|
|
|
  |
| Sunday, 6 March 2005 |
 |
|
 |
News |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
German social work organization provides aid for children by Chanuka Mannapperuma 'Sunil's Friends', a German funded Non-Governmental Organisation which has come forward to provide assistance to give a new lease of life to the orphaned children. Explaining about the organisation, Chairperson and Country Manager, Sylvia Lizzy Merkle said, their mission is to give under-privileged children in Sri Lanka a better life, regardless of their religion or ethical background. "We want to give them a better education and a better perspective in life," she added. 'Sunil's Friends' was started in 1996, having registered in 2004 as a Voluntary Social Work\Organisation in Sri Lanka. At present, it is operating the 'Tudawe Children's Home' which looks after the orphaned children. She said, for every child in Tudawe Children's Home, they have a sponsor from Germany. "Every month, each sponsor provides Rs. 37,000 for a child's education and other needs. Part of this money will be collected and given to the child when he/she reaches 18 years, She added. Merkle said, at present eight volunteers are working with them. "At the moment they are working for 'Tudawe Children's Home', in Wadduwa, Sri Lanka where there are 40 girls." "Upto now they have done renovations for the children's home, building new bathrooms, construction of a two-storey building in order to accommodate 28 more children". Sunil's Friends is also implementing a sponsorship program for all 40 children living in the house."Under this sponsorship program, fees for tuition classes (mainly English and computer classes) are also covered". While explaining the assistance provided to tsunami victims, she said their organisation has sent aid amounting to Rs. 5,250,000. "In addition, we have given relief aid to several camps in the South and East of Sri Lanka. We gave 2,800 school bags for tsunami affected pupils, which were distributed to 6 schools in the South-West Coast under the supervision of each school principal", she added. She said another 35 Germans are willing to help more children. "These are direct sponsorships but our organisation needs more volunteers to handle those humanitarian work." Referring to organisation's future plans, Merkle said, they also hope to build a children's ward in Hambantota Hospital. Besides, a Day Care Centre is to be opened in Kirinda village which was affected by floods in 2003. |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
