TSUNAMI RELIEF
To assist in the 2005 disaster in Southeast Asia, and, in line with supporting humanitarian efforts, the World Trust Foundation is extremely honored to have been part of a triad of groups that raised money to build 37 homes in Sri Lanka.

World Trust UMBRELLA PROGRAMS sponsored the Hollywood Artist Alliance (HAA), founded by Camille Cellucci, along with the Dharma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara headed by the renowned Reverend Wapola Piyananda, who is the head monk to the Los Angeles Temple and an International Religious Advisor to the Sri Lankan Government came together to raise money through grassroots efforts, proving that when people on a mission with a heart to help others can create miracles, building the 37 homes within one year of the disaster.

The Sri Lankan Government requested the rebuilding effort focus on the Galle district in the Southern Province of the country.

Tess, Camille, Reverend Piyananda, Dr. Patch Adams and 35 clown doctors and Airline Ambassador International Mission Leaders, traveled to Sri Lanka in March 2005, shortly after the tsunami.

This dedicated group came together with government officials, community leaders and people from the village in Galle, to have a ground-breaking ceremony for the homes to be built for misplaced families.

Pictures from the Ground Breaking Ceremony March 2000

Sir Arthur C. Clarke and Camille Cellucci	Reverend Wapola Piyananda	Girls from School on Shoe Shopping Spree
Camille with Mangala (the contractor) looking at materials for the new homes	Girls and School to perform	Girls in School on side of road - Even after facing such a devastation and disaster, the spirit of Sri Lankan people remained shining bright
Dr. Patch Adams with Clown Doctors during Ground Breaking Ceremony	Mother and son at temple	Entry Way to Coconut Grove where houses are built
A group gathered in front of the signage for the village. Named by the Sri Lankan government as the : "Los Angeles Dharma Vijaya Buddhist Village - Hollywood Artist Village"	Young Boy working on rebuild of his home	World Shelters donated two shelters to use as shelter as the homes were being built. Here are monks from the village, during the build of the homes

World Trust Founder, Tess Cacciatore and Camille Cellucci headed a group of dedicated individuals who live and work not only in Hollywood, but in various states and countries… as the name (HAA) comes from key concepts. Throughout the world Hollywood represents a place where magic happens and dreams come true.

“We do not think of Hollywood as a specific location, but a state of mind where passionate people join together to transform the seemingly impossible into tangible reality.” -Camille says.

The alliance is working in conjunction with Reverend Piyananda and the Dharma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara Temple in Los Angeles, CA. Reverend Piyananda is a Sri Lanka religious leader, who brings his passion and vision to the project, as well as his connections with the Sri Lankan government.

Other partners we would like to recognize:
• The Airline Ambassadors
• Cameo Publishing and Campus Activities Magazine
• Chefs for Humanity
• Coleman Productions Inc.
• Partnership for Change
• Wolfman Productions
Former President Kumaratunga, and current President Rjapakse, have endorsed HAA’s efforts

BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS March 2005 to February 2006

		The TOP ROW is what a row of houses looked like right after the tsunami. The picture on the right is a row of houses that were built from our alliance.
		The SECOND ROW is a mangled sign off the side of the road just after the tsunami. The power of the waves took this sign down and twisted it to an unrecognizeable state. The next was taken one year later, in the same location, to show the improvemnt of the country.

In 2006, after the 38 homes were successfully built, the mission group traveled back for a house blessing ceremony, to give the homes over to the appreciative and humbled families. The heart-warming reception was graced by several elected officials, including the First Lady of Sri Lanka.

Airline Ambassadors generously donated to the cause, helping to build one of the 38 homes, as well as funded the purchase of 3 bicycles, that were given to the families, for necessary mode of transportation in and out of the village.

For every donation totaling $1,000.00 or more, the name of the individual, company or school was placed on a plaque that is attached to the front of each home. This allows for the donors to see tangible results to where their dollars go, when donating to the World Trust Foundation.

Pictured above: A sample of a plague that adorns the front of the homes. Tess Cacciatore with the bikes, donated by Airline Ambassadors.

		For secured, online donation to help give SCHOLARSHIPS to youth in Sri Lanka, click here.
Enjoying the sunset in the village, the day of the house blessing ceremony, a man rides his new bike, with his son on the handle bars.	Monks from the village visit the new homes.
		PICTURED HERE: An afternoon tea at the Sri Lanka Parliment, with President Mahinda Rajapaksa. From Left: Mangala, Vijith, Bhante Piyananda, President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Camille Cellucci, Tess Cacciatore, Mom Cellucci
Tess Cacciatore giving a key to a woman, as she begins her new journey as a home owner	Camille giving a big embrace to one of the young girls in the Temple Orphange. It was her mission to teach the girls to hug	A quiet moment of reflection at the Los Angeles Dharma Vijaya Temple, on the One Anniversary of the tsunami
	Tess handing a toothbrush to a local village girl, during the house blessing ceremony.The families were given the keys to their homes, bicycles, and a care basket with necessities. Toothbrushes were donated by the Iowa Dental Supply Company

Reverend Piyananda and Dharma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara
Reverend Piyananda is the head monk for the Los Angeles Temple: Dharma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara.

He serves as President of the Sri Lankan Buddhist Council of the United States and Canada and founded the oldest Buddhist-Catholic-Jewish Dialogue in America. He served as the Buddhist Chaplain for the Olympics when it was in Los Angeles and is the one of the most respected and best authorities on Sri Lanka. He is a boyhood friend of The Dalai Lama, who wrote the forward to his last book.



Why Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka was one of the countries hit hardest by the Tsunami. On Feb. 2, 2005, the World Bank published a damage and needs assessment. The assessment notes that 1.5 billion in aide is needed to rebuild Sri Lanka.

The report estimates that 31,000 people have died and 6,300 people still remain missing. Four hundred and forty three thousand people have been displaced with the large majority being children and women.

(For more detailed information please visit www.priu.gov.lk, the Sri Lankan Government’s official website.)

This coupled with Camille Cellucci’s, HAA’s Founder, long-standing relationship with many Sri Lankans is why HAA chose Sri Lanka as its focus.



Progress
Every person who donates will receive a monthly email letter, keeping them informed on the progressof the village. Along the way, HAA will post updates and pictures of the work on our web-pages so you can see your dollars at work.



Checks and Balances
We have a solid structure of checks and balances to ensure that the monies raised created the homes for the people who need them most. Some elements of this structure include World Trust Foundation/HAA’s separate bank account here in the US working directly with Citicorp bank in Sri Lanka. (Citicorp is the only US bank in Sri Lanka.)

Monies were transferred to Sri Lanka in phases and only distributed out of the account on an as needed basis. All monies distributed require 2 signatures. We have long standing relationships with every person implementing each step from the depositing your contribution to hiring the people, purchasing the materials, and completing the family’s home.

Members of HAA traveedl to Sri Lanka at over the course of rebuilding the village, to insure the proper build structure and funding allowances.



Administration Fees
Ninety cents or more of each dollar raised will go directly to the people who need it most. We are primarily a volunteer effort, and we are doing everything possible to keep costs to an absolute minimum. However, we must spend a little money on administrative tasks to ensure the success of our goal. Consistent and transparent accounting is an example of where some administration costs will be spent.



Brief Information about Buddhism and Sri Lanka
For over 2000 years, the center of each Sri Lankan village and city has been the Buddhist Temple. Seventy five percent of the population is Buddhist in Sri Lanka, and in the villages this number rises to more like 85-95%. The temples serve as the communities’ center and are always where people go to for help, regardless of their faith. Right now the temples in the affected areas are filled with victims.

Most all of the major relief agencies use the temples as distribution points for water, food, medical assistance, and shelter.