The Slide Toward War Continues With a Suicide Bombing and Retaliatory Air Strikes in Trincomalee
(Posted: April 25, 2006, 11:00 a.m., PST)

Rev. Jeyanesan, VeAhavta’s Overseas Agent in Sri Lanka, reported this morning that on Tuesday afternoon, villages in Muttur and Sampoor were bombarded during air strikes by government jets. Located within the Trincomalee District, Muttur and Sampoor are approximately 15 miles from the Grace Care Center as the crow flies.

According to Reuters, the air strikes have been confirmed by the Nordic mission monitoring the ceasefire agreement between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE (see the Reuters article here).

Details regarding the casualties of the air strikes are not yet available.

The air strikes were apparently ordered by the Government of Sri Lanka in retaliation for a suicide bombing, alleged to have been committed by the LTTE, on Sri Lanka’s military chief in Colombo which killed eight people and wounded 27 others (see Guardian article here).

The residents and staff of the Grace Care Center are unharmed.

Please continue to keep our children, brothers and sisters at the Grace Care Center in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you.

 

Violence Intensifies in Trincomalee; U.S. Embassy in Colombo Issues a Warning to Travelers
(Posted: April 19, 2006, 11:40 a.m., PST)

Unfortunately the situation in Sri Lanka, particularly in Trincomalee and Batticaloa, seems to be deteriorating further.

Yesterday, the U.S. Embassy in Colombo issued the following warning to travelers: “The recent increase in the number of violent and deadly claymore mine attacks on Sri Lankan government forces has made road travel unpredictably dangerous. Civilian vehicles have also been seriously damaged and their occupants wounded during these attacks. Communal violence resulting in a number of deaths and injuries has also been reported in Trincomalee in the aftermath of a bombing at a marketplace. The Embassy reminds all Americans that travel to any place in Sri Lanka north of a line from the towns of Puttalam through Anuradhapura to Trincomalee is severely discouraged. In Eastern Sri Lanka, particularly in Batticaloa, the situation remains volatile with periodic violent incidents among various groups and Sri Lankan government forces. One claymore attack has taken place north of Batticaloa. Americans are strongly advised to consider their personal security foremost before traveling or working in this area.” (To see the entire release, click here.)

Fortunately, according to Rev. Jeyanesan and our staff, the violence has not encroached upon the Grace Care Center.

Please keep the children, elders and staff of the Grace Care Center in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you.

 

Civilian Casualties Continue; Sri Lankan Peace Talks Remain Uncertain
(Posted: April 18, 2006, 11:50 a.m., PST)

A wave of attacks in Sri Lanka’s north and east has claimed more than 70 lives this month, while international monitors try to salvage the peace talks scheduled to resume April 24.

So far, the residents and staff of the Grace Care Center are safe, but as Hiram Labrooy wrote in a recent email, “This district is totally paralyzed. I know it is hard for you all to read the situation in Trincomalee. Sometimes I get scared, too.”

The port town of Trincomalee has been subjected to several explosions since April 14, including a detonated claymore mine in the Alles Gardens Internally Displaced Persons camp adjacent to Grace Care Center.

Along with the deaths of combatants and civilians, the recent surge in violence has destroyed dozens of shops and homes throughout northeastern Sri Lanka. Labrooy spoke with some of the displaced families who lost their homes in the village of Anbuwalipuram. Families from more than 40 burned homes gathered in a school building.

“We are happy no one was hurt in our families,” said Mrs. Paneerchelvam. “But we have nothing now: No home, no furniture, no clothes, and we do not know who is going to help us live in peace.”

On Tuesday, April 18, Norwegian mediators headed to Sri Lanka to meet with government and Tamil Tiger leaders to encourage participation in next week’s peace talks.

A team of VeAhavta volunteers is scheduled to leave for the Grace Care Center on April 28.

(Our thanks to Jim Mitchell for this report.)

 

Peace Talks Uncertain After Week of Violence
(Posted: April 14, 2006, 11:45 a.m., PST)

International monitors are urging the Sri Lankan government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to continue with scheduled peace talks in the wake of a week of violence in the country’s northeast. The talks that were scheduled to begin on April 17 were postponed, but we recently learned that the talks have now been rescheduled for April 24-25.

International news agencies have reported the deaths of more than 30 people and serious injuries to many more in a week, beginning Friday, April 7. Explosions, gunfire and riots were responsible for the deaths of soldiers and civilians. For much of the following week, Trincomalee was placed on curfew.

Rev. Dr. S. Jeyanesan, VeAhavta’s Overseas Agent who resides in Batticaloa, has been in contact with the Grace Care Center staff several times each day and reports that, at present, everyone at the Care Center is safe. Fortunately, most of the children are away on holiday with relatives, but all of the elders remain at Mercy Home.

Unfortunately, Rev. Jeyanesan reported today that a male relative of one of our residents was a victim of the recent violence and that his burnt body was found yesterday on a roadside in Trincomalee.

“People live in fear,” said Father Lloyd Anthony Lorio, who heads an Academy teaching English to students including girls from Grace Care Center. “I hear people, especially the young men, ask out loud what does the future hold for them.”

Lorio also said that he heard of another mine blast on Thursday that took place not far from Grace Care Center. Details remained to be confirmed in the incident, in which two girls were believe to have been killed.

Specific incidents included the deaths of 16 people Wednesday: Two policemen were killed in a claymore mine ambush, a soldier and four civilians died in an explosion near the central marketplace, and nine others died in the riots that followed.

Earlier in the week, at least 10 sailors and their driver were reported killed when their bus hit a landmine near Trincomalee.

Diane McLaughlin, manager of Grace Care Center, remained in Colombo recovering from medical treatments, and is expected to return to Trincomalee next week.

If you are the praying kind, then we ask that you please pray for peace in Sri Lanka and for the safety of our residents and staff at the Grace Care Center during this time of extreme violence. Thank you.

(Our thanks to Jim Mitchell for this story.)

 

Reporter Jim Mitchell, VeAhavta Volunteer, Writes of Recent Visit to Grace Care Center
(Posted: March 9, 2006, 4:45 p.m., PDT)

VeAhavta volunteer Jim Mitchell, a reporter with the South Lyon Herald, has just written another outstanding article regarding the recent trip he made to the Grace Care Center in Sri Lanka with fellow volunteers Dr. Gina Amalfitano, Erin Whaley and Collin Loomis. You may read the article here.

 

Rotary Club of Grover Beach Donates $1,000 for Emergency Flood Relief
(Posted: March 8, 2006, 3:45 p.m., PDT)

VeAhavta is pleased to announce that the Rotary Club of Grover Beach has donated $1,000 to VeAhavta. The funds will be used to supplement an emergency flood relief grant VeAhavta provided last December to Rev. Azariah Soundararah of St. James Church (Church of South India) to help with flood relief efforts in the village of Samathanapuram, located in northern Sri Lanka.

The village of nearly 50 families was literally washed away as a result of the worst flooding experienced in the area in 12 years. VeAhavta president Eric Parkinson visited the village for three days in late November with Rev. Soundararah. The grant provided by VeAhavta was used to purchase tents, food, clothing and cooking utensils for the displaced families and will now be supplemented with the funds donated by the Rotary Club of Grover Beach. The funds from the Rotary Club will go a long way towards providing relief to the still-displaced families.

President Scott Nichols presented the funds to Eric Parkinson during a Rotary Club Meeting on February 22, 2006.

Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 31,000 Rotary clubs located in 167 countries.

Chartered in 2003, the Rotary Club of Grover Beach meets at 7:00 a.m., every Wednesday at the Spy Glass Inn in Shell Beach. For more information about the Club, please contact Scott Nichols at 805-473-8466.

On behalf of VeAhavta and the needy families in Samathanapuram who lost all of their possessions in the flooding, we offer our special thanks to the Rotary Club of Grover Beach. Thank you so much for your generosity!

Left: Rev. Soundararah standing in front of St. James Church. Right: a displaced family that was fortunate enough to find temporary shelter.

Alpha Chi Omega Sorority to Serve as “Love Without Borders Campaign Coordinator” at Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo
(Posted: March 8, 2006, 11:45 a.m., PDT)

We are delighted to announce that the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority has agreed to serve as the on-campus Coordinator for the “Love Without Borders Campaign” at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.

Alpha Chi Omega is a national women’s organization, founded in 1885 at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, that enriches the lives of members through lifetime opportunities for friendship, leadership, learning and service. The organization also has a long history of community service including, most recently, by supporting and encouraging others to support victims of domestic violence through connections with local agencies and assisting in the development and implementation of educational programs and hands-on activities to eliminate domestic violence.

The members of the Cal Poly Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega (see photo below) recently sent 64 letters to the Grace Care Center. In a recent email to VeAhavta, Nicole Faubion, the chapter Vice-President of Fraternity Relations, wrote, “I wanted to let you know that the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo chapter of Alpha Chi Omega participated in your ‘Love Without Borders’ campaign as a part of one of our heritage days. When I saw your campaign, I knew it would be a perfect thing for us to do for this years Hera Day. We sent out 64 letters today and I know the girls were very excited and touched by being a part of your campaign. We do various philanthropic events throughout the year and are always looking for more opportunities.”

As the coordinator for the “Love Without Borders Campaign” at Cal Poly, the members of Alpha Chi Omega will be recruiting other sororities, fraternities and clubs to join the Campaign.

Our special thanks to Nicole and all of the other members of Alpha Chi Omega for their support of our children, elders and staff in Sri Lanka!

Some of the members of the Cal Poly Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega (photo courtesy Lisa Maksoudian)

VeAhavta Extends “Love Without Borders Campaign”
(Posted: March 8, 2006, 11:30 a.m., PDT)

At the request of several individuals and groups, VeAhavta has decided to extend the time for the submission of letters to the Grace Care Center pursuant to our “Love Without Borders Campaign.”

The last date to submit letters is now April 15, 2006, and photos of the letters will be taken on April 30.

So if you want to get involved in the “Love Without Borders Campaign,” you still have time. Here’s all you do:

1. Write a letter to the children or elders or staff of the Grace Care Center. In the letter, tell them that you are thinking of them or praying for them, or anything else you want to say that would be of comfort to them. If you can’t write, then draw or color a picture or send a photograph.

2. Address the envelope to: Grace Care Center 3rd Milepost Uppuveli, Trincomalee Sri Lanka

3. In big letters on the back of the envelope, write: STOP THE VIOLENCE – LOVE WITHOUT BORDERS

4. Put an 84¢ stamp on the envelope (if mailing from the U.S.) and on the front of it write, “Airmail Letter Post.”

5. Mail the envelope on or before April 15, 2006.

6. Print out and copy this campaign flyer (PDF or JPG) and distribute it to your family and friends and to the people in your synagogue, church, mosque, temple, school, club, even to (im)perfect strangers; or tell them to log on to this news page and read the instructions here.

If you can get 20 or more people to send a letter, then email us at LWOB@you-shall-love.org and tell us that, and we’ll mail you a free VeAhavta “Love Without Borders” tee-shirt in your size to whatever address you specify in the email.*

On April 30, 2006, we’ll take photographs of the stacks and stacks of mail delivered to the Grace Care Center and of the children, elders and staff opening your envelopes, and post them to our website.

By doing this, you’ll not only be offering encouragement to the children, elders and staff of the Grace Care Center, you’ll also be telling everyone in Sri Lanka who helps deliver your envelope, or who sees our website or reads the newspaper reports about this Campaign that you care and that you want to see a speedy and peaceful solution to the violence in Sri Lanka.

Thanks for supporting the “Love Without Borders Campaign”!

*VeAhavta does not and never will rent, sell, or share your name, email address or any other personal information about you with anyone.

Michigan Volunteer Team Arrives at Grace Care Center
(Posted: February 22, 2006, 3:00 p.m., PDT)

On Sunday, February 19, four VeAhavta volunteers from Michigan arrived at the Grace Care Center in Trincomalee. Led by Dr. Gina Amalfitano – making her third visit to Sri Lanka – team members included South Lyon teacher Erin Whaley, physical education student Collin Loomis and reporter Jim Mitchell.

The group was wonderfully welcomed by Care Center Manager Diane McLaughlin and the Grace children, and looked forward to a productive week.

Erin Whaley spent part of the group’s first day at Father Lorio’s English Academy, and plans to speak with Mrs. Jothinathan at the Methodist Girls College. Erin and Diane are gathering the necessary materials and instructional plans to facilitate home-schooling and further tutoring of the children at Grace. Erin, who first visited the GCC in August 2005, enjoyed her first encounters with the Grace Daycare children, and hopes to assess any future needs for that program.

Gina Amalfitano said that this trip, compared to previous visits, will be more of a consulting than prescriptive mission. Rather than manage training or needs at Mercy Home, Gina hopes to observe and ensure that the staff is capable of operating the facility without outside supervision.

Mercy Home’s resident population is now 16, and the staff is working to ensure they can properly address resident needs when they approach the 82-resident capacity.

“Think about what this place will be like with 50 patients,” Gina asked the staff rhetorically. While in Sri Lanka she will meet with local doctors and staff.

Collin Loomis spent Tuesday watching the younger Grace children participate in a sports-day tournament, and plans to work out a physical education schedule for the Grace Care Center residents, alternating days of the week for certain activities to accommodate the children.

Jim Mitchell has set a personal goal of taking more pictures than during his previous two visits. The sitting room at Mercy Home is decorated with poster-size reproductions of pictures taking during the February 2005 flower-pot painting party, and Jim hopes to capture images of the elders with the children for additional decorations.

As always, the tired travelers were warmly welcomed by one and all, and look forward to a productive week.

Bomb Explodes Near Access Road to Grace Care Center Wounding 12 Sailors and Killing at Least 2 Civilians; Grace Home Children Safe
(Posted: January 17, 2005, 11:45 a.m. PDT)

Unfortunately, another act of violence has occurred in Trincomalee, this time very close to the Grace Care Center.

Last night, Diane McLaughlin, the Grace Care Center Manager, called Eric Parkinson to report that an explosion of some kind had just occurred on the Nilaveli-Trincomalee road at the third mile post, directly across the entrance to the Grace Care Center access road. Fortunately, most of the Grace Home children were at school – their first day back since the Hartal was lifted.

According to published reports (see, IHT, Reuters stories), a “claymore mine,” comprised of plastic explosive and ball bearings, hit a navy bus after which suspected rebels began shooting at the sailors inside. When the smoke had cleared 11 or 12 soldiers were injured and 2 civilians – caught in the crossfire – were killed.

Immediately after the explosion, the remaining families living in the Alles Gardens IDP camp fled to the Grace Care Center where they were promptly given refuge. Shortly thereafter, Diane, along with Hiram Labrooy, the Mercy Home Program Director, attempted to leave with the bus to retrieve the Grace Home children from school, but couldn’t pass on the road. By noon, however, Diane and Hiram were able to pick-up the children and bring them back safely to the Grace Care Center.

According to Diane, all of the children are safe and, since most were at school, did not witness the explosion. Eleven children, newly admitted to Grace Home, were at the Grace Care Center when the explosion occurred but they are fine.

Rev. Gnanapragasam and 2 other members of the Grace Care Center staff were off-site when the incident occurred, but they are all now safely back at the Care Center.

The Grace Daycare children were evacuated from the compound by parents or relatives soon after the blast occurred.

It is unknown whether schools or businesses will be open tomorrow or if a curfew will be imposed on Trincomalee. We will post updates as they occur.

Thank you for your prayers and support during this time of crisis.

Hartal Ends in Trincomalee; Grace Home Children to Return to School
(Posted: January 16, 2005, 10:45 a.m. PDT)

We are pleased to report that the Hartal in Trincomalee has been called off. Effective Monday, January 16, all schools and businesses in the area will reopen.

According to Diane McLaughlin, the Grace Care Center Manager, the Grace Home children are very excited about returning to school.

Unfortunately, the violence in Sri Lanka continues to escalate (see, Reuters; BBC stories). Norwegian negotiator Erik Solheim is reportedly due to arrive in Sri Lanka on January 23 and will attempt to restart the peace process (see, Asian Tribune story), but no agreement to return to the negotiating table has yet been reached.

Thank you for your prayers and support during this time of crisis.

Help Encourage the Children, Elders and Staff of the Grace Care Center and Stop the Violence in Sri Lanka by Joining VeAhavta’s “Love Without Borders Campaign”
(Posted: January 13, 2006, 4:30 p.m., PDT)

Want to show your support for the residents and staff of the Grace Care Center and at the same time make your voice for peace heard in Sri Lanka? Then join our “Love Without Borders Campaign.”

Here’s all you do:

1. Write a letter to the children or elders or staff of the Grace Care Center. In the letter, tell them that you are thinking of them or praying for them, or anything else you want to say that would be of comfort to them. If you can’t write, then draw or color a picture or send a photograph.

2. Address the envelope to:

Grace Care Center
3rd Milepost
Uppuveli, Trincomalee
Sri Lanka

3. In big letters on the back of the envelope, write: STOP THE VIOLENCE – LOVE WITHOUT BORDERS

4. Put an 84¢ stamp on the envelope (if mailing from the U.S.) and on the front of it write, “Airmail Letter Post.”

5. Mail the envelope anytime between January 13, 2006 and February 28, 2006.

6. Print out and copy this campaign flyer (PDF or JPG) and distribute it to your family and friends and to the people in your synagogue, church, mosque, temple, school, club, even to perfect strangers; or tell them to log on to this news page (http://www.you-shall-love.org/news.shtml) and read the instructions here.

If you can get 30 or more people to send a letter, then email us at lwob@you-shall-love.org and tell us that, and we’ll mail you a free VeAhavta “Love Without Borders” tee-shirt in your size to whatever address you specify in the email.*

On March 17, 2006, we’ll take photographs of the stacks and stacks of mail delivered to the Grace Care Center and of the children, elders and staff opening your envelopes, and post them to our website.

By doing this, you’ll not only be offering encouragement to the children, elders and staff of the Grace Care Center, you’ll also be telling everyone in Sri Lanka who helps deliver your envelope, or who sees our website or reads the newspaper reports about this Campaign that you care and that you want to see a speedy and peaceful solution to the violence in Sri Lanka.

Thanks for supporting the “Love Without Borders Campaign”!

*VeAhavta does not and never will rent, sell, or share your name, email address or any other personal information about you with anyone.

 

Residents and Staff of Grace Care Center Try to Keep Busy and Remain Calm as Sri Lanka Teeters on the Brink of Civil War
(Posted: January 13, 2006, 1:30 p.m., PDT)

As Sri Lanka stands “on the brink” of a re-eruption of the civil war that has already claimed the lives of more than 65,000 people since 1983 (Telegraph story; Reuters story) and Trincomalee remains in a Hartal that “could have more impact on malnutrition than the 2004 tsunami” (Reuters story), the residents and staff of the Grace Care Center are doing their best to keep busy and remain calm.

And they are largely succeeding in their efforts thanks, for the most part, to the extraordinary leadership of Grace Care Center Manager, Diane McLaughlin.

During a telephone call last night to VeAhavta President Eric Parkinson, Diane reported that incidents of violence continue to multiply, that the current Hartal in Trincomalee is expected to last until at least Sunday, and that the Methodist Girls College – which the Grace Home children attend – is unlikely to re-open before January 29.

But Diane also reported that she and the rest of the Grace Care Center staff are keeping the residents busy and that life within the compound has remained calm. The Care Center staff and even some of the Mercy Home elders are conducting regular classes for the children every day since their school is closed. The residents and staff are also playing a lot of cricket and other games, and recently had a talent show (see photos below) to help distract them from reports of the deteriorating political situation.

Diane also reported that during the one-day break in the Hartal, one additional child returned to the Grace Care Center. At present, a total of 16 children have not returned to the Care Center from holidays, but all are with relatives and we have no reason to believe that they are not safe and sound.

Once again, if you are the praying kind, we can certainly use your prayers right now...for the children, for the elders, for the staff, for Diane and for a speedy end to the violence.

Our heartfelt thanks go to Diane McLaughlin (aka, “Wonder Woman”) and to the Grace Care Center staff – our brothers and sisters – for their amazing efforts and for the love and protection they are helping to provide for our children and elders. You are in our hearts, thoughts and prayers always.

Thanks also to our supporters for your prayers and on-going love and support during this difficult time of crisis.

Left: Diane "gettin' down" with the kids. Right: The "Comedy Team of Wicky & Murthy" (Mercy Home staff) perform their routine for the kids, elders and staff.

Grace Honor Society Girls Use Break in Hartal to Help the Ravatha Children’s Buddhist Orphanage in Trincomalee
(Posted: January 13, 2006, 11:30 a.m., PDT)

They had only a one-day break in the Hartal, but they used the time very well.

Seizing the opportunity created by a one-day break in the Hartal in Trincomalee, the girls of the Grace Honor Society reached out to provide food and medical supplies to the Ravatha Children’s Buddhist Orphanage in Trincomalee on January 11.

The Grace Care Center previously hosted an ice cream social on May 27, 2005, for the children of the Ravatha Orphanage and Sivananda Thapovanam, a predominantly Hindu orphanage located less than a mile from the Grace Care Center orphanage. (See, “Grace Home Children Host Ice Cream Social for Children of Two Other Orphanages in the Midst of Religious and Ethnic Tension in Trincomalee,” posted June 9, 2005, in News Archive 1.) Most of the approximately 40 children at the Rawatha Orphanage are Singhalese, with a few Muslim and Tamil children as well.

Due to the Hartal, Rawatha was not able to obtain necessary medical supplies and food. So, two of the Grace Honor Society girls – Dinushiya Sutharshrini and Mehala Mylvanganam – went to Rawatha with Grace Care Center Manager Diane McLaughlin to deliver what was needed.

Membership in the Grace Honor Society is extended to Grace Home girls who consistently demonstrate that they are actively seeking to develop within themselves the following seven traits:

1. Grace Honor Society members demonstrate kindness toward others, especially towards outcasts – people who are in need of a friend – and they never resort to violence to solve a problem.

2. Respect for others, especially toward people different from themselves, such as people of different ethnic groups, races and religions. Grace Honor Society members realize that differences among people are a blessing in that each person has unique talents and gifts that, when used together with the talents of others, make us all stronger and bind us together as brothers and sisters.

3. Grace Honor Society members demonstrate leadership. They lead by example and have the courage to think for themselves and to do what they know to be right regardless of what others are doing.

4. Grace Honor Society members demonstrate achievement, whether in academics, vocational training, sports, dance, singing, religion, etc. Their achievements are not necessarily measured by winning medals or awards, but by the standards that each member sets for herself.

5. Grace Honor Society members exemplify purity by keeping themselves clean in body, in thought, in word and in deed.

6. Grace Honor Society children live with honesty. They don’t lie; they tell the truth even when doing so is difficult, knowing that being honest with themselves and with others is not only the right way to live, it also helps develop a strong foundation for loving relationships with others.

7. Finally, and most importantly, Grace Honor Society members do their best to love others unconditionally. They don’t try to force others to conform to their own expectations or ways of doing things; instead, they love others as they are and they stand by others as loyal friends do.

On May 28, 2005, four girls – Dinesha Thevasagayam, Dinushiya Sutharshrini, Mehala Mylvanganam and Tharmini Punyamoorth – were admitted to the Grace Honor Society during a public ceremony for the opening of Mercy Home. They were given a certificate and a special pair of sapphire earrings, each one containing 7 stones – one on top (love) surrounded by six – to symbolize the virtues of the Society.

After visiting the Ravatha Orphanage on January 11, the Grace Honor Society members made a decision to use Society funds to perform a community service project, specifically, to design and build a playground and garden at the Ravatha Orphanage for the enjoyment of the children and staff.

“The great acts of love are done by those who are habitually performing small acts of kindness” [author unknown]. What adults don’t always seem to be able to do, children can usually do without hesitation, even in a climate of hatred and violence.

Our warmest congratulations to the members of the Grace Honor Society for reaching out across ethnic and religious boundaries to offer a hand of loving kindness to brothers and sisters in need! We are very proud of you all!

May we all learn to love others as the children of the Grace Honor Society!

Left: Diane, Mehala and Dinushiya (l-r) delivering supplies to the managing priest at the Ravatha Children’s Buddhist Orphanage (Rev. J. Gnanapragasam on the righ). Right: Posing for a photograph with some of the children at Ravatha.

Trincomalee Under Hartal in Response to Recent Violence
(Posted: January 5, 2006, 1:30 p.m., PDT)

In the wake of the “execution-style” killings of 5 local youths (see Reuters story here), a district-wide shutdown of all businesses and government offices, known locally as a “Hartal,” has started and is expected to last for at least a week in Trincomalee.

VeAhavta president Eric Parkinson received a telephone call this morning from Diane McLaughlin, the Manager of the Grace Care Center, notifying him of the shutdown.

“Everything has been shut down here,” Diane stated. “The schools are closed, the stores are closed, and no one is permitted to travel. We expect this to last for at least one week.”

Although many of the children who had relatives to stay with over the holidays have returned to the Grace Care Center, 17 of the children and some of the Care Center staff have not yet returned most likely because there are no buses or trains running to Trincomalee. We have no reason to believe that any of the children who have not returned are not safe.

According to Diane, the atmosphere in Trincomalee is “very tense,” and the children, elders and staff who are at the Care Center are understandably concerned and, at times, very nervous and fearful. However, so far the violence has not encroached upon the Grace Care Center compound, although a grenade blast did occur two nights ago somewhere in the vicinity of the Alles Gardens IDP camp, which is located adjacent to the Care Center.

“I spoke with Diane and some of the children and staff this morning and they all seem to be doing fine,” Eric said. “Diane is doing a wonderful job of keeping everyone calm. If it were not for her leadership and maturity, I’m sure that many of the children and the staff would be in a panic. But she’s keeping everyone busy and is using her positive and hopeful attitude and wonderful sense of humor to help maintain the calm.”

Thank you for your prayers and support. We will post further updates as we learn more.

Meet Diane McLaughlin – The New Manager of the Grace Care Center
(Posted: December 28, 2005, 10:00 a.m., PST)

VeAhavta is very proud to announce that Ms. Diane McLaughlin has agreed to serve as the new manager of the Grace Care Center in Trincomalee.

Diane is a social worker from Cleveland, Ohio, who brings with her an extensive amount of experience managing residential youth homes and working with abused and neglected children. Most recently, Diane worked for four years as the Service Coordinator and Cottage Manager for Catholic Charities Services – Parmadale in Cleveland. Prior to that, she served for three years as the Program Manager for the Children’s Crisis Center in Helena, Montana, and, before that, worked for a year as a Case Manager with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps.

During August and September of this year, Diane spent roughly a month as a volunteer at the Grace Care Center getting to know the children, their teachers and the Grace Care Center staff, after which time she provided VeAhavta with a detailed report setting forth her observations ranging from the children’s psychosocial health to their diet.

Diane also attended the recent volunteer meeting in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she met and thoroughly impressed VeAhavta president Eric Parkinson, as well as all of the other volunteers who had gathered for the conference. Eric and Diane traveled to the Grace Care Center on November 19 of this year, and Diane was installed as the manager of the facility by Eric and Rev. Jeyanesan on December 1. Diane is expected to serve as the manager of the facility for at least one year.

Eric had the following to say about Diane: “ Diane is not only loved by the residents and staff of the Grace Care Center, she’s also an outstanding leader and role model. Her maturity, intelligence, management skills and professional insight makes her an extremely valuable member of the Grace Care Center staff. She also has a wonderful sense of humor and will be a strong advocate for the Grace Care Center residents, particularly the children. I am so grateful to Diane for her help. I am very confident in her abilities and feel that she is the ideal person to manage the Grace Care Center.”

Although Diane is serving in a volunteer capacity, VeAhavta is very grateful to the wonderful people at Trinity Health International for providing the financial support which made it possible to pay Diane’s traveling and living expenses. Thank you so much.

Thank you, Diane, and welcome aboard!

Diane with some of the staff of the Grace Care Center (L-R: Miss Induja Vasanthakumar, Miss V. Vijayashanthy, Ms. Diane McLaughlin and Mrs. Daisy Soundranayagam)

Sunday Bloody Sunday:
A Christmas Day Tragedy in Sri Lanka
(Posted: December 25, 2005, 12:45 a.m., PDT)

I can't believe the news today
I can't close my eyes and make it go away
How long, how long must we sing this song?
How long? How long...
Tonight...we can be as one
Tonight...
(From "Sunday Bloody Sunday," by U2)

VeAhavta wishes everyone a Christmas and a Hanukah filled with joy and a New Year filled with peace and brotherhood.

Unfortunately, we have some disturbing news to report. We received an email this morning from Rev. Jeyanesan. Rather than paraphrase his words, here is the entire text of the email itself:

Dear Brothers and sisters,

CHRISTMAS DAY TRAGEDY

Let me wish you all in the name of our Baby Jesus.

This morning at 1:20, Mr. Joseph Pararajasingaham, Member of Parliament for Batticaloa was shot dead inside a church in Batticaloa by unknown gunmen. He was returning from the Lord's Table after receiving Holy Communion at St. Mary's Cathedral at Batticaloa. The Catholic Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Kingsly Swampillai, who was celebrating the Holy Mass, narrowly escaped.

Eight other people, including two children and Mr. Pararajasingaham's wife, were also seriously injured in the attack. On the same day in Jaffna, five civilians including a woman were shot dead as they were returning from the midnight service.

In Batticaloa, two other civilians were shot and killed in Amman Hindu Temple.

You may remember two weeks ago gunmen entered the Muslim Mosque at Akkarapathu in the Eastern province and shot dead four Muslim worshipers and injuring several others.

It looks like armed men do not even respect God or religious places. So how can we expect them to respect human lives?

Again I am asking all of you to pray for Sri Lanka and pray for peace in the North and the East. We will also do everything possible along with other duties and responsibilities to bring Peace and Harmony to our country.

May the Prince of Peace shower His Grace and Wisdom to all who are in authority and power in Sri Lanka, particularly in the North and East provinces.

Yours in His service,
Rev. Dr. S. Jeyanesan

Your may read more about the story here.

How long must we sing this song of tragedy?

If you are the praying kind, then we ask that you join us in praying (with words and deeds) for peace among our brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka. Thank you.

Rev. Jeyanesan Issues 1st Anniversary Report Regarding Tsunami Disaster & Relief Efforts
(Posted: December 22, 2005, 3:00 p.m., PDT)

Rev. Dr. S. Jeyanesan has authored a 1st Anniversary report (his tenth report to date) summarizing the tsunami disaster and the relief efforts conducted so far. You may view the report here in either HTML or in PDF format (requires Adobe® Acrobat® Reader®).

Wheelchairs to Mercy Home
(Posted: November 8, 2005, 3:00 p.m., PDT)

On October 27, five very special wheelchairs were handed over to Mercy Home at the Grace Care Center. These chairs originated in the mind and garage of mechanical engineer Don Schoendorfer (www.freewheelchairmission.org), who developed a vision of how mobility could change the lives of the disabled poor during a visit to Morocco in 1977. His modest goal is to deliver “twenty million chairs given away free by 2010.”

I first heard about the chairs (and sat in one) at the October meeting of the TriCounties District of the California Physical Therapy Association. The speaker was E. Russell Smith, a businessman and member of the Sunrise Rotary Club of Santa Barbara. Physical therapist Barb Edmison and her husband Bob McPhillips, a fellow Rotarian with Mr. Smith, arranged for the talk. Mr. Smith was spearheading his club’s program to promote the chairs.

The chairs are a miracle of ingenuity and simplicity, made with inexpensive but durable materials, the centerpiece of which is the basic white resin chair that you find in the patio department of your local K-Mart. The chairs are manufactured and shipped for less than $42, and are built to stand up to weather, water, dust and wear.

The Indian Ocean tsunami of December 26 was the impetus for me to become a volunteer with VeAhavta, and the prospect of helping at Mercy Home led me to recall Mr. Smith’s presentation. I contacted him, and he immediately set the gears in motion that would provide for the delivery of the chairs. Over the next several months, his fellow Rotarians Shan (in Colombo) and Scaria (in South India) would orchestrate and follow through with the plan to deliver the chairs. On October 27, 6 months of work by Shan and Scaria culminated at the Trincomalee Rotary Club Meeting (Jeeno Singarayer presiding). Grace Care Center’s Rev. Gnanapragasam and Mercy Home’s Hiram Labrooy accepted the chairs at the handing-over ceremony, along with one of Mercy Home’s own residents.

Big thanks to everyone involved!

Tom McLaughlin, PT, VeAhavta Volunteer

Left: Don Schoendorfer's amazing wheelchairs; right: Handing-over ceremony in Trincomalee on Oct. 27, 2005

In Memoriam: Mr. S. Nadarajah
(Posted: October 17, 2005, 10:00 a.m., PDT)

Mr. S. Nadarajah, a resident of Mercy Home in Trincomalee, passed away at approximately 9:30 a.m. (Sri Lankan time) on Saturday, October 15, 2005.

Mr. Nadarajah was born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, on June 22, 1911, and was 94 years old at the time of his death. He was admitted to Mercy Home very recently – on September 22, 2005. At the time of his admission, Mr. Nadarajah was asked about his goals and hopes, and he simply said, “Being alone is lonely. I need some one to take care of me at this age.”

Fortunately, Mr. Nadarajah’s final days were spent, not in loneliness, but in a loving environment surrounded by people who cared for him and spent time with him. In the short time that he was with us at Mercy Home, we were blessed by Mr. Nadarajah’s presence. He will be missed by his family and by those who were fortunate enough to know him.

Left: Mr. S. Nadarajah; right: Memorial service at Mercy Home

VeAhavta Establishes “Pakistan Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund” and Associates With “Islamic Relief” in Response to Devastating South Asia Quake
(Posted: October 12, 2005, 5:30 p.m., PDT)

On Saturday, October 8, 2005, the city of Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, was the epicenter of a 7.6-magnitude earthquake that has devastated the city and surrounding regions in northern Pakistan and Kashmir. The death toll, which is expected to rise sharply in the next several weeks as more aid workers arrive to help, presently exceeds 40,000 and fears are mounting that many more may die from exposure or disease with winter just six weeks away. The United Nations has stated that 2.5 million people near the Pakistan-India border need shelter immediately. Pakistan’s President, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, called Saturday’s earthquake the country’s worst on record and has appealed for international aid.

VeAhavta has been in contact with “Islamic Relief” – an international aid agency with an office in Los Angeles that has over 20 years of experience in disaster relief and three full-time offices near the earthquake-affected areas in Islamabad, Neelum Valley, and Muzaffarabad that were staffed with close to 100 employees when the quake struck. Islamic Relief’s mission is to strive to “alleviate suffering, hunger, illiteracy and diseases worldwide regardless of color, race or creed, and to provide aid in a compassionate and dignified manner. Islamic Relief aims to provide rapid relief in the event of human and natural disasters and to establish local development projects to eradicate poverty, illiteracy and disease.”

Islamic Relief is uniquely qualified to provide relief due to its long-time presence in Pakistan and its excellent reputation – enjoyed both in the U.S. and abroad – for providing highly effective assistance with minimal operating expenses. Islamic Relief is a particularly appropriate organization for VeAhavta to work with not just because of the effectiveness of its programs but also because of its commitment to provide aid “regardless of color, race or creed.”

VeAhavta has established a “Pakistan Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund” and is proud to associate with Islamic Relief to provide help for our brothers and sisters in Pakistan and Kashmir by offering donations and possibly medical personnel.

VeAhavta is planning various fundraising events in the near future and urges its donors to get involved by making donations to VeAhavta either through our on-line donation page or by mail. All donations should be marked for “Pakistan Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund.”

Thank you for your generosity and prayers for our brothers and sisters in Pakistan and Kashmir as this tragedy unfolds.

Grace Care Fleet Casts Nets
(Posted: September 26, 2005, 9:45 a.m., PST)

Four fishing boats were provided by VeAhavta to members of a Trincomalee fishing union, thereby initiating a program that VeAhavta started planning in February, 2005. The boats were delivered to Grace Care Center in August and, following a launching ceremony presided over by Rev. Gnanapragasam on August 15, the vessels were put to work in the Bay of Bengal.

Earlier this year, VeAhavta president Eric Parkinson and Detroit attorney Lynn Helland met with representatives from the local fishermen's cooperative. VeAhavta agreed to provide four boats to the union, many of whose members lost their vessels to the tsunami. In exchange for VeAhavta purchasing boats, engines and nets, the fishing union would donate a percentage of the daily catch to local internally displaced persons camps.

There's an old saying that, if you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. Teach him to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.

In this case; provide some men with boats, and you can help feed a village.

VeAhavta volunteers were on hand in August when the boats were delivered. Five of the volunteers enjoyed the maiden voyage of the first two boats, and a ceremony was presided over later that month to bless the vessels on their mission.

(Our thanks to James Mitchell for this story and to Diane McLaughlin for the photographs.)

Left: Lynn Helland, Eric Parkinson and Hiram Labrooy (L-R) negotiating with representatives from the Valampuri Fishermen's Co-op Society Federation in February, 2005. Right: One of the four fishing boats on her maiden voyage with VeAhavta volunteers Erin Whaley, Diane McLaughlin and program manager, Hiram Labrooy.

In Memoriam: Mr. Muthukarupan Nagu
(Posted: September 23, 2005, 11:20 a.m., PDT)

Mr. Muthukarupan Nagu, a resident of Mercy Home in Trincomalee, passed away at approximately 9:30 p.m. (Sri Lankan time) on Friday, September 23, 2005, at Trincomalee General Hospital. Mr. Nagu was admitted to Mercy Home on July 21, 2005, but when his physical condition abruptly deteriorated was taken to the hospital on September 21 upon the advice of our medical team.

Unfortunately, we knew very little about Mr. Nagu’s life; he did not even know his date of birth. We do know that he was born in India and was living with a neighbor in Muthur prior to becoming a part of our family at Mercy Home. He was mentally alert while he was with us and gave every indication that he was happy at Mercy Home. His company was certainly enjoyed by the other residents, staff and visiting volunteers.

When asked at the time of admission what his goals and hopes were, Mr. Nagu responded by saying that he simply wanted “to have a good place to die.” Thanks to the staff of Mercy Home and VeAhavta’s supporters, and based on the joy that Mr. Nagu expressed during the short time he was at Mercy Home, we believe that his hope was fulfilled. We were blessed by his company and he will be missed.

Mr. Nagu was a devout Hindu and, as such, will be given all appropriate funeral rites (“Shraddha”) as a Hindu.

Left: Mr. Muthukarupan Nagu; right: Mr. Nagu at Mercy Home with fellow resident, Mr. Kanththaiyah

VeAhavta Founder & President Takes Sabbatical to Accept Full-Time Position
(Posted: September 8, 2005, 4:00 p.m., PST)

In response to the growth of VeAhavta and the pressure on its volunteers since the tsunami, Eric Parkinson – VeAhavta’s founder and current president – has agreed to take a one-year sabbatical from his California-based law practice in order to accept a full-time position with the organization. Eric is already in the process of making the transition and by the end of September anticipates turning his full attention to VeAhavta.

In order to ensure that VeAhavta’s administrative expenses are kept to a minimum, the VeAhavta Board of Directors has resolved not to use undesignated funds (i.e., general funds not specified for any of VeAhavta’s particular programs) for Eric’s salary. Instead, only funds that are specifically donated to “administrative expenses” will be used for salary. In this way, VeAhavta will be able to continue to assure donors that 98-99% of their donations will to be used only for program expenses.

“By devoting my full attention to VeAhavta, I hope to be able to improve the efficiency of the organization and to provide help for still more people in need,” Parkinson said. “I want to thank the members of the Board for their confidence in me. I am really looking forward to the coming year.”

Michigan Volunteers to Host VeAhavta Meeting in Ann Arbor October 28-30
(Posted: September 8, 2005, 3:50 p.m., PST)

We are pleased to announce that VeAhavta’s volunteers from Michigan will be hosting a planning meeting for volunteers in Ann Arbor during the weekend of October 28-30. The meeting is being organized by volunteer David Raymond and Dr. Naresh Gunaratnam. All VeAhavta volunteers and anyone else interested in our work in Sri Lanka are invited to attend. In addition to the volunteers from Michigan, the meeting will be attended by Eric Parkinson, VeAhavta’s president, and Dr. Rushdi Abdul Cader, VeAhavta’s Chief Medical Officer. Additional details will be posted as they develop.

Our special thanks to Mr. Raymond and Dr. Gunaratnam for all of their efforts in organizing the meeting.

Rev. Jeyanesan Issues Ninth Report Regarding Tsunami Disaster & Relief Efforts
(Posted: September 7, 2005, 2:15 p.m., PDT)

Rev. Jeyanesan has authored a ninth report summarizing the tsunami disaster and the relief efforts conducted so far. You may view the report here in either HTML or in PDF format (requires Adobe® Acrobat® Reader®).

“South Lyon to Sri Lanka” – Special Section of South Lyon Herald Now Available for On-Line Viewing
(Posted: August 31, 2005, 3:30 p.m., PDT)

Thanks to Jim Mitchell, a reporter, friend and ardent supporter of VeAhavta’s work at the Grace Care Center in Sri Lanka, and his equally supportive editor Sam Black, the entire 9-page special section of the South Lyon Herald published on July 7, 2005, is now available on-line in full format. The special section includes the inspiring stories and photographs of the awareness-raising and fundraising activities of the community of South Lyon, Michigan. You may access the section by clicking on the links below. (These are large PDF files, so please be patient while they download; the wait is certainly worth it.) All pages are posted with the permission of the South Lyon Herald; for reprints or any other use of these pages, please contact the paper at (248) 437-2011.

Our special thanks to Jim Mitchell, Sam Black and the South Lyon Herald for allowing us to put the special section on-line.

Li'l Angels knit friendship into bracelets for the girls of Grace Home
(Posted: August 21, 2005, 11:10 a.m., PDT)

Several weeks ago while visiting some friends I noticed my friend knitting on what looked like a scarf. When I asked about it she was excited to tell me about how her daughter and some friends had started a precious little group where the girls get together to knit scarfs, lap blankets, and beanie hats for those currently residing in own local rest homes for the elderly. She then told me that she was helping her daughter with some of the knitting. To this I shared about our own precious group of girls in Sri Lanka who would create such beautiful crafts and garlands for us every time we visit. I then went on to share about their recent experience with the tsunami and the idea was born to have the girls here knit friendship bracelets for our girls in Sri Lanka as a way to show their hearts were with them. The girls then went to work and knit one hundred bracelets using many different patterns and yarns, all of them different, and all of them with their very own hands. So it is with great love we were able to give these friendship bracelets to the girls of Grace Home during a recent visit by some of our friends and volunteers. Here is a group photo of the girls that knit the bracelet's. They named their group "Lil Angels,", and we couldn't agree more:

 

Stay tuned as our friends have just returned from Sri Lanka we will be posting a follow-up to this story along with pictures of our girls in Sri Lanka as they receive these bracelet's from their ever increasing number of family and friends from around the world.

Benefit Concert by Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels Brings Donations from South Lyon, Michigan, to Over $22,000
(Posted: July 6, 2005, 9:45 a.m., PDT)

Motor City music legend Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels packed the house on the evening of June 30 for a benefit concert to conclude the "South Lyon to Sri Lanka" fundraising campaign. Ryder and his band are perhaps best known for their hit single, "Devil with the Blue Dress On." The concert's profits brought the community fund to $22,350.18, raised through dozens of events by student groups, individuals, local organizations and businesses. Fundraising events included concerts, an 82-year-old woman distributing and collecting donation canisters, and a 10-year-old saving money by doing odd jobs and donating $58.

The South Lyon to Sri Lanka campaign was launched in the suburban Detroit community in January. A local resident's daughter had a pen-pal living in Sri Lanka, and was able to determine the girl survived through VeAhavta and Ann Arbor Dr. Naresh Gunaratnam. Inspired by having a connection to a tsunami-ravaged facility, the community launched a series of fundraisers. In an effort to show where and how raised funds would go, the South Lyon Herald sent reporter James Mitchell to Sri Lanka, joining a crew of a dozen Michigan volunteers for two weeks in February.

Somehow, the momentum for the fundraising campaign was sustained even after the last of James Mitchell's "Dateline: Trincomalee" stories were printed in the newspaper. As recently as late June, a 9-year-old held a birthday party with invitations requesting donations to the fund in lieu of presents. When the newspaper learned that Mitch Ryder had recently become a resident of the area, arrangements were made to hold a benefit concert, and Mr. Ryder waived his personal fee for the occasion.

The June 30 concert featured as opening act The Martindales, a local band that had previously organized (and performed at) a "Blues for Sri Lanka" concert in South Lyon. Between the performances by the Martindales and Ryder, South Lyon Herald reporter and VeAhavta volunteer James Mitchell gave a presentation about VeAhavta and Grace Care Center.

Interest among the community of South Lyon continues: South Lyon school teacher Erin Whaley is joining an August VeAhavta trip to the Grace Care Center, and several of the students who participated in the fundraisers have said they would enjoy having an e-pal to correspond with.

Our heartfelt thanks to Jim Mitchell and the South Lyon Herald, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, the Martindales, and all others from South Lyon who helped organize fundraisers and who donated their time and money for our neighbors in Sri Lanka.

"Spread the Love 100-Mile Swim Challenge" in Lancaster, England, Raises Over £2,000 For Tsunami Relief
(Posted: June 27, 2005, 4:00 p.m., PDT)

Support for our neighbors in Sri Lanka continues to pour in from all over the world - this time, once again, from England.

When Dave Barker of Lancaster University in Lancaster, England, saw the images of the tsunami on television and read about the disaster in newspapers, he was in shock and felt he had to do something to help.

As a lifeguard and swimming instructor, "Big Dave" came up with the idea of a sponsored swim to raise funds. Initially, he thought of a one-man swim but after discussing his ideas with friends and colleagues at work he soon realized that he wasn't the only person who had been touched by the tragedy.

Dave then considered swimming across the English Channel (about 65 miles) with a small group, but he had to expand the plan again when he realized how many people wanted to become involved. After discussing his ideas with the management of the Lancaster University Sports Centre, Dave and his growing group decided to use the University pool and they set a challenging target distance of 100 miles. They called the event the "Spread the Love 100-Mile Swim Challenge." Funds were to be raised through individual sponsorships of the participants, a raffle with prizes donated from local businesses and a collection bucket in the Sports Centre.

Word of the event spread quickly through word of mouth, posters and via the local media.

On February 14, the date set for the event, approximately 50 swimmers of all ages took to the pool. Dave was astounded by what was accomplished. Individual participants swam anywhere from 2 lengths (50 meters) to 5 miles. One swimmer managed to raise 250 Pounds. One of the younger swimmers (just 10 years old) managed to swim 64 lengths thereby beating her previous personal record of 16 by 48 lengths!

When the event was completed and the totals were added up, Dave was stunned by the news that the swimmers had logged 105 miles in the pool and they did it with one hour of their allotted time remaining! The challenge had been met and then some! In addition to raising some £2,156 (over $3,900), Dave and his team had successfully raised something else: the awareness and compassion of a large group of people - people interested in reaching out to help others in need.

On behalf of VeAhavta and our Sri Lankan brothers and sisters, we extend our heartiest congratulations and thanks to Big Dave Barker (a big man with an even bigger heart), the other organizers, participants and donors involved in the "Spread the Love 100-Mile Swim Challenge." Your kindness, generosity and tenacity are a wonderful example for all of us. Thank you so much!

Trinity Health International Donates $80,000 Towards New Orphanage in Trincomalee
(Posted: June 20, 2005, 1:15 p.m., PDT)

On April 27, 2005, the VeAhavta Board of Directors unanimously decided to make an offer to purchase a new 5-acre piece of property located adjacent to our Grace Care Center in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, which we will eventually develop into a boy's orphanage. Negotiations with the seller of the property are ongoing, but we expect to purchase the property sometime within the next month.

We are delighted to announce that we have received an $80,000 donation through Trinity Health International (THI) to be used toward the purchase of the new property. Patricia Williams, THI's Director, notified us of the $80,000 donation on June 14.

The donation includes contributions made by: Trinity Health of Novi, Michigan; Trinity Health employees who made individual donations through a fundraising drive sponsored by Trinity Health; and contributions from various other outside entities.

THI previously contributed a total of $37,380 toward VeAhavta's tsunami relief programs.

Formerly known as "Mercy International Health Services," THI has over 20 years experience providing technical assistance, training, consulting and management services to governments, ministries of health and private healthcare organizations around the world. THI has access to over 40,000 employees and 46 hospitals, numerous long-term care facilities, home health and hospice programs, and senior housing communities in seven states. These resources are utilized, as appropriate, in the provision of high quality services to our clients. THI has conducted more than 170 healthcare projects in 39 countries around the world.

THI is a subsidiary of Trinity Health, a faith-based organization devoted to a ministry of healing in the communities it serves. The country's fourth-largest Catholic health system, Trinity Health serves persons through its network of hospitals, long-term care facilities, home care and hospice programs, senior living communities, physician offices, and other health care services. The sponsor of Trinity Health is Catholic Health Ministries, created by the Sisters of Mercy Regional Community of Detroit and the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross. Drawing upon a rich history extending more than 140 years, Catholic Health Ministries oversees the system's responsibilities as they relate to fulfilling the healing ministry of the Catholic Church.

More than just providing financial contributions, numerous healthcare professionals and executives associated with the Saint Joseph Mercy Health System (a member of Trinity Health) have donated countless hours of their time to our programs in Sri Lanka, since 2003, and even more so in response to the tsunami of December 26.

On behalf of VeAhavta, the children of Grace Home and the elders of Mercy Home at our Grace Care Center in Trincomalee, and all of our other brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka who have benefited from the love and generosity of THI, Trinity Health, their employees and associates, we extend our very special thanks to these wonderful healthcare organizations and healthcare professionals for their tremendous generosity. Thank you so much. Your kindness will have a profound and lasting impact on the lives of thousands of people.

Grace Home Children Host Ice Cream Social for Children of Two Other Orphanages in the Midst of Religious and Ethnic Tension in Trincomalee
(Posted: June 9, 2005, 12:45 p.m., PDT)

Those following the news reports from Sri Lanka are aware of the recent tension and violence in Trincomalee stemming from the controversial placement of a Buddha statue near the central bus station in the downtown area. Since the statue was erected on May 17, 2005, the lives of the residents of Trincomalee town and surrounding areas have been disrupted by religious and ethnic violence, frequent hartals and curfews.

The tension and violence continued during the week before Mercy Home was opened on May 28, but it was not enough to disrupt previously made plans to host an ice cream social at the Grace Care Center on the afternoon of Friday, May 27, for the children of Sivananda Thapovanam orphanage and Rawatha orphanage, both of which are located in Trincomalee.

Sivananda Thapovanam is a Hindu orphanage located less than a mile from the Grace Care Center. Rawatha is an orphanage for Singhalese Buddhist children also located close to the Care Center.

And so - notwithstanding the localized ethnic and religious tension - on the afternoon of May 27, the Grace Home children played host to approximately 80 children from Sivananda Thapovanam and another 20 children from Rawatha. For over two hours this diverse group of children had a chance to just have some fun: they enjoyed cake, ice cream and sodas; sang songs together; talked; established friendships; and held hands as they toured the Grace Care Center facilities.

They also played together in The Children's Park near the sign that memorializes the Park's opening and dedication - a sign which reads, "True peace allows children the freedom to be children."

Free from the religious and ethnic tensions imposed upon them by adults, these wonderful children had the freedom to be children, and they used their freedom to begin to develop loving friendships with each other. May we all learn from their example!

Children of Grace Home, Sivananda Thapovanam and Rawatha during ice cream social on May 27

New Photographs of Mercy Home and Grace Vocational Training Center Dormitory
(Posted: June 6, 2005, 11:30 a.m., PDT)

Below are new photographs of the completed Mercy Home and the Grace Vocational Training Center dormitory. Both facilities were officially opened on May 28, 2005.

Photographs of Mercy Home and the Grace Vocational Training Center dormitory. Clockwise from top left: panoramic shot of Mercy Home; close up of the front entrance to Mercy Home; view inside the Grace VTC dormitory; panoramic shot of the dormitory.

Construction of Parapet Wall Around Sivananda Thapovanam Orphanage Well Under Way
(Posted: June 6, 2005, 11:30 a.m., PDT)

We are pleased to announce that the construction of a parapet wall surrounding the property at the Sivananda Thapovanam orphanage in Trincomalee is proceeding well. The funds to reconstruct the wall were provided through an emergency grant from VeAhavta.

Sivananda Thapovanam is an orphanage located less than a mile from the Grace Care Center and is presently home to 134 children. The facility was started by H.H. Swamy Sivananda Satchidananda in 1953 and since that time has consistently provided quality care for thousands of orphan children. The orphanage sits on approximately 11 acres (mostly rice paddies), is governed by an 8-member Board of Trustees and is managed on-site by Mr. K. Vinayagasothy. Shortly after the tsunami, VeAhavta was contacted by a donor in Pennsylvania and asked for help to rebuild the wall, which was almost completed destroyed by the tsunami. The wall is important for the protection of the children living at the orphanage.

Photographs of construction progress at Sivananda Thapovanam orphanage in Trincomalee

63 Students Graduate From Grace Vocational Training Center on May 28
(Posted: June 2, 2005, 1:45 p.m., PDT)

We are proud to announce that 63 students - the largest class yet - graduated from the Grace Vocational Training Center in Trincomalee on May 28. Certificates were handed out to all graduates by VeAhavta President Eric Parkinson during a special ceremony conducted during the Mercy Home opening ceremony.

Our heartiest congratulations to all of our Grace VTC graduates! And our special thanks to the Grace VTC staff for being such dedicated and outstanding instructors. Thank you for your dedication to excellence!

Fourth Graders From Burns Park Elementary School, Ann Arbor Michigan, Raise $98.73 for Tsunami Relief
(Posted: June 2, 2005, 1:45 p.m., PDT)

We are very pleased to announce that the fourth grade class of Burns Park Elementary School in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has donated $98.73 toward VeAhavta's tsunami relief programs.

The fourth graders raised the funds by holding a "pet rock fundraiser" at the school. A percentage of the proceeds from the sale were earmarked for VeAhavta's tsunami relief efforts.

Our special thanks to the fourth graders of Burns Park Elementary School and to their teacher, Marie Wall, for all of their hard work and generosity. Thank you for your wonderful example of how to "love without borders."

Left: card made by fourth grade class of Burns Park Elementary School; right: "pet rock" sale

Mercy Home and Grace Vocational Training Center Dormitory Open in Trincomalee
(Posted: June 2, 2005, 11:15 a.m., PDT)

VeAhavta's newest facilities - Mercy Home and the Grace Vocational Training Center dormitory - were officially opened and dedicated during a ribbon cutting ceremony conducted in Trincomalee on Saturday, May 28.

The ceremony, which was attended by approximately 500 people, began with a welcome from Rev. Jeyanesan, followed by words of greeting offered by clergy from each of the major religions in Sri Lanka.

After the new facilities were declared open, both buildings were then dedicated by Rev. J. Navendranukulan, the Church of South India Moderator's Commissary. Speeches were then offered by Rev. S. Jeyanesan and Dr. Cheryl Huckins, the Mercy Home Chief Medical Officer. The main address, which can be read here (pdf or html), was offered by Eric Parkinson, the president of VeAhavta. (Please note that the main address reflects the views and opinions of Eric Parkinson and not necessarily the views and opinions of the organization VeAhavta. We welcome the diversity of opinions and observations of all volunteers.)

The Grace Home children composed a beautiful new song which they sang during the opening ceremony.

The ceremony ended with a vote of thanks that was offered by Rev. Milton Solaman of the Church of South India.

The Grace Vocational Training Center dormitory will house 48 students as well as staff and contains a kitchen and a dining room/study hall. The dormitory is for students from out of the Trincomalee area.

Mercy Home is a nursing home facility for 82 destitute seniors. Admission is available to anyone over age 55 that is genuinely destitute. Preference is given to the disabled, but there will be no discrimination based on race or religion.

Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has helped make the dream of Mercy Home into a reality, especially Rev. Jeyanesan; Rev. Gnanapragasam and the rest of the staff of the Grace Care Center; Mr. Rajendra, the gifted engineer who designed the Mercy Home and VTC dormitory buildings; Mr. Fernando, the general contractor who worked so tirelessly to construct the buildings; Dr. Cheryl Huckins, the Mercy Home Chief Medical Officer, whose knowledge, professionalism and leadership were invaluable; Dr. Gina Amalfitano; Dr. Justin Yax; Patricia Williams and Trinity Health International; and to all of our other donors and supporters. Thank you all for your efforts!

Photographs from the Opening Ceremony for Mercy Home and the Grace Vocational Training Center dormitory. Clockwise from top left: Rev. Jeyanesan, Dr. Cheryl Huckins and Eric Parkinson inspect the new plaque in front of Mercy Home; Rev. Jeyanesan addresses the audience; Rev. J. Navendranukulan, CSI Moderator's Commissary dedicating the Grace VTC dormitory; Eric Parkinson cuts the ribbon to the Grace VTC dormitory.

VeAhavta Initiates "Grace Honor Society" Program for Grace Home Children
(Posted: June 2, 2005, 11:15 a.m., PDT)

VeAhavta has initiated a new program for the Grace Home children called the "Grace Honor Society."

The Grace Honor Society is an award program that recognizes good character and achievement among the children of Grace Home. It is the highest award that VeAhavta will bestow on any of our children at the Grace Care Center.

Membership in the Grace Honor Society will be extended to those children who demonstrate that they have developed within themselves the following seven virtues: (1) kindness to others; (2) respect for self and others, including persons of different races and religions; (3) leadership; (4) achievement whether in academics, vocational training, sports, dance, singing or other fine arts; (5) purity in body, thought, word and in deed; (6) honesty; and (7) love, the highest virtue which holds all others together and makes the other virtues shine all the more.

Recipients of the award will be given a certificate and a special pair of sapphire earrings. Each earring contains 7 small sapphire stones - one on top surrounded by six - to symbolize the seven virtues described above. Our hope is that each child will be a member of the Grace Honor Society by the time she is old enough to leave Grace Home.

Membership in the Grace Honor Society was extended to 4 of our Grace Home children during a special ceremony conducted by VeAhavta President Eric Parkinson during the Mercy Home opening on May 28. The children who received the award were: Dinesha Thevasagayam, Dinushiya Sutharshrini, Mehala Mylvanganam and Tharmini Punyamoorthi. All of these children consistently demonstrated that they possessed the virtues that are required to become members of the Grace Honor Society. Dinesha, Mehala and Tharmini recently based their basic level examinations in school, examinations that may eventually lead to college admission. Dinushiya previously passed her basic examination and will be sitting for her advanced examination beginning on June 5.

Our warmest congratulations go to Dinesha, Dinushiya, Mehala and Tharmini for their excellence. If you are the sponsors of these wonderful children, you should be very proud of them!

Wesley Pre School Fete - Cornwall England Hold a Special Event and Raise £500 for the Children of the Grace Care Center
(Posted: May 19, 2005, 11:00 p.m., PDT)

We just received the following email a couple days ago and I must admit it is difficult to find words to describe just how beautiful it is to continue receiving these kinds of reports. Our special thanks to all the children, staff, and families from the community of Wesley Pre School Fete - Cornwall England for all of their hard work and tremendous example of "love without borders." On behalf of all of us here and especially all of our dear ones in Sri Lanka: Thank you for sharing your "love without borders"!" Attached is a photograph of some of the Pre School children that got involved in the fete and sponsored bounce (on a child's trampoline). ...Our Children (all under 3 yrs.) started the fun on Friday 11th March with a sponsored bounce or slide for the under 2 yrs. And then on Saturday a big crowd from the village turned up at the Indian Queens Victory Halls for our Fete. Entertainment was provided by Indian Queens brass band and pre school parents and members of the Wesley Chapel baked delicious cakes for sale. We also sold toys that the children donated. There was a raffle with prizes provided by local businesses.The fete was a great success due to the tremendous voluntary help from the families of Indian Queens and generous public support. We raised in excess of £500 which I shall send to you via your web site - dividing it between the orphanage and the Day care facilities. The children thoroughly enjoyed taking part in this fund raising event and I hope we can keep in touch.

Central Elementary School, Belmont California, Raises $1,993.46 for Tsunami Relief
(Posted: May 16, 2005, 4:30 p.m., PDT)

Once again, the faith of children inspires hope...

We are pleased to announce that Central Elementary School, of Belmont California, has raised and donated $1,993.46 for VeAhavta's tsunami relief programs.

Our special thanks to the students, teachers and staff of Central Elementary School for their kindness and generosity toward our neighbors in Sri Lanka! Great job everyone!

Montessori Children's School, San Luis Obispo, Donates $2,100 for Tsunami Relief
(Posted: May 16, 2005, 4:00 p.m., PDT)

We are very pleased to announce that the "Montessori Children's School" of San Luis Obispo, California, has donated $2,100 toward VeAhavta's tsunami relief programs.

The funds were raised by the school through a variety of different activities.

Our special thanks to the children and staff of Montessori Children's School, especially Ms. Shauna Roberts, for all of their hard work and their tremendous generosity. Thank you for your wonderful example of how to "love without borders."

Rev. Jeyanesan Issues Eighth Report Regarding Tsunami Disaster & Relief Efforts
(Posted: May 16, 2005, 2:00 p.m., PDT)

Rev. Jeyanesan has authored an eighth report summarizing the tsunami disaster and the relief efforts conducted so far. You may view the report here in either HTML or in PDF format (requires Adobe® Acrobat® Reader®).

VeAhavta Volunteers Website Forum Is On-Line
(Posted: May 6, 2005, 2:30 p.m., PDT)

The new forum for VeAhavta volunteers is now up and running and may be accessed from among the main menu selections on the left.

All people thinking about volunteering this summer at the Grace Care Center in Sri Lanka should enter the forum and read the posts on it as soon as possible to obtain the latest information about the two trips that are planned.

VeAhavta Website Forum Coming Soon
(Posted: April 22, 2005, 11:00 a.m., PDT)

Some major changes are going to be made to the VeAhavta website very soon.
The biggest change will be the addition of an advanced website forum that will allow us to post information regarding upcoming trips to Sri Lanka, including the trips being scheduled for this summer, and will allow volunteers to share information and coordinate volunteer activities. The forum will help us coordinate our relief efforts and will help eliminate redundancy in communications. We hope to have the forum up and running by early next week, so please stay tuned.

If you have any suggestions as to how we can improve the website, please drop us an email and let us know your thoughts. Thank you.

Spaghetti Dinner & Auction to be Held in South Lyon, Michigan, for Benefit of Grace Care Center
(Posted: April 15, 2005, 12:30 p.m., PST)

VeAhavta volunteers from South Lyon, Michigan, have organized a spaghetti dinner and auction as a fundraising event for the Grace Care Center in Trincomalee. The event will take place on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 at the historic South Lyon Hotel, located at 201 North Lafayette, South Lyon, Michigan. The dinner will start at 5:00 p.m., after which the auction will commence at approximately 7:00 p.m. You can see the poster that VeAhavta volunteer Jim Mitchell designed for the event here (requires Adobe® Acrobat® Reader®).

Items to be auctioned include garments hand-made by the children of the Grace Vocational Training Center in Trincomalee.

Our special thanks to Jim Mitchell and Cliff Holbeck who have worked so hard to plan the event, and to all of our other volunteers in South Lyon and in Ann Arbor for helping to raise awareness of the conditions in Sri Lanka. Thank you for your hard work, generosity and kindness to our children!

Rev. Jeyanesan Issues Seventh Report Regarding Tsunami Disaster & Relief Efforts
(Posted: April 14, 2005, 11:00 a.m., PST)

Rev. Jeyanesan has authored a seventh report summarizing the tsunami disaster and the relief efforts conducted so far. You may view the report here in either HTML or in PDF format (requires Adobe® Acrobat® Reader®).

Cub Scouts of San Luis Obispo, California, Raise $750 for Tsunami Relief
(Posted: April 14, 2005, 10:00 a.m., PST)

We are very pleased to report that the Cub Scouts of Pack 7 at Sinsheimer Elementary School in San Luis Obispo, California, have raised $750 for VeAhavta's tsunami relief programs.

The boys of Pack 7, whose ages range from 6 to 11, conduct a cake auction as an annual fundraising event. The cakes are all designed and decorated by the boys and some are even baked by them. When they heard about the disaster resulting from the tsunami, they wanted to be able to help in some way. So, the leadership decided to donate the proceeds from the auction to VeAhavta's tsunami relief programs. The amount donated is due to the generosity of those who attended the auction and, of course, the efforts of the boys. Lisa Gould-Lewis, a VeAhavta volunteer and one of the leaders of Pack 7, had this to say about the donation: "We hope that the funds will be of help in restoring the surroundings for the children and will help to bring joy to their lives."

On behalf of the children of the Grace Care Center and all others who are receiving assistance from our tsunami relief programs, we offer a very special thank you to the boys and the leaders of Cub Scout Pack 7. Part of the Cub Scout Promise, which every Scout knows by heart, is to "do [your] best...to help other people." You are certainly living up to your promise. Your love and kindness toward others exemplifies the highest standards of the Cub Scouts and will help bring hope to our children in Sri Lanka. Thank you!

The Cub Scouts of Pack 7, San Luis Obispo, California, and their extraordinary cakes

Two Children from Canton, Michigan, Raise $266 for Tsunami Relief
(Posted: April 13, 2005, 9:30 a.m., PST)

With quiet confidence and bold action, children from all over the United States continue to give from the heart.

When the tsunami struck Sri Lanka, Ashleigh Morton and her cousin Amanda Morton (ages 9 and 11, respectively) of Canton, Michigan, wanted to do something to help in some way. So, during their Christmas break, they made magnets that said "America Cares" and sold them raising a total of $266 for tsunami relief.

How did Ashleigh and Amanda decide to give the funds they had raised to VeAhavta? Their grandmother Kay explains in an email sent to VeAhavta volunteer Renee Anders: "We had been praying about where to send the money about the time you sent the email. When I went to the computer to check the mail, there was the info you sent about VeAhavta, thus the answer to our prayers. God works in wonderful ways."

On behalf of our neighbors in Sri Lanka, thank you Ashleigh and Amanda for your kindness and your wonderful example of how to love without borders.

Left to right: Ashleigh Morton (age 9) and her cousin Amanda Morton (age 11)

More Volunteers from Ann Arbor, Michigan, Travel to Sri Lanka to Provide Assistance at the Grace Care Center
(Posted: April 12, 2005, 2:30 p.m., PST)

Three new volunteers are now in Sri Lanka to provide assistance with our programs at the Grace Care Center. The volunteers are Dr. Doug Edema, Mr. Dave Raymond and Mr. Ben Roxberry.

Working under the guidance of Dr. Cheryl Huckins, the Medical Director of Mercy Home, Dr. Edema and Mr. Raymond are helping to equip the new elder care facility in preparation for its opening on May 28, 2005. Mr. Roxberry is working with our local contractor, Mr. S. Fernando, to make improvements to the Grace Care Center, particularly to the children's rooms. Finally, all three volunteers will be working with and evaluating three or four other orphanages in Trincomalee in an effort to find homes for some 103 children from the Trincomalee area who were orphaned as a result of the tsunami.

The team left for Sri Lanka on April 6. Dr. Edema and Mr. Raymond will return to the United States on April 15. Mr. Roxberry will remain at the Grace Care Center until May 4; he will be joined by additional volunteers arriving on April 16.

We extend our very special thanks to these devoted volunteers for their efforts and to Dr. Naresh Gunaratnam for organizing the teams.

Our special thanks also to: Jim Mitchell, a reporter with the South Lyon Herald, for his tireless efforts on behalf of the children of Grace Home (Jim traveled to the Grace Care Center in February with the team from Michigan); Jim's editor, Sam Black, for his support of Jim's coverage of our relief efforts in Sri Lanka; and to the community of South Lyon, Michigan, which has come together to work so hard for our neighbors in Sri Lanka. Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity toward our neighbors in Sri Lanka!

VeAhavta Provides Grant for Tsunami Relief to Sivananda Thapovanam Orphanage in Trincomalee
(Posted: April 12, 2005, at 1:30 p.m., PST)

VeAhavta has provided a grant to the "Sivananda Thapovanam" orphanage in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, in the amount of $17,300 to rebuild a parapet wall around the orphanage. The wall was destroyed during the tsunami of December 26, 2004.

Sivananda Thapovanam is an orphanage located less than a mile from the Grace Care Center, and is presently home to 134 children. The facility was started by H.H. Swamy Sivananda Satchidananda in 1953 and since that time has consistently provided quality care for thousands of orphan children. The orphanage sits on approximately 11 acres (mostly rice paddies), is governed by an 8-member Board of Trustees and is managed on-site by Mr. K. Vinayagasothy.

The orphanage sustained significant damage during the tsunami, including the destruction of the parapet wall that surrounds the property, severe damage to several buildings and the loss/damage to almost all personal property, such as furniture, clothing and books. Fortunately, none of the children of Sivananda Thapovanam lost their lives during the tragedy.

Prior to the tsunami, the primary source of income for Sivananda Thapovanam was rice cultivation. Unfortunately, most of the rice crop was destroyed during the tsunami rendering the need for aid even greater.

VeAhavta President Eric Parkinson visited and evaluated the orphanage during his trip to Sri Lanka last February in response to a request for aid from a supporter of the facility who resides in the United States. He found the facility to be well-managed and the children to be happy and well provided for.

We are happy to provide assistance to our brothers and sisters at Sivananda Thapovanam! Our hope is to further assist the orphanage with a child sponsorship program similar to the one developed by VeAhavta. We will be providing periodic on-line reports as to the status of the ashram during the next several months.

The sign to Sivananda Thapovanam orphanage located in Trincomalee

Employees of Twin Cities Community Hospital, Templeton California, Donate $5,968.91 for Tsunami Relief; Funds to be Matched by Tenet Healthcare
(Posted: April 12, 2005, at 11:15 a.m., PST)

Employees of Twin Cities Community Hospital in Templeton, California, have donated and raised an astounding $5,968.91 to VeAhavta's tsunami relief efforts. The funds were raised through numerous fundraising activities that were organized by hospital employees Margie Heinen and Suellen Smith during the month of February, including a bake sale, a barbeque, sales of root beer floats, books and "Monkey Grams," a car wash and a silent auction.

With employee donations matched by the Tenet Healthcare Foundation through its "Matching Gift Program," the total amount