Disasters seem to dodge Sha Azeez (51) every decade. In 1978 his home was destroyed because of a cyclone. In the 1980s his property was confiscated by the Tamil Tiger terrorists. After living in a camp he rebuilt with the 2,500 rupees re-location costs given to him by the government.
Azeez gave us a picture of his home today in Kathankandi, Batticaloa. He used to live here with his wife M. A. Rajeena (48) and this four grown children - three daughters and one son.
The waves destroyed his home and the three small houses he had built as dowries for his three daughters.
Now Azeez lives in a camp in Pollanuwa with his family. He receives 275 rupees (approx. $3) a week for dry rations. An additional sum of 5,000 rupees (about $51) has been promised but they have they have not received this yet.
My comprehension of tamil is deplorable but from what I was able to piece together with my mother acting as my interpreter, the living conditions in the camp were hard especially because of the heat during the day. Sri Lanka is currently heading towards drought conditions.
We met Azeez when he visited our neighbours. Azeez earns a living by teaching in a neighbourhood mosque.
Rajeena is traumatized by the ocean. Azeez told us that a friend had offered some land inland in Polgahawela to build a small home. Azeez said that he would be fine living in the foothills and that the area had a thriving muslim community so he could continue to teach.
We were able to give him 98,000 Sri-Lankan rupees to help towards his house.
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