|
We are living in a remarkable time. This is true for us in Holland, but it is also true for the Fathers at OMI and the people who live and work in Northern Sri Lanka. Much has happened here and there in the last few months, both ups and downs. We are anxious to share this news with you. In the Newsletter you will read about the following:
We have many things to share, so let’s get started! |
 |
Finished projects at the Youth Empowerment Center (YEC) and the learning/working farm
The large water well and solar pump at the learning/working farm are now being used to irrigate the fields. The need is great. There is wide spread hunger because of COVID-19. There have also been harsh weather conditions, such as the cyclone Burevi that has passed over the island leaving destruction in its wake. In the midst of so much suffering, it is wonderful to see how the crops are now flourishing. The animals at the farm are reproducing and the widows are able to work in the fields. We, together with the foundation ‘Wilde Ganzen’ and supported by SEHH, are happy to see this project successfully brought to a close.
The project at the Youth Empowerment Center has also been successfully finished. Last year, three new open-air classrooms were taken into use. In the Netherlands, it is hard to imagine a classroom without walls, but the climate is such in Sri Lanka that this is usually no problem. Unfortunately, the birds in the area were just as anxious to use the new classrooms, which proved rather disruptive to the learning environment! We are glad to report that outside walls have now been added, so that the students can proceed, uninterrupted by wildlife, with their studies.Click here for more pictures.
The new projects we will be working on with the support of ‘Wilde Ganzen’
As old projects come to an end, possibilities open up to begin new projects. Here are some of the requests we have received from Sri Lanka.
- Vocational training for boys and girls (i.e. sewing, making handbags, technical training)
- Help in setting up a program for trauma victims in combination with a program to help young people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol
- Renovation of the Sieco Center, so that it can again be used for giving courses and training
Financially this is a large project! We are so glad that ‘Wilde Ganzen’ will be working with us to realize these goals. We are also very busy raising funds together with our partners in Sri Lanka, the Fathers at OMI and SEHH ‘Stichting Een Helpende Hand’ here in Holland. We will keep you posted on our progress!
Emergency Relief Aid
We receive messages every day about the difficult circumstances in Sri Lanka, the hunger and the helplessness. Sri Lanka is no longer in a total Lock-down, but the situation is so uncertain that many people have no work. No work, means no food for the people of Sri Lanka. The Emergency Relief Aid that we have provided has certainly given hope to the people we have been able to reach in Northern Sri Lanka. Once again, we would like to mention the amazing support we have received from the supermarkets that have embraced our cause. Because of you we have been able to help so many more people! Many, many thanks to all who have contributed!
Below the report of the emergency aid from Sri Lanka from OMI.
In the meanwhile, the Fathers at OMI are watching the situation carefully and helping locally wherever they can. Their courage and effort are remarkable! The need for emergency relief aid will remain for Sri Lanka as long as COVID-19 is prevalent.
Our preschool is almost finished!
During her last visit to Sri Lanka in the spring of 2019, Sieni, chairman of Havonos, had the privilege to place the first stone in the building of the preschool. The construction of the preschool was greatly delayed because of the bombing at Easter time in 2019 and the consequences of COVID-19. Materials could not be delivered on time and the work was laid still. We are finally glad to announce that the preschool will be opened next month! We hope to include some pictures of the festivities in the next newsletter.
Donation from the thrift store ‘De Oude Kassa’ in Veendaal
Thrift Store ‘De Oude Kassa’ in the town of Veenendaal, manager Maaike Drok, is a faithful and much valued sponsor! We are so thankful that each year we are placed on their list of charities. This year, with all the COVID -19 troubles, we did not expect a large donation. Great was our surprise and happiness when we discovered that ‘De Oude Kassa’ had contributed €1000 to our cause! Thank you very much! We will use this money towards the new projects that we will be starting with ‘Wilde Ganzen’.
Donation from the diaconate of the ‘Plaskerk’ in Raalte
We also want to mention yet another faithful sponsor, the diaconate of the ‘Plaskerk,’ a church in Raalte. Many thanks for your gift of €500! We promise to use this money to help our new projects get successfully underway.
A creative an innovative idea: vegetable gardens
Recently, we received some news about a creative project that some of the women had started in northern Sri Lanka. In this time of misery and hunger, some of the women decided to try to grow vegetables in plastic garbage bags. This worked very well! The Fathers at OMI heard about the vegetable gardens and are now helping by supplying seeds for vegetables and herbs! 
We have come to the end of the Newsletter. Thank you for taking the time to read about Sri Lanka. We also want to thank you for your continued support. The need is great in Sri Lanka and we hope you will keep on sponsoring this foundation. If you specify where you want your donation to be used, emergency relief aid or the start of the new projects, we will make sure that it will be used as you wish. Thank you and hopefully ‘til next time!