The following article has been written by Barbara Johnson from BAREFOOT in Moraira.
BAREFOOT
 It is almost 2 years since the Tsunami devastated the coastline of Sri Lanka—but to “Sam”, the local beach guard at the village of Induruwa, on the west coast of Sri Lanka, the impact of the disaster is as fresh as if it had been yesterday. The train, which was swept off the railway line (which passes along the coast) is now placed at the side of the (now repaired) railway track as a constant reminder, and a steel span of the bridge at Bentota still lies in the estuary. And for “Sam” the disaster meant the loss of his meagre income —no boats, no tourists - nothing to guard!
I first went to Induruwa some 3 months after the Tsunami, and was appalled at the devastation which was everywhere - I learned that the salt water had contaminated many wells, even those inland, and the salt from the Tsunami ”tidal wave” had destroyed crops and also contaminated the soil by salt, making it useless for crops for many a long period ahead.
 I was with a friend who had actually been there on that fateful day. She and I had the mission to try to help re-house “Sam” and his almost blind, widowed mother with whom he lived. Their little hut had lost its roof and my friend had already raised a little money to help build a new home for them. This visit was to get the project moving. “Sam's” new home is now complete - a simple affair to our eyes, with no water supply (this has to be brought from the village well) but it does have an electric light, and “Sam” and his mother can sleep in comfort with 4 walls around them and a roof over their heads - they are the envy of most of the other villagers.
It was during this, my first visit, that I came into contact with BAREFOOT, an organisation which provides work for the women of many of the villages. They hand-dye and weave brightly and vibrantly coloured cloth and make various items - bags, toys, table linen, pillow-covers etc - from this material. They are paid on a regular basis for their work and for the items they produce. These products are then distributed for sale in the BAREFOOT outlets. So by buying these products we are able to help their fragile economy.
 I felt it was essential to try to help in some way, and then the idea of selling BAREFOOT products came to mind. There and then I decided I was going to promote and sell these products back home on the Costa Blanca.
We are now the Costa Blanca outlet for BAREFOOT and have sold a great many items already and receive new deliveries regularly. By buying these beautiful handmade items, you can also contribute to the on-going re-establishment of a local economy destroyed by mother nature.
I have re-visited the area several times since. After my further visits I have seen some improvements, the most welcome sight being the return of some of the fishing boats on the blue sea and the replacement of some of the tented villages by small wooden huts.
 I know that nations raised huge amounts of aid cash for Sri Lanka (and other Asian nations) but somehow having a direct involvement in helping the native workers to “help themselves” in restoring the economy of the villages seems very special to me. I look forward to my next visit to the delightful island of Sri Lanka when I do trust that I will see a few more improvements to their fragile economy.
Barbara Johnson
BAREFOOT at HOME FROM HOME
Centro Commercial Moravit
Ctra. Moraira-Calpe
03724 Moraira Alicante
965 748 591
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