that ravaged Sri Lanka in 2004.

Leslie was on my mind for some time. Do not know why. I met him about 6 years ago, in the Galle district of Sri Lanka during a field trip to assess the impact of a tsunami recovery project of the organisation I was working for.

Leslie left an indelible mark on my mind; and his face kept re- surfacing when many a time; I was on a roller coaster ride with life.

I am not a good architect of words to explain the destruction and havoc that 2004 tsunami caused in the island. The least I could say is... it was apocalyptic... A doomsday movie coming true in real life. I sincerely hope that I do not get to witness the same in my life time again. The tragedy was unprecedented. The trauma of those who survived was benumbing. The shock of it froze the bones of all those who witnessed and heard the tragic tales. The wailing of those who vanished continued to echo for a very long time along the shores.

Leslie was affected by the tsunami. He had lost his job, since the hotel where he worked as housekeeping assistant no longer existed or only partly existed. The business was closed and he was left with a family and no job – just like thousands of others who had survived by sheer stroke of luck.

Humanitarian assistance also flowed in like the tsunami. The island witnessed the height of solidarity to reach the needy – in pain and tragedy human beings relate to one another better.

Leslie received a small financial assistance to start a new livelihood – carpentry. The institution that I was working for was assisting people to rebuild their lives. Leslie, despite all the tragedy that met him, was smiling. It was evident that many people visit him to hear the living tale of how he braved the tsunami, when I noticed that he was already getting ready to be photographed.

One of the challenging (and sometimes painful) moments of a development worker is to meet a ‘beneficiary’ to evaluate progress from a project perspective. The whole paradigm of benefactor and the beneficiary. The benefactor’s over sized sense of benevolence. And the gratitude of the beneficiary. The whole development jargon tends to be clinical – just like a doctor’s approach to a patient. Faces hardly matter. I know I am digressing. But still to drive home a different point, I would like to mention the film Patch Adams, a humorous but soul-searching film, inspired by a true story, enacted by Robin Williams. Still I remember a scene, where Patch Adams, the black sheep of that particular batch of medical students follows the Professor, when he takes his students for the ward round. The doctor refers to the patients in terms of their ‘illness’ or as a ‘case.’ Patch Adams wondered why they could not be called by their names instead...! I remember this scene, very often, with photographic precision.

My colleague and I had to walk down an interior lane to trace Lesley’s house. There he was, waiting for us, shockingly surprised that we had been on time! Leslie’s hospitality never got washed away with the tsunami. He explained his new beginnings when I listened intently. Leslie had bought some new tools which would enable him to start carpentry at the basic level. His eyes welled up with tears when he said ‘ your agency’s assistance mattered to me 200 percent, not just 100 percent! I am so thankful...” I sat there wondering it was such a miniscule contribution – not even half a drop in the ocean. Yet, someone was expressing 200 percent gratitude. Unbelievable.

The general trend among human beings and those who receive assistance is to complain what is not given. Leslie was an exception.

About 6 months later, the second tranche of assistance was given. For the final evaluation of progress I travelled down again.

There was Leslie, in his new home, built by his hard labour and the financial assistance he had received from some other agency ( I think the government). I hardly knew that I was going to listen to an incredible story of astounding integrity.

“Give madam that piece of cake.” He was ordering his son, who along with his father had built the two small but two-storied, house.”

Leslie was able to finish the construction of his house for a lesser amount than the aid he received because of his contribution in terms of carpentry / masonry work along with family members. So, he RETURNED the balance money so that it could be given to some other needy person. 

I could not believe my ears. I had not been humbled by anything before or after that moment in life... In this divisive world, where profits matter more than relationships, where corruption is treated more like a right than a crime, in a remote village of Galle, Sri Lanka, there lived a man, who returned his aid money, which was his due, so that it could be useful for someone more needy.

Period.

Six years ago that I met Leslie. But his memories are still fresh. Now as I write this, I am encouraged to make a trip south to Galle, to visit Leslie, and sip an over-sugary cup of tea, which is a symbol of the highest level of his hospitality. I do not take milk tea; no sugar either. But if Leslie offers, I think I will.