by Lisa Congdon



I've become really inspired recently by folks using art, craft and design to raise funds for important national and international causes. After posting about The The Uniform Project a couple of weeks ago, I thought I'd continue to write about interesting ways that people are using art, craft and design to raise money. My friend Diana Fayt introduced me to the Tsunami Birdhouse project a couple of weeks ago. It's a really fantastic fundraising effort run by P2P Rescue , a U.S.-based, not-for-profit organization working to raise awareness about and deliver support to Sri Lanka.





P2P Rescue works with local Sri Lankan craftspeople to build limited-edition “Tsunami Birdhouses” out of “tsunami wood” and other materials P2P Rescue salvaged following the Indian Ocean disaster of Dec. 26, 2004. "Collected around the country’s coast near villages still reeling from the tragedy, the wood will forever preserve and honor the memories of many lives lost," says Sean Kelly, P2P's founder.



According to P2P , each birdhouse is original, differing both in the kinds of tsunami wood used and in the individual skill and creative vision of the Sri Lankan artist. "No two houses are alike, but they all serve as a reminder of humankind’s important relationship with nature," says Kelly. Each birdhouse is signed by the maker.



Even years after the Tsunami, P2P Rescue continues to work to raise enough money after production and shipping costs contribute to the cost of rebuilding hundreds of human dwellings in the area of Sri Lanka devastated by the Tsunami. According to Kelly, the artists are paid a generous wage, and overhead is purposely kept low.



Want to get involved? You can donate or purchase a birdhouse here .

Stay tuned next week for an in-depth interview with artist Amy Ruppel !

lisacongdon.com