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| PROJECTS > SMALL BUSINESS UNAWATUNA > ROGER'S STORY |
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Project: Roger's New Glass Bottom Boat
Project Coordinator: Majella Tarbatt
Project Aim: The aim of this project was to provide Roger with a new glass bottom boat and all the equipment necessary for him to re-establish himself as "Roger", 'Unawatuna's Glass Bottom Boat Man'. Through this project, Roger's business will add to the local economy and he will service the community's needs, through swimming lessons and boating lessons.
Project Start Date: 7th February 2005
Project End Date: 1st July 2005
Project Cost: €3,200
 Roger
"I first met Roger on my first visit to Sri Lanka, in March 2004. My son Luke, who was four at the time, developed a great friendship with Roger. "Roger had the best job in the world" according to Luke. Roger sitting perched on his boat every day, in one of the most beautiful bays in the world.
My family and I sat down for breakfast at around 8.30am on the 26th of December, at 'The Villa'; a beachfront family run Hotel. Shortly after ordering our food, Ruan, the waiter, came over to inform us that, unfortunately, the bread had not been delivered. He said that the staff had sent someone into Galle for some bread and that it would not be long arriving. As they had gone to the trouble of going to fetch the bread, (we were the only people having breakfast), we decided to wait for the it out of politeness - even if it meant that we might be slightly late for Roger.
At 9.24am we looked out to sea, saw Roger's boat and realised we were definately going to be late. Had Roger come to pick us up? At 9.26am the manager of the Villa arrived, breathless, with the bread. He came running into the garden of the Villa. I remember it well. He had a loaf in either arm, and with his arms outstretched, he stood facing the beach and us and shouted, "My God, what is happening to the sea!"
A split second later a little splash was up to our ankles and the furniture was moving, as the water continued to rise. Suddenly, the garden of the Villa was awash. The deckchairs were swishing dangerously around the place, furniture was crashing, people were screaming, glass was shattering and we were running.
As we passed the staircase to the upper floors, I, showing some presence of mind, shouted for us all to get up the stairs, and fast. My father Frank threw Matthew (my son) to my husband, Mark, and he hauled him up over the banister. I had my other son, Luke, by the hand and my parents, Frank and Esther, managed to keep their footing, in the fast moving and waist level water. We made it up to the first floor level, which within another two seconds was submerged. For the next 30 minutes we ran up and down these stairs, not wanting to go too high in case the building collapsed, or too low, in case the water reached us.
Some time later, the water receded, and my family and I got to safety, on higher ground. The next few days were very hard, with no clothes, or belongings, but I was so utterly grateful that my family and I had survived this natural disaster. When I finally returned to Ireland with my family, I was relieved; however, many questions played my mind.
What had happened to Roger? It was very important for me to establish whether he was safe and well. All I could think about was the people I had met. It was like a compulsion;
I had to return to Unawatuna to find out.
Four weeks after the Tsunami, I returned to Unawatuna. The place was unrecognisable. I was overjoyed to see Roger, yet saddened to hear his Tsunami story. It had been Roger on the boat the morning of the Tsunami. He was trying to warn us of the impending danger, but we could not hear him. He was shouting, "run" while we were waving at him, unaware of the impending danger.
Roger's story is one of pure bravery, as he battled with the sea to stay afloat. His two sons and his nephew were with him in his boat that morning. Utilising his seafaring skills and training, he managed to keep the boat afloat, and prevent the loss of his children's lives. He also rescued three people from the monstrous sea. Unfortunately, Roger had the unenviable, but necessary task, of picking up a dead body that was floating by his boat. Roger is true a hero.
What Cork Aid to Sri Lanka proposed to Roger
Following our discussions, I informed Roger, that Cork Aid to Sri Lanka would provide him with a loan. He would repay this loan through community services. I hoped this would help him to retain his dignity.
Roger is the sole provider for his family, which consists of his mother, his wife, his two sons and his daughter.
After our meeting, Roger was most defiantly a changed man. He had lost that sense of hopelessness and had regained a sense of purpose.
Roger will repay his loan through community service. He will carry out the following community projects:
- He will provide the locals with swimming lessons
- He will provide the locals with boating lessons
- He will help with the clean up of the coral and pass on any relevant information relating to the condition of the coral.
 Roger
At Blue Star, Roger picked his boat. It was the same size as his old one. He deliberated over the colours and names that should be put on the boat. I was filled with pride when he suggested putting the Irish flag on the boat. He said, through this gesture, he wished to acknowledge the kindness of the Irish donors.
Rogers boat will be delivered at the end of March and he is very busy at present preparing the wooden benches, the canopies, and the glass for the boat.
There may not be many tourists in Unawatuna and they may take some time to return, but Roger will keep himself busy, cleaning the beaches and the coral, and educating the locals.
I look forward to seeing Roger back out in the Unawatuna Bay and I thank all our donors for helping to make this happen."
July Update:
It is with great pride that we launched Roger's boat in the Bay of Unawatuna in July. Roger showed his solidarity to the Irish and had the Sri Lanka flag and Irish flag on his Boat. He wished to thank all the donors who made this happen.
A big thank you to all from Roger.
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