Mrs. Jeyanthi(26) / Pandirupu

It was just one month ago in February 2007 that Mrs. Jeyanthi (26),her husband (31)and their three children (5, 6, 9)received their rain water harvesting tank by Malteser International and Lanka Rain Water Harvesting Forum. The family uses the rainwater for drinking but boil it before. Before the tsunami they drank well water, but this is not safe to drink anymore. The wells in the neighbourhood contain salty water. After the tsunami they got their water from a bowser provided by the government. "We are very happy with our rainwater harvesting tank", says Mrs. Jeyanthi. It took some time till they got used to the system of collecting rainwater in tanks, as they had never heard about this before: "We thought it's very strange at the beginning, but now we find it very normal." Mrs. Jeyanthi uses the rainwater they collect mainly for drinking and cooking. For the domestic tasks she uses the contaminated well water.

Mrs. Seeni Umma (65), Alamkulam

Alamkulam, about eight kilometres inland, is a resettled village. The houses for 50 families were built after the tsunami. However, as the village is not connected to a pipe system, Malteser International and Lanka Rainwater Harvesting Forum offer a rainwater harvesting tank to every family. Mrs. Seeni Umma (65) has been living here with her husband (70) and her son (14) for eight months. They had lived in Addalachenai—Gonawatta before the tsunami. In some days the rainwater harvesting next to their house will be finished. Up to now the family drinks well water - after boiling - and water from the bowsers if available. "When I first heard about the rainwater harvesting tanks, I thought that's strange. But I'll drink the rainwater, when the tank is finished."

Katrin Rehfuss, February 2007