We have an urgent request from our Sri Lanka Institute for Simplified Hydroponics for assistence in helping the nearly one million left homeless by the recent earthquake on Dec 26, 2004.
The UN World Food Program just published their food needs assessment for Sri Lanka. This points out that the most in need, women with small children were not receiving enough calories a day even before the tsunami. It is with this group we
are most committed to help.
Lanka ISH is Proposing an International Workshop
The Sri Lanka Dept of Agriculture Director of the Western region, Dr. Thilak T. Ranasinghe, has published two papers on the internet about using simplified hydroponics in microgrdems in Sri Lanka.
1. Approaching With "Family Business Garden": A New Dimension Of Urban Agricultural Extension In Colombo, Sri Lanka
2. FAMILY BUSINESS GARDENS: AGRICULTURAL OPTIONS IN REMODELING & MODERNISING TSUNAMI DEVASTATED TOWNSHIPS IN SRI LANKA
Sri Lanki ISH, or LISH is currently working in projects in the area of Colombo, introducing the technology to families in need. The center has received funding from USAID to train the current director, Susil
Dr.Susil Liyanarachchi who was the Projects Director of ITDG South Asia Operations. He is now the executive director of LISH. USAID funded him in being trained by the Mexico ISH in how to set up an Institute and train people in the technology.
The Sri Lanka affiliate began in Feb 2, 2002.
Susil and others of the Institute are sending us urgent appeals to help them meet the current crisis. The proposal being formed is to produce a 15 hour video of the training course that can be broadcast or
viewed in the affected areas of the country. This is partly necessary because portions of the area are unsafe to travel.
