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Thursday, October 28, 2010

Orphanage in Mannar















I am doing another post today but one of a non book nature. Readers of my blog may be aware that I help out with two orphanages in Sri Lanka. One is close to Colombo but the other one is quite a distance away in the North West in an area called Mannar. The area was very badly affected by the war and even after coming close to 2 years progress in development is extremely slow. Demining is going on apace and this
has helped tremendously because nothing can be done until this is over. Life for many
children will not be the same - ever. There are thousands orphaned, many thousands who have lost one parent or a sibling and trauma untreated as led to many mental health issues.

Whilst I am in Melbourne my husband over a long holiday weekend visited the orphanage with stuff for the children as well as the nuns who run the place. I help with material support from friends of mine and co ordinate supplies as best as we can.

Just a small post on what I do apart from the reading!!

8 comments:

  1. Not long ago the women's club of our community here in Manila did an outreach to a local orphans home-as my contribution I gathered about 50 children's books in the 4 to say 8 range that my daughters have long out grown and I gave 50 kids there own books-1st ones they have ever had I am sure-some are indifferent but many clutch the books as if they are gold-

    your efforts are so commendable

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  2. It is always a good feeling when we help those less fortunate. Have wonderful of you and your husband.

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  3. What a wonderful thing you are doing....

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  4. This is a wonderful thing you are doing.

    Personally, I would be very interested in reading regular updates from the orphanages, both in general and about specific children there.

    Would you feel comfortable telling us the stories of some of the children at the orphanages. I know it sounds a little goulish, but my intentions are good. I just feel that if we can 'make it personal' through someone's true story, it can be really bring the importance of supporting such institutions home to those of us who are viewing from a distance.

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  5. Wonderful! I wish I could do something similar. I give some money regularly to similar organisations, but to do something personally and actively would really be a dream! I must give it a try!

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  6. Thanks everyone for a positive response. I was a bit reluctant to post because I do not want to push as I am soliciting money for instance. Its not that.. its just the fact that now that the war is over everyone has forgotton that these are the results of the war and in Sri Lanka the euphoria is that the war is over. It is true that that is huge - after three decades - thats a relief but there is still such a lot more to be done.

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  7. This is a lovely post, and the pictures are wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing this part of your life!

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  8. That's awesome, Mystica! I love your posts on Sri Lanka.

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