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Under Joseph's leadership, the Thal Project provides agricultural
services to Christian and Muslim villages. Three tractors are
available, and plowing and land-leveling services are offered.
The grain store program has grown, and additional storage facilities
have been built to enable farmers to grow more wheat. The project
provides farmers with improved varieties of seeds, fertilizer
at a fair price, and a limited assortment of building supplies.
In addition, the project improves local transportation by building
axles for carts.
The Church Aided Rural Development Management Committee, which
oversees the Thal Project, has established plans for the future.
The committee has charged Joseph to complete the lining of water
channels to stop the loss of water, to continue the latrine/sanitation
schemes, to establish a conservation/natural resources program,
and to continue researching new technologies and methodologies
for new crops.
Before coming to work for the Thal Project in 1979, Joseph studied
agricultural engineering in Berlin-Nordhausen, East Germany. He
later became the liaison officer at the Sri Lanka-West German
Farm Mechanization Training Center in Sri Lanka. Joseph was a
volunteer and field administrator for the Thal Project for nine
years before being appointed the director.
After attending the Good Shepherd Convent, Shanthi studied English
and writing at the LaSalle Institute in Sri Lanka. She spent four
years as a clerk and bookkeeper for Helenluc Industries in Colombo,
Sri Lanka, before coming to work for the Thal Project.
The Rajanesans have two children: Mary Anutza and Joshua.
Birthdays:
Joseph - October 18
Shanthi - January 20
Mary Anutza - September 19, 1984
Joshua - May 16, 1988
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