MAY 2017 InformationUpdate · 2020. 5. 19. · buffer against climate change. The principles of analog forestry can be . Foresting the Analog way. Mitigating against climate change-

InformationUpdate

MAY 2017

Our committment to our Environment

Analog forestry was developed by a group of scientists and researchers led by Dr. Ranil Senanayake in 1980 at the Belipola Arboretum, Bandarawela.

Analog forestry was conceptualized at this time to meet the challenges brought about by conventional thinking to forestry.

The main principle of Analog forestry is to work on bringing the natural vs. anthropogenic needs back to harmony. This objective was reached through design approaches to reforestation which have been influenced by natural systems.

Analog forestry is a specific approach to agro-forestry developed in Sri Lanka. It restores the productivity of degraded land and provides new sources of food and income to local people.

An analog forest is designed in such a way that it imitates the original native forest in an area and has similar (analogous) structures and ecological functions.

Trees and crops are planted in different layers, providing food and marketable products such as spices (pepper, cinnamon), fruit (mango,

citrus) and tea and coffee, which grow particularly well in the shade of the trees.

The analog forest also provides firewood, fodder, construction materials and medicines for daily use. Analog forestry minimizes the use of external inputs such as agro chemicals.

The method enhances biodiversity, soil fertility as well as water retention and quality. Analog forests serve as a buffer against climate change.

The principles of analog forestry can be

Foresting the Analog way

Mitigating against climate change- Using Air Conditioning Sensibly, Switching Off Appliances and Equipment When Not in Use, Driving Greener Cars, Buying Energy-efficient Appliances, subscribing to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

The Centre for Humanitarian Affairs and the Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies is pleased to present activities undertaken in the month of May

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applied in many different ecosystems and climates as long as they are adapted to the local situation.

Analog forestry is a method which has immediate results and can be applied everywhere Analog forestry can be applied in many different ecosystems and climates. There are successful analog forests in Sri Lanka, Burkina Faso, Costa Rica and 18 other countries around the world.

In Sri Lanka analog forests provide local food crops as well as commercial crops such as tea, coffee, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, pepper, cashew nuts, mango, papaya, etc. Within these forest gardens a small plot is set aside for household consumption.

Principles of analog forestry

* Observe and record: knowledge of the terrain one is working with is highly important in restoration.

* Understand and evaluate: in order to understand an ecosystem, one needs to make use of local knowledge, field surveying, and ecological evaluation.

* Know the land: knowing the lay of the land extends to watercourses, slopes and microclimates.

* Identify levels of yield: restoring an ecosystem can increase biodiversity, ecosystem services and economic production, but one must be aware of the capacity of the land.

* Map flows and reservoirs: water, light, air and nutrients flow through, and are stored in, ecosystems Knowing the enrgy flows in an ecosystem can help in planning future actions.

* Reduce external inputs: an ecosystem with a high level of biodiversity has the advantage of providing a large portion of the necessary inputs that are necessary for the functioning of the farm.

* Be guided by the needs of the landscape: each area forms part of a landscape, whose characteristics must be taken into account in the design process.

* Follow ecological succession: like a person, a forest matures in phases. Some plants grow early on, before being replaced by others and yet

others, as the ecosystem progresses to a stable state.

* Use ecological processes: the idea is to imitate nature, not to struggle against it. It is important to look at the ecosystem in a different way and understand the uses of its diverse elements.

* Value biodiversity: a variety of plants and animals is the source of vitality for the ecosystem, as they contribute nutrients, drive ecological processes, and are indicators of environmental resilience.

* Respect maturity: the mature forest provides many environmental services and increases its productivity.

* Respond creatively: prepare for the unexpected, and always be aware that there are alternative ways to reach your goals.

CHA hopes to work with Dr.Ranil Senanayake on a range of initiatives soon.

Taking note of water assets in the district AND understanding threats.

1. Promoting ground water recharge in every household by allowing water to drain back into the soil.

2. Promotion of composting in every household.

3. Identifying areas to green/replant/reforest.

Subject to the views of specialized technical personnel we would initiate at the outset a few sample interventions in selected areas .

Our work with the Government Agent Hambantota

Under the regional initiative on strengthening preparedness of Government and Local Humanitarian actors for Emergency Response in Sri Lanka by the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center’s (ADPC) a Baseline Assessment will take place as the first step. The Data Collection will

be done adopting various methods. Training for enumerators will be conducted by ADPC in-collaboration with Disaster Management Center (DMC) and Center for Humanitarian Affairs (CHA) at CHA on 31st May 2017.

CHA attended the Emergency Response Meeting conducted by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) on 23rd May, extended support in sharing information, translation of material during the emergency situation and dispatched clothing through partners.

Strengthening Government and Local Humanitarian Organizations capacity on Preparedness for Emergency Response

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Youth Action is for young people and youth services in SL .We work towards a society where all young people are valued, engaged and supported to:

• Connect with a community of youth workers and young people

• Receive support to deliver best practice youth work

• Engage in strategic advocacy

• Share voice on issues relating to young people and the youth sector

Youth Action Network of the CHA

CHA with Isha Wedasinghe Miranda Governing Board Secretary Asia Pacific Evaluation Association (APEA); Member of the Global EvalGender+ Management group; Working committee Member of EvalPartners networks Eval SDGs,

Global Parliamentarian forum for evaluation and Parliamentary forum for development of evaluation (PFDE) will conduct a Discussion Forum on Gender+ and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Sri Lanka Prospective with civil societies,

activists and experts on “Gender+ and SDGs” considering the SDG 5 and 10 (Achieve Gender equality) as primary goals towards SDGs Agenda 2030 on 5th June 2017 at CHA.

Discussion Forum on Gender+ and SDGs

Since 1841 we have used an archaic

Legislation to hound those driven onto

the streets, some of whom are forced

to sell their bodies to earn a living.

The Institute of Human Rights (IHR)

with CHA has from 2003 stood against

these practices. After a protracted

struggle we are closer to drafting a new

legislation which censures disorderly

public behaviour but channels offenders

through a new institution which gives

options to the unfortunate away from

the current practices of incarceration.

Penalising the poor, homeless and destitute

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CHA Hambantota district office established a Badulla district CHA youth volunteer network in Badulla district in collaboration with Badulla

district National Youth Services Council (NYSC). There were 50 youth leaders at this program representing Sinhala, Tamil & Muslim youth.

Provincial Director of Uva province & Assistant Director of NYSC attended as Chief Guests.

CHA Youth Volunteer network

District Office Hambantota CHA Hambantota district officer had meetings with Government officers in Hambantota district on activities related to Health & Sanitation, Education & Vocational training, Environment & Youth development. Officials met were Hambantota GA, NGO coordinator, Assistant Director of National Youth Services Council, Director of planning & District media officer.

Hambantota district National Youth Service Council (NYSC) office organized a ceremony celebrating National

Youth day at the Hambantota district National Youth Services council office. On the invitation of Youth Council the District Officer spoke as the chief guest. 250 youth were in attendance with the Deputy Director – Admin of NYSC, SSP of Police Station in Tangalle, Assistant Director of NYSC, Assistant Director of Central Environment Authority, Media & Journalists.

National Youth Day celebratiions in Hambantota district

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Information Update

Girls are at times faced with – inadequate water for washing, lack of soap, no privacy and non-functioning

or insufficient toilets. This reduces school a t t e n d a n c e . Adolescent girls are often absent from school due, in part, to inadequate water and sanitation facilities. One out of two 13 year old

girls will probably

be menstruating.

Girls remain at home during menstruation because of beliefs, not feeling well and because facilities are insufficient. At all times, adolescent girls need facilities that provide privacy and security to avoid risk of harassment.

We have advocated with the Ministry of Education for designs and services that should ensure that all school girls have (1) separate latrines from boys, (2) water for washing, and (3) free or subsidized sanitary napkins.

Girl friendly toilets

A unique shop for the people in need. Here they can shop goods, dresses etc for the prices they wish to buy. The prices would vary from Rs 50 – 200/= only. Depending on the item they purchase. If not possible to pay they can give what is possible by them.

What We Can AcceptWe love: clean clothing, shoes and accessories, towels and linen, crockery, cutlery and glassware, collectables and antiques, Cartoons and educational dvd’s and mobile phones.

If you are a clothing manufacturer or retailer with end of line stock we will gladly take your donations!

What We Can't AcceptUnfortunately we cannot accept any electrical goods, furniture, books, toys, CDs or any items that are broken or require repair due to health and safety regulations.

The Store is located at CHA. Like us on https://www.facebook.com/thestorecha/

The Store

• Supporting Elders Societies- Discussions held with the officer at District Secretariat of the Jaffna Division for the formation of Elders

Society with elders, who are living in the GS Division J/72, at CHA , Jaffna office.

• Promotion of volunterism- we are in contacts with Rotary Club, Jaffna Peninsula to enlist them in r volunteerism.

District Office Jaffna

The District Women Development Federation Committee met at CHA, Jaffna office. The President Ms.Ramalingam Ragini and the Secretary, Ms.Sasileka with the members of the committee, were present at the meeting. The DWDF meeting will be conducted every 3rd Friday of the month at CHA, Office.

District Women Development Federation Committee

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• using the Government's existing structures in the implementation of the CBRP include human resource development, strengthening of social infrastructure and services; - decentralization of planning and decision-making, with greater

participation of people at grassr oots level in development decisions; development of institutional capacity in the service delivery system;

• raise awareness and mobilize resources at village level, thereby

enabling parents to be more effective in helping their disabled children to attend school, learn skills and participate productively in family and community life; establish links between service providers in health, education, community development and social welfare at district level, thereby meeting the needs of disabled individuals more efficiently and effectively;

• strengthen associations of people with disabilities to enable them to play a role in the mobilization of the community, implementation of village level activities, and the management of the CBR Programme;

• we suggested the M/SS and TVEC/NAITA design national competency standards for skills certification for persons with special needs to obtain to pursue livelihood options AND people with special needs should be able to study and acquire certification at their own time and pace.

The suggestions have been accepted in principle subject to drawing an implementation plan with the Department of Social Services.

We are in the process of

consulting with appropriate

authorities and technically

qualified persons to implement

the programme.

Project on desilting, greening and groundwater recharging – Kayts

Help for Special needs- Advocacy

Submission in February to the National Council on Community based rehabilitation for persons with

special needs had several facets including -

We are currently working to set up a web site for persons with special needs to register if they wish to seek opportunities to earn working

from home or any other place of convenience and to highlight their skills; Invite those seeking services to place advertisements and help

persons with special needs present their skills in 1-2 minute audio visual clips.

Income generation for people with special needs

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a) Career Mapping and evaluation – Conducting a self-evaluation

• Conducting an evaluation of the personal skills, talents and knowledge of each child.

• Identifying the career interest of the children.

• Documenting Individual assessment of each student would be helpful to communicate with other stakeholders.

b) Identification of Resources • Based on the assessment,

available and relevant resources need to be identified among Government and Private sector to improve skill and knowledge of the hearing impaired children.

• Identification of further training options.

• New programmes can be created in order to develop their skills further.

• Advertisements would help to identify the institutions and individuals who are interested in supporting the initiatives to empower the deaf children.

• Faith based organizations can be a part of the resource.

c) Conducting support skills training programmes.

• Develop English skills - A strong background in English lays the groundwork for the communication skills required in any professional specialty.

• Improving communications skills - Empowering deaf children and improving their communication skills. For eg: Talking with text Using cell phones.

• Learn from experience – Talk with people already working with deaf and hard of hearing people and creating opportunity to observe them on the job and

share experiences.

• Provide specialized training on graphic and web designing.

• Find them job opportunities related to data entry and documenting work.

• Create an environment to work as a team so they feel comfortable in communicating and sharing the work.

• Provide a presentation and access to applications on "Spoken Language and Sign language.

d) Collaborate with Secretariat for Disabled at Ministry of Social Services and Welfare

• Support available at the ministry can be channeled for further vocational trainings, and group/self-employment.

• Line officials such as Social Service Officers, Counselors and Samurthi Officer can be linked in their respective DS for follow up and communication.

e) Vocational Training possibilities

• Consultation with career guidance officer at TVEC / NAITA can be arranged to link with their formal career development path.

• Support can be obtained from Vocational training authority for certain training programmes.

• Special vocational institutes functioning for disabled can be approached for residential programmes.

• Supportive training to start business such as Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) and Marketing can be arranged for those who completed their trainings.

• On the job training can be arranged through NAITA.

f) Financial support for starting business

• Individual donors and associations in and out of the country can be approached for financial support of individual student to start up the business.

• Banks can be approached for financial support/special loans for business startup with the support of and NGOs or associations.

• Proper business models can be created by NGOs and can help at the early stage for establishment.

• Group social enterprise can be a good solution.

• Support can be obtained from Chamber of Commerce network in ensuring employment among private sector.

g) Motivation • Special sessions need to be

organized in appropriate way through visual documentaries and other relevant tools for motivation.

• Psychosocial issues of the students should be addressed by experts.

• Follow up should be arranged with the relevant officials after leaving school.

h) Database and follow up mechanism

• Effective data base of all school leavers’ information would be helpful for communication and follow up.

• A Career Guidance Coordinator, specially appointed for the school leavers needs to be in touch with each student providing information, linking with resources, providing guidance and counseling.

Career Development Options for Deaf Children after School

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Promotion of professional standards

No 1, Gower Street, Colombo 05.Tel: 0114061461 Ext: 634

Email: [email protected] Information Update is also available on the CHA website: http://www.humanitariansrilanka.org /

https://www.facebook.com/Centre-for-Humanitarian-Affairs-1538794962798057/For further information please contact Hashini on [email protected]

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MAY 2017 InformationUpdate · 2020. 5. 19. · buffer against climate change. The principles of analog forestry can be . Foresting the Analog way. Mitigating against climate change-