It's incredible, but our previous news release really dates back to December 2023, which is more than half a year ago. Now it may seem that we have no news to report, but nothing could be further from the truth. Due to various circumstances, we did not get around to updating you earlier this year on what we are (or have been) working on. With this news item, we hope to make up for the lack of information somewhat. In this news item you will read about:
- Visit of president Sieni Schouten and new board member Alinda Schiller to Sri Lanka
- Status of current projects
- Proceeds from violin action 2024 Soroptimist Club Raalte Nijverdal SallAnders
- Expansion FAITH project with two sewing groups and two Palmyra groups
- Wonderful donations from The Old Cash Register
- Recognition for Father Ramesh
- Youth has the future; will you lend a hand?
Are you reading with us again?
Visit to Sri Lanka by chairman Sieni Schouten and board member Alinda Schiller
Yes, you read it correctly, we have a new board member: Alinda Schiller from Raalte. Alinda is more familiar than anyone else with aid/care work; it was instilled in her from an early age. For years, her parents put their heart and soul into helping poor people in Poland, so the family was closely involved. Meanwhile, both her parents have passed away, lovingly cared for to the last in their own home by Alinda and her brother. Alinda sees Havonos as a sign on her path. We are very happy about that.
On 30 May 2024, the time had come: Sieni and Alinda left for Sri Lanka after a long and intensive preparation. Besides enjoying a little holiday, they visited just about all the projects Havonos has realised with your help. Some projects have been running for years, like the learning/working farm and the YEC. Other projects are new, like the clinic in Batticaloa for addicts and suicidal youths. Sieni also celebrated her birthday during the visit.
To her great surprise some 200 people from a super big bus, showed up to congratulate her.
Very touching and beautiful, especially because this surprise came from the gratitude people feel when experiencing the support of Havonos and all the donors in the Netherlands. It was an experience never to be forgotten.Click here for photos.
Besides visiting the projects, talks were held with our contacts on the ground, the Fathers OMI. And yes, Sieni and Alinda also brought back project wishes, which you will read more about later. In addition to the visit to the projects, there were also discussions with our contacts on site, the Fathers OMI. And yes, Sieni and Alinda also brought project wishes with them. On Sieni's birthday, a woman came to ask Sieni if they wanted to visit her ' house', which they did.
It is known that Sri Lanka is in a huge political, economic and social crisis and not to forget the natural disasters, the people are having a very hard time. This visit made a deep impression, especially on Alinda, people who live in a hut 1 chair no bed, sleep on a mat on the floor, no water, no light, nothing! Deeply sad. See more photos of the area in the north. See more photos of the area in the north.
Status of ongoing projects
Learning/working farm: In our previous post, we wrote that Father Suren was in charge of the learning/working farm as project director. However, he was called by Rome to dedicate himself elsewhere for OMI. Reason for Father Ramesh to move to the learning/working farm in Iyakachchi, to liaise with us from there. He does so together with Fr Jenistan, a canny and passionate person who has been working on the farm for some time.
The farm is doing very well, we could see the development in every sector such as coconut estate, vegetable garden, poultry farm and goat farm.
Batticaloa: the clinic for addicts and suicidal people, has been opened and commissioned. Courses have started and are promising. However, it is still too early to speak of a success. Success will not be down to the Fathers OMI involved; they are totally committed. You will hear more about this project later.
Anna’s Home: Sieni and Alinda also visited Anna's Home and talked to the director Sumithra, who among other things makes sure the buildings and surroundings look neat and tidy. The girls staying in Anna's Home also looked well-groomed. We are happy and satisfied with that.
Proceeds of violet action 2024 Soroptimist Club Raalte Nijverdal SallAnders received
Every year, Soroptimist club Raalte Nijverdal SallAnders carries out an action to financially support a charity related to (young) women. This year too, boxes of pansies were sold for charity. We are grateful and honoured that this year's charity was again a Havonos project, namely Anna's Home. Former board member Mirjam van den Berg, received the proceeds of the action, the nice sum of €2,750 on behalf of Havonos. During their visit, Sieni and Alinda could see with their own eyes at Anna's Home, this money is well spent.
Expanding FAITH project with sewing group and two Palmyra groups
We are particularly proud of the women uniting in FAITH (Food Always in The Home). The number of groups of women uniting under the FAITH banner is growing steadily, and totals at the moment about 700 committed women. During their visit, Sieni and Alinda spoke to several women and saw how active they are and how hard they are work towards a better life. During their visit, Sieni and Alinda heard that a number of women within FAITH wanted to start a sewing group. The enthusiasm of these women was so contagious and the plans so well developed, that on the spot the board was asked (and subsequently agreed), to provide these women with sewing machines.
Also new within FAITH, two groups of women making all kinds of beautiful and sellable products from Palmyra leaves. Such a great initiative.
Wonderful donations from charity shop De Oude Kassa
We wrote about De Oude Kassa before, as the Veenendaal-based charity shop has been benefiting us with part of its proceeds for many years. This was also the case this year. During springtime, we were able to receive the wonderful sum of €500.
In recent years, The Old Cash Register has financially supported many initiatives, and Havonos has had its turn every year. This year was the last time, as the shop closed its doors for good. Of course, we are very sorry about that, but the gratitude for what De Oude Kassa and its customers have meant to us overrides the felt regret, and we expressed that in our farewell letter. Which is why the surprise was all the greater when a few months later another after-donation of €400 from the settlement of the shop, was transferred to us. We spent the latter amount on sewing machines within the FAITH project. After all, The Old Cash Register was a thrift shop and the sewing machines purchased in Sri Lanka were also second-hand. We therefore felt that was a good match.
Recognition for Father Ramesh
Recognition for Father Ramesh Fr. Ramesh OMI has been honored for his humanitarian efforts and initiatives aimed at protecting and promoting human rights and dignity throughout the country. In recognition of his efforts to promote social justice and uphold human rights, he was conferred the prestigious 'Deshabandhu Humanitarian' Award, the highest honor given by the Government of Sri Lanka. He received an award at the International Centre for Human Rights Protection (IHRM) in Colombo. The ceremony was attended by Sri Lankan government officials, social and humanitarian workers, trustees and clergy. We are immensely proud of ‘our’ Ramesh!
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Youth has the future; will you lend a hand? |
High on their wish list, Sieni and Alinda pursue the creation of a scholarship project for young people from the poorest families. During their visit to Sri Lanka, Sieni and Alinda were shocked by the dull empty looks in people's eyes, especially youngsters. School activities to develop skills for daily existence cost a lot of money and many children do not have access to funding. In the situation of (semi-)orphans who are mainly taken care of within the family, costs are borne by the grandparents who barely have anything themselves. Every child has a right to education. A child getting a good education gets future opportunities. To give these youngsters access to a solid (vocational) education, creation of scholarships is necessary. Proceedings are as follows.
For a young person who is allowed to use a scholarship, the educator receives €10 a month for expenses and study materials. That means the project requires 50 x €10 = €500 monthly, and on an annual basis 12 x €500 = €6,000, a hefty sum. However, we would very much like to embrace this project, in order to get the young people out of their hopeless situation and be able to bring lustre back into their eyes. You can help us by, for example, supporting a student with a fixed donation of €10 a month. Would you consider that, or would you like to know more about it? If so, please contact our president, Sieni Schouten (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0572 353447) You will hear more about this project in the future.
So much for this news item. Again, we had a lot to share with you and we have more to share, such as the report of Alinda and Sieni's trip. That report is still being worked on and hopefully will appear on our site soon. We hope and wish you enjoyed reading our posts again. In any case, we thank you very much for your interest, attention and support.
We wish you a beautiful Indian summer and hope to see you next time!
Kind regards, The board of Havonos