Lions offer help to tsunami fishermen

Eight Lions clubs in the area are involved in a project to raise funds for new boats to be built and used in Sri Lanka.

Already, a total of nine boats, complete with motor and nets, have been built.

They will remain in the ownership of the Sri Lankan Lions who allocate them to those fishermen most in need of help.

David Burstow of Bexhill Lions Club '“ who is also the Lions Zone Chairman '“ said: "Anxious that aid was not getting through quickly enough to those who most needed it, we contacted Lions in Sri Lanka who told us that, because the coastal belt was completely devastated, it was the fishermen who paid the heaviest penalty, losing not only their fishing boats but their homes and family members .

"Sri Lankan Lions have reported back to say each boat supports three families, enabling them to get back to work and live in dignity without relying on charity handouts. We are pleased to be able to help at such ground-roots level, as this is in addition to the 318 homes now being built in Sri Lanka for tsunami victims, funded by Lions Clubs International as part of the $12 million Lions rebuilding activity providing homes, schools and orphanages across the affected areas in Indonesia, Thailand, and India as well as Sri Lanka".