A guerilla group of ethnic minority Tamil Hindus, who seek an independent state, are fighting against the Sri Lankan army, made up ostensibly of Sinhalese Buddhists, the majority ethnic group. Tens of thousands have been forced to flee their homes to avoid the cross-fire. Over 60,000 Tamils have sought refuge in southern India. Families of 5 live in 5'X7' mud-brick huts where the rain comes through giant holes in the corrugated metal roofing. They cook on wood fires inside their huts, fanning at the choking smoke to clear the air.
Huts are dark and very hot as the sun beats down on their metal roofs.
The refugees have built all their own shelters in the camp. They tend their new chicks, feeding them food scrap waste and using the manure as fertilizer on the camp's vegetable gardens. Every day, women push a wooden cart full of vegetables from their gardens to sell to others. Clothes are stitched and re-stitched for each new generation. Tamils place a high priority on their education.