Saturday, October 13, 2007
What ya gunna do with the next part of your life?
Rose Charities Canada home page Rose International home page
Long term aid from Qualicum Beach is being given to the residents of the worst hit east coast of Sri Lanka.
Orders now being taken for the book. Contact email below
As a volunteer for Poco a Poco, and Child Haven International, working with AMDA (The Asian Medical Doctors Association) Canada (via Rose Charities), and the DART regiment, I spent 70 days overseas, and before returning to Qualicum, committed to two long-standing women's groups in Sri Lanka (PPDS and Sarvodaya ) that I would assist in building at least 10 schools/womens centers in the next two years. If it takes longer, No Problem!
The book, "Tsunami Journey" one man's story from Qualicum to Kalmunai
is now available and all proceeds l go to TSUNAMI HAVEN PRE-SCHOOLS for materials, supplies and uniforms.
Four Schools have been completed, one school is under construction at the moment, and I receive phone calls from Kalmunai every two weeks regarding developments. The cost of each brick building is about $8, 000.00.
Unfortunately, while I was there, I learned from reading local English newspapers that less than 40 percent of funds from North America ever reached the people who needed it.
Meanwhile the Hindu Buddhist, Muslim, and Christian residents of the coast continue to live in plastic tents and a lot of the children attend schools in tents as well. Recently government bombing of the east coast has displaced more than 150,000 men women and children into "refugee" camps.
It will take at least 10 years for Asia to recover from the Tsunami of 12/26/04 The big question is will Sri Lanka ever recover from the conflict? Which is essential a fight between race (Singhala vrs Tamil) and homeland. Who really is entitled to live on who's historic land?
I am currently gathering names of interested dentists and dental assistants who would be willing to commit this fall or winter to a 2 or 3 week or longer visit to and operate a children's dental clinic. Other skilled volunteers wanted as well.
I can be reached at lenisinsrilanka (at) yahoo.ca
