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Family's mission: aid tsunami victims

A Dunedin mother and son are hoping to raise $1,400 - enough money to build a home in Sri Lanka.

By MEGAN SCOTT
Published January 31, 2005

DUNEDIN - Lynne Faimalie and her 16-year-old son have never been to Sri Lanka.

But they are raising money to rebuild the country, one home at a time.

Faimalie and her son, Mark, who live in Dunedin, were compelled to do something after last month's tsunami ravaged South Asia. They wanted to make sure their money was going toward a worthy cause. So when they received a letter from Habitat for Humanity International, they saw their opportunity.

"They said, for $1,400, they could see that a house would be built in Sri Lanka," said Faimalie, a teacher. "I said to Mark, "Do you think we know enough people to get money to pay for an entire house?"'

Carol Dunn of Dunedin was one of the first to donate to the Faimalies' campaign.

"By helping a family move to stable, decent housing, the family has the foundation on which to build a new life," she said. "Tents and plastic and bottles of water and food are crucial emergency relief, but they don't help beyond today. A home does that."

So far, the Faimalies, who donate to Habitat regularly, have raised $462 for Habitat for Humanity International, as part of its $25-million effort to rebuild 25,000 homes. The organization estimates that for $200, it can move a family of five out of a refugee camp into a one-room house. Once the Faimalies raise $1,400, they are going to forward the money to the organization.

"It's really clear what this money is going to," Faimalie said. "I think it would be nice to say, "I helped a specific house get built.' If we get a big response, we will try for two houses."

Habitat for Humanity International so far has raised $10-million, said Duane Bates, spokesman for the organization.

He said volunteers in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia and India are building one-room houses. Once those are finished, they will go back and expand them. The project is expected to take three to five years.

"It's going to be an ongoing effort," Bates said. "But we're building as quickly as possible."

--Megan Scott can be reached at 445-4167 or mscott@sptimes.com

[Last modified January 31, 2005, 00:38:15]