World Vision provides 135 houses for needy

World Vision Lanka (WVL) has funded over Rs. 6.7 million to complete 135 houses in the Weerakatiya area. WVL in a special project has helped these families in different capacities to build their homes, starting from the laying of foundation to sheltering.

Weerakatiya Area Development Project (ADP) Manager Jayantha Fernando said prior to the commencement of the housing project, World Vision had conducted a workshop for recipients. Expert "Advice of an engineer was made available to families to minimise the frauds. Considering the economic conditions, building their own house was a great challenge and we had to motivate the families before providing the funds", the ADP Manager said.

It was revealed that 298 children were among the 135 families. Children in 11 families were single parent and a few were differently-abled, said K.C. Nagoda, a WVL programme coordinator.

One of the recipients, A.G. Swarnalatha, who had been living in a wattle and daub house for 10 years with six children, said her husband had laid foundation for a brick house nine years ago but he had died under tragic circumstances. His demise was unbearable to the family, both emotionally and financially, she said. The next phase of the hosing project will commence soon, the ADP Manager said.