The Duke of Gloucester visits houses constructed by
Habitat for Humanity in Minnerithanne, Kalutara
For many of those who lost their homes in the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, the Gift of a house was as important as the gift of life. Lucky are those who are blessed with both.
These blessings were granted to the new homeowners of Minnerithanne in the Kalutara District with the official opening of four of the thirty-five houses built by Habitat for Humanity and funded by the UK based Tear Fund.
The houses were officially handed over to the families by His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester when His Highness, accompanied by the British High Commissioner for Sri Lanka, Dr. Peter Hayes visited the Minnerithanne housing scheme. The distinguished guests were welcomed by Tony Senewiratne, National Director, Habitat for Humanity in Sri Lanka.
The Duke, who is the Patron for Habitat for Humanity spent time with the homeowners discussing the impact of the project funded by Tear Fund. Prior to the tsunami, most of the families, lived in Kalapuwa, Kattukurunde, an area affected by the tsunami. They had to wait for over three years before they could transfer to their new homes, during which time they lived like gypsies. Now, they told the Duke, they can begin living their life as normal people and they looked forward to it.
With a wide smile across his face, H.W.D. Ananda Abeywickrema and his family expressed their thanks and gratitude to Habitat for the timely completion of their home and the generous funding provided by Tear Fund to provide them with a decent house.
His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester, who was in Sri Lanka in connection with the opening of the new British High Commission planted a sapling of a Jak tree in the project compound to mark the occasion.
(Click on images for larger view)
H.W.D. Ananda Abeywickrema and his family-The Proud Homeowners. |
 HRH The Duke of Gloucester addresssing the gathered.
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 HRH planting a sapling of a Jak tree in the project compound to mark the occasion.
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