News

The first quarter of 2026 is already behind us. It was a period dominated by the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, which struck on 25 November 2025. We previously reported on the consequences of the cyclone in our news update from December 2025. In this update, you can read about the current situation in the project area, which new projects have been launched, and what actions have been taken.

Therefore in this news update you read about:

• Arrival of the container with relief supplies
• Farewell and a new beginning for Anna’s Home
• How the population in the project area is recovering after Cyclone Ditwah
• Wilde Ganzen’s ‘De Wilde Week’ campaign
• Violin campaign by Soroptimist Club SallAnders
• Launch of the new water and sanitation project
• The ongoing challenge of fundraising
• Urgent appeal for renovation and housing construction
• Call for volunteers in Friesland (Leeuwarden/Harlingen region)

At the end of October, we sent a container full of goods to Sri Lanka

Fortunately, everything in the container arrived safely. Fr. Ramesh was able to collect the goods and distribute them to the affected families who had lost everything. Many thanks to everyone who helped with this and made a donation.

• Clothing from Stout
• T-shirts from SW4D
• Plates, cutlery, towels, sheets and other textiles
• Computers from Sector ICT Solutions

This brought not only aid, but also relief and a sense that they have not been forgotten. All of this could not have come at a better time. Together, you have given these people back a little of their strength and dignity.

A farewell and a new beginning for Anna’s Home

Years ago, Havonos decided to support the shelter run by Sister Chrishani, which provided a safe haven for young girls facing unwanted pregnancies. The home – now known as Anna’s Home – has since taken on a new purpose: it provides shelter for girls aged 4 to 18 who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or domestic violence. They are lovingly cared for and educated there.

In 2019, Havonos decided to phase out its financial support. Mirjam van den Berg, a board member at the time, has since dedicated herself heart and soul to Anna’s Home. Havonos recently made the final transfer, and the project has now been fully handed over to Mirjam. We wish Mirjam and Anna’s Home all the best. Although Mirjam is no longer a board member, she remains closely involved in our work – something for which we are very grateful.

How things are going in the project area following Cyclone Ditwah?

The resilience of the people in the project area never ceases to amaze us. Many lost their homes, their possessions or, in other cases, the thatched roof that protected their mud-brick houses. People are still missing. Yet the community is managing to get on with daily life again. The women working together under the umbrella of FAITH play a particularly important role in this. They support, encourage and help one another.

Despite the poor roads and fuel shortages, Father Ramesh visits as many villages as possible on his motorbike. During these visits, he speaks with the residents about their most urgent needs now that the rubble clearance has begun. Three major project priorities emerged from these conversations:

1. Support for education;
2. A major water and sanitation project;
3. Renovation and housing construction – simple brick houses with a door and a watertight roof for families without shelter.

1st project Support for education + Wilde Week of Wilde Ganzenk

Many parents emphasised it is important for their children to be able to return to school as soon as possible. Education is free in Sri Lanka, but parents must provide school uniforms, books and stationery themselves – items that were lost on a massive scale as a result of the cyclone. In consultation with Father Ramesh, we submitted a project application to Wilde Ganzen, which has now been approved. This means we can count on financial support. In addition, our project was selected for Wilde Week in April, during which Wilde Ganzen will double the amount raised.

Violin Campaign by Soroptimist Club SallAnders

The Soroptimist Club SallAnders Raalte-Nijverdal has embraced and supported this education project through the 2026 violin campaign. We are delighted to report that this campaign raised €2,225. Thanks to the match from Wilde Ganzen, this amounts to €4,500 for the education project. Ladies of the Soroptimist Club SallAnders and all supporters: on behalf of the children and their parents in Sri Lanka, thank you very much!

2^e Clean water, sanitation and hygiene education + Wilde Ganzen
The flooding caused by Cyclone Ditwah has severely contaminated many wells. As there is no sewerage system, sewage flowed directly into the wells. This water is used for cooking, washing and personal hygiene. As a result, many people fell seriously ill, and some died.

It is therefore of the utmost importance that:

• water wells are cleaned and repaired;
• new and safe sanitation facilities are installed;
• hygiene education is provided.
  This project has also been approved by Wilde Ganzen, which has once again pledged to double the donation.

3^e project: Renovation and House Building

Building simple brick cottages with doors and waterproof roofs for families without shelter. The first two projects are supported by Wilde Ganzen.
We are still urgently seeking support for the renovation and construction of these houses. Who will help us??

Vrijwilliger gezocht in Friesland (Leeuwarden/Harlingen)

An important source of income for Havonos is the bottle deposit scheme run in supermarkets. Customers can donate their bottle deposits to a charity, and Havonos works in partnership with supermarkets throughout the country to facilitate this. Unfortunately, our volunteer for the Leeuwarden/Harlingen-region is no longer able to carry out this task. We are therefore looking for a reliable volunteer who is willing to take on the management of these campaigns – usually once a year.
Do you know anyone in Friesland who might be interested in doing this? If so, please contact our chairperson, Sieni Schouten. Thank you in advance for your help.

In conclusion

This was our first news update of 2026. Your involvement is greatly appreciated – by us and by the people in the project area. We start every board meeting with a video call with Father Ramesh.
He invariably ends by expressing his deep gratitude for the support from the Netherlands.

Thank you for your support and interest. See you next time!!

Time flies. We are already approaching the end of the year and we still owe you a news item. This time of the year invites to read the news item by the fire side. We hope you enjoy it. Topics:

• The current emergency situation in Sri Lanka
• In memoriam: Father Avalin;
• The call to contribute ideas for fundraising activities, because we have many wonderful projects underway that require financial support;
• The visit of Mirjam and André van den Berg to Sri Lanka and Anna's Home
• The well-filled container that is on its way to Sri Lanka by sea, with our project area as its final destination;
• The status of the many – old and new – projects: highlighted: the “FAITH” projects and the project focused on the welfare of deaf and physically disabled people in our project area;
• Our Christmas greetings.

The current (emergency) situation in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is currently experiencing its worst ever emergency situation as a result of a natural disaster, Cyclone Ditwah. The cyclone, accompanied by storms and torrential rain, has caused flooding, landslides and mudslides. Houses and even villages have been completely swept away by the mud. Hundreds of people have died and the number of missing persons is still uncertain, as not all areas are accessible. The entire country is in shock.
With the rainy season approaching, we fear the worst for the residents in our project area. Father Ramesh drives around the area every day, distributing food, drinking water and clothing to people who have lost everything. The current situation is considered to be more serious than after the 2004 tsunami, the disaster that led to the establishment of Havonos. It is more serious, because at that time it was mainly the coastal areas that were affected, whereas now the entire country has been hit and the infrastructure is severely destroyed.

During his daily visits to the affected areas in the north, Father Ramesh takes the time to update Chairman Sieni on the situation. Sometimes the connection is suddenly lost due to power outages or internet failures. Because of all this, the Havonos board recently decided, in consultation with Wilde Ganzen, to put the projects on hold and focus all attention on providing emergency aid. Fortunately, we are receiving help from newspapers (Stentor and Weekblad van Salland), churches, supermarkets, and many who spontaneously support us financially after reading our messages on social media. We are extremely grateful, as are the people on the ground. Ramesh said: ‘The people in my country are given hope that things will get better when they realise that there are people in a country thousands of kilometres away who care about them and are committed to helping them.’ Click here for more photos

A lot of money is still needed, which is why we are extremely happy and grateful that the Soroptimist club SallAnders Raalte-Nijverdal has decided to take action to provide emergency aid. Earlier this year, the club supported the Havonos project Anna's Home by selling violins; now they are taking action so that we can provide emergency aid. How wonderful is that?

In memoriam: Father Avalin

With great sadness and gratitude for what he meant to his people, we announce the passing of Father Avalin. A young priest, full of energy and passion, including the teaching and working farm in Iyakachchi, which he oversaw for several years. Fr. Avalin, Fr. Ramesh, and other priests were on a week-long retreat. On his way home, Avalin died in a motorcycle accident. The evening before his passing, chairperson Sieni saw and spoke with Fr. Avalin via video call with Fr. Ramesh. He told her he would call her back in a few days to discuss a request. He wanted the building, for which he is responsible, to be equipped with chairs and tables so that people and children could sit comfortably. This didn't happen; within 24 hours, he was gone. Our thoughts are with his family and fellow priests. The Havonos board has unanimously decided to honor the memory of our esteemed and beloved Father Avalin by fulfilling his wish. Unfortunately, we have to postpone this for a while, as our attention is now focused on providing emergency aid, but it will be alright.

Fundraising campaigns for both emergency aid and the Havonos projects: who would like to contribute ideas and help?

Of course, we would appreciate your donations (NL89 RABO 0120 6189 23) in the name of the Havonos Foundation. For emergency aid? Please mention this in the description). However, we are also looking for people or clubs such as the Soroptimist Club who can come up with and organise fundraising activities for us. Do you have a good idea? Please contact chairperson Sieni Schouten (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 06 37644715) or board member Els Holland (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). They can support your campaign with materials such as a PowerPoint presentation. Let your creative spirit flow; we are ready to hear your ideas and help you where possible!

Mirjam and André van den Berg visiting Anna's Home

Anna's Home has been a Havonos project for a long time. For years, we have been supporting the Sisters of Good Shepherd in their work, caring for girls who have been abused and later abandoned by their families. Our donations are intended for the care of the girls, i.e. food, drink, clothing and education.

When she left the Havonos board, Mirjam van den Berg indicated that she wanted to be the contact person for the Anna's Home project. During her visits to Sri Lanka, she had taken the girls and the people who cared for them into her heart. She raised money through activities at the school where Mirjam worked until her retirement. She also organised sponsored walks and represented Havonos at the flower (violets) campaign organised by the Soroptimist Club SallAnders Raalte-Nijverdal. In recent years, she has also visited Anna's Home regularly during her holidays.

This year, Mirjam retired and decided to take the opportunity to take her husband André to Sri Lanka, so that he could see the project Mirjam is committed to with his own eyes. Mirjam wrote a report of their visit.

The well-filled container en route to Sri Lanka by sea

The ship carrying the container has now arrived in Colombo. Given the current situation in the country and the urgent need for emergency aid, we would almost overlook the joy it brings us that so many people have made it possible to fill the container with all kinds of goods intended for the projects. Many people here in the Netherlands have contributed to this by donating goods or helping to pack them so that they could be taken along. We are very grateful for their support and commitment.

Every cloud has a silver lining: the container had not yet arrived during Cyclone Ditwah. So the wheelchairs, walkers, computers, clothing, household goods, and much more, too much to mention, were spared the effects of the cyclone. In our next newsletter, we hope to be able to show you photos of the reception and distribution of some of the goods.

The current status of the many projects, both old and new

At the time of writing, it is not yet entirely clear what the consequences of Cyclone Ditwah will be for the projects. We do know animals drowned during the floods at the educational/working farm. The FAITH women are also struggling, as they grow their own vegetables and herbs. During the Havonos board meetings, Father Ramesh is always present at the beginning of the meeting to update us on the projects. One thing is certain: the people involved in the projects are 100% committed and there are or were great results to report.

We would like to highlight two projects: the FAITH women and the project set up with the money raised during the sponsor dinner on 23 March.

As mentioned, the FAITH women are currently struggling as a result of the natural disaster. Fortunately, the wells that were dug for them have been spared, which is a huge relief. Hundreds of women in the region are now organised into groups under the FAITH banner.

A group consists of a maximum of 20 women. They initially work together to learn from each other. Then, the group splits into two groups of 10 women. They agree on their focus. This could be sewing, wickerwork with Palmyra leaves, growing vegetables, or spices like chili peppers. The 10 women have room to expand, so new women join until a new group of 20 is formed. In this way the FAITH project grows in a short time and they are successful under the guidance of Father Ramesh.

The 20th anniversary project

The other project we're highlighting here is the one made possible with support from Wilde Ganzen and the proceeds from the sponsored dinner celebrating the 20th anniversary.

With this money, nearly 30 deaf and/or physically disabled people have completed a wonderful program. The program focused on strengthening their self-confidence and inner strength through training and coaching, and on learning a trade, such as sewing, masonry, ARI work, weaving with Palmyra leaves, brick making, carpentry, and so on.

The project has now been successfully completed, and they have jobs. How wonderful is that?

Our Christmas Greetings

In 2025, we were able to accomplish a great deal. Currently, all our attention is focused on providing emergency aid, but rest assured: as soon as the water has receded and the north of the country is ready again, we will resume our projects. What we have been able to do thus far would not have been possible without your help and support. We are immensely grateful for that.

For ourselves, we hope that we can also count on your attention and support in the new year.

In 2026, too, "our people" in Sri Lanka desperately need that attention and support, because it gives them hope. Hope that is necessary not to give up, but to tackle the consequences of the natural disasters and clean up their future. This way, they can rebuild their future.

That concludes this news item. We hope and wish that, despite the sometimes painful and sad topics, you have enjoyed reading it. We also appreciate your feedback in that regard. See you in 2026!

Kind regards,
The Havonos Board

We conclude with Father Ramesh's Christmas message.

This is the Havonos second news release of 2025. The first half of the year has already passed. We hope you are enjoying a wonderful summer, relaxing and taking in what we have to share with you. In this news item, you will read about:

• Chairman Sieni and board member Alinda visiting Havonos projects during their holiday in May 2025;
• The latest project made possible by the sponsor dinner celebrating the Havonos 20th anniversary;
• De opening van het nieuwe waslokaal
• New project wishes Sieni and Alinda brought back from their visit to Sri Lanka
• A new report by Sister Sumithra on Anna's Home;
• Call to action: Good ideas regarding Havonos!

Once again, we hope you enjoy reading!

Read more: July 2025

In the December 2024 News Release, we announced our intention to issue a quarterly news release, starting 2025. The end of the first quarter has recently passed, so it is time to follow up on this intention. In this first News Release of 2025 you will read about:

• The grand party we were able to celebrate on 23rd March in connection with the 20th anniversary of Havonos;
• Father Ramesh's visit to Raalte (and the Netherlands);
• A report by Sister Sumithra who is in charge of Anna's Home;
• And this time, a short report on the projects.

We hope you enjoy reading!

Read more: April 2025

For now, we already have an important date for you: mark in your diary that you will participate in the festive (sponsor) dinner that we are organising on 23 March 2025 with the cooperation of Zwakenberg meeting centre. We would like to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Havonos Foundation with you then. You will find more information below. Furthermore, in this newsletter you will read about:

• The state of emergency in our project area caused by severe natural disasters, resulting in floods, mudslides and landslides
• More information about the visit of chairman Sieni Schouten and board member Alinda Schiller to Sri Lanka
• Different ways to donate
• 20th anniversary of Havonos foundation
• PhD for Father Ramesh; + Semester Report 2024
• More information on our new project: a small scholarship for great achievements
• The nearly completed Esther Rehabilitation Centre project in Batticaloa
• Beautiful donation and graduation ceremony ARI Work

Are you reading with us again?

Read more: December 2024