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We already are living halfway 2019 and there is plenty to report. Most striking last half year were the cruel bomb blasts on Easter Sunday. It happened just at the moment Sieni was visiting the country. Fortunately, our Sri Lankan friends were not affected, however this event has a serious impact on the whole country. We already are living halfway 2019 and there is plenty to report. Most striking last half year were the cruel bomb blasts on Easter Sunday. It happened just at the moment Sieni was visiting the country. Fortunately, our Sri Lankan friends were not affected, however this event has a serious impact on the whole country.
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Visit of chairman Sieni to the projects in Sri Lanka
In April Sieni, together with a collaborator of Havonos, visited the several projects in progress. It became a journey, not to be forgotten quickly. There were highlights as laying the cornerstone of the new Preschool in Mulankavil and the visit to recently completed buildings, but also lows as the passing away of Father Jeeva and the bomb blasts in Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa.
Sieni had discussions with all the OMI-fathers in the North, who are responsible for the projects, as Fr Avalin (Learn-work farm), Fr Philip (Youth Education Centre), Fr Rene (Centre Kokilai), Fr Harance (Sieco Centre Mullikulam) and last but not least the Directors of OMI in Jaffna, Fr Edwin (Superior), Fr Seeger (Coordinator) and Fr Victor (Bursar). She noticed the progress of projects and all the efforts they put into, together with local people. This was the sunny side of her journey.
Sieni was residing in Negombo, just at the moment one of the bomb attacks happened close to her hotel. Because of security measures she had to stay inside for some days. It was a scary and exciting time.
It was the intention Sieni would visit Sri Lanka for the last time. Her health allows hardly such a journey. However, a saying goodbye from her beloved country in this way is not acceptable for her. She is determined to return once again for a real and dignified farewell.
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The death of Father Jeeva In April, just on the day a festive ceremony would be organised at the Learn-work farm, Father Jeeva passed away suddenly. A few days before Sieni had a pleasant meeting with him. The relation between Havonos and this Father always was warm, constructive and full of humour. During his visits at The Netherlands, Jeeva was interested in everything Havonos was doing. We will miss his cheerfulness enormously. And not only in The Netherlands, also his family and colleague Fathers are still full of sadness. |
Start of ‘Friends of Anna’s Home’
Our Board member Mirjam van den Berg recites a place in her heart for Anna’s Home, a boarding home for girls with a problematic home situation. Because of her concern to the work of Sr Chrishani, who is conducting the home with care, she organises sponsoring at her school De Horizon in Raalte. For instance, in 2019 the yield of the fasten campaign of De Horizon went to Anna’s Home for the third time. This campaign proceeded more than €2.000,-, which is a great result!
Havonos still contributes every year a certain amount to the home for covering daily cost. The Sri Lankan government only provides a very small compensation, in fact not even enough for one meal a day. So, the sponsoring of Havonos is a great help, however for this burden we are seeking to a structural resource of income. That’s why Mirjam set up ‘Friends of Anna’s Home’, under the umbrella of Havonos. Everyone who warmly supports the home and contributes a fixed amount per month (from €5,-), can become friend. These gifts are tax-deductible. Of course, the friends will be well informed directly about the ups and downs of Anna’s Home.
During her visit Sieni opened a new shed for three cows. Sr Chrishani had bought the cows for their milk, which is used for the inmates and for selling. On that very day a calf was born, which got the name ‘Sieco’ after Cor and Sieni.
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Learn-work farm Iyakachchi: new needs
This two year ago established farm works great. OMI and Havonos are very proud on. Unfortunately, due to extreme dry periods two harvests failed on a row. Irrigation with electric pumps would be a solution, but often the public electricity supply is disturbed. That’s why Fr Avalin is thinking at an own solar system. Sun enough and such a system could earn itself back within a limited number of years. Havonos and SEHH examine the economic opportunities of purchasing solar.
Another wish of Fr Avalin is constructing a hall for gatherings of larger groups of people. The popularity of the farm also has a downside: there is a need for permanent security and surveillance to stop thieves. Also, wild animals cause damage to crops and constructions. During her visit Sieni opened a small shelter for the night watchman. She also attended a ceremony of opening a new built computer classroom, sponsored by Dutch charity Rockids.
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Two Sri Lankan teachers in training in The Netherlands, thanks to Rockids In our latest News we already mentioned a meeting of Marjolein Meijer of charity Rockids with OMI in Jaffna. As result of this visit in April two ICT-specialists came to The Netherlands for a so called ‘Train the ICT Trainer program’. During three months stay they are educated on methods of training in their own country. Rockids made this course organizationally and financially possible. We hear enthusiastic stories about their progress. After their return to Sri Lanka Miss Cani will teach computer lessons at OMI Youth Education Centre and Learn-work farm. Mr Nerojan will share his knowledge at projects of Caritas in Mannar. We hope they will spread their knowledge like an oil slick, causing a lot of their countrymen will benefit. |
Donations ‘Oude Kassa’ and ‘TransFair’
We are very happy with a donation of Oude Kassa, a thrift store in Veenendaal. Every month they donate their yield to a charity and recently it was the turn of Havonos. We got €1.500,-, which we spent to the construction of the above mentioned guard shelter in Iyakachchi.
We also received a donation of TransFair from Leerdam, by which we could buy computers for education by OMI.
Havonos in Sri Lankan newspaper
The visit and the significance of Sieni were also noticed by a Sri Lankan journalist. He published an article about all projects Havonos supports last years. In The Netherlands newspaper De Stentor paid attention to the long lasting cooperation between Havonos and Wild Geese, SEHH (A Helping Hand Foundation) and Rockids. On the banner of the opened computer classroom the logos of the four organisations stand brotherly together. See link to article.
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Finally This is the news for this time. A lot is happening. We hope Sri Lanka will recover soon after the cruelties of Easter Sunday and that normal live will resume. Thank you for your interest and we wish you a beautiful summer. See you next time! |
