Archive - Tsunami Aid to Sri Lanka

It has been a while since we wrote you about our work in Sri Lanka. I am sure most of you were following the news from that beautiful country. The civil war is finally over. But it has left about 300,000 people homeless in a military camps awaiting resettlement. There are thousands of children who are suffering from malnutrition, not receiving proper education, and living conditions are unacceptable by anyone’s standards. We don’t know how long it will take to resettle these people. However our obligation to help the Tsunami children is our main focus. We (Americans) often do that very well without any questions. Our nation is the leading country in the world to step forward to help the rest of the world. At this moment our job is not done.

We realize that our economic situation, like many others in this world, has taken a big hit. Most of us have the means to continue our lives in some comfort. However we (BOP) are one of the few organizations who are there to ensure that they (Tsunami Children) are being properly cared for.

On behalf of all of our children in Sri- Lanka and the board of directors I would like to wish you, your family, friends and loved ones a love-filled Thanks giving. We have been blessed in so many ways and we are grateful for every single aspect of our lives.

Recently we were in Canada, our neighbors and a modern country, we saw that many people are experiencing hardship and struggle in their daily lives. Prior to that I was in the Gulf coast area and they too are suffering from the devastation of Katrina and trying to rebuild and recover.

I will be travelling to Sri-Lanka within a few weeks to visit our children and bring some comfort and reassurance to them at the time of the fourth anniversary of the Tsunami. They too will be grateful for the many blessings that you have bestowed on them. Without your dedicated and continuous support, we could not help provide them with meals and a safe place to sleep. Without any doubt, I am sure that the children are appreciative of all the things you have done for the past four years to protect them from all harm and to keep them safe and alive.

Please imagine that if this great nation is still struggling to rebuild the Gulf coast areas, how a tiny third world country, plagued with internal struggle, and war, could deal with the utter devastation of the tsunami?

As you celebrate the day of Thanksgiving, please keep our children in mind. We thankful that you are giving us the opportunity to do some good work for the needy children.

Hope you and your loved ones are enjoying the summer. It has been a while since we have made any report. Every time when we plan to write, the situation on the ground in the area where we are housing our children keeps changing. The shadow war is still going on and killing and disappearance are on the same level as before. The political situation has not changed much, but the key players have changed. As you know, our primary concern is to care for the safety and well being of the orphans. In the meantime we are equally concerned about our volunteers, the few paid workers’ safety and wellbeing. During this period, one of our workers was deliberately injured and is currently recovering in the hospital. In another city where we work, one of the Catholic priests was shot and killed. These two incidents have had a chilling impact on our staff and in our heart.

As we experience the high fuel prices for fuel, food and other essentials in this country, just multiply that by three to four times in the eastern part of Sri Lanka. It is having a direct impact on our ability to continue our operations.

Most people in this country have forgotten the tsunami, Pakistan earthquake, Katrina, Myanmar cyclone devastation and Chinese flood and earthquake. We are constantly faced with some disaster somewhere in the world of a severe magnitude and the whole world looks at United States for relief. We are also facing many disasters in this country and needs are all around us. With all the competing demands, you have been very generous supporting our children in Sri Lanka.

We received a $2000.00 grant from Jayme’s Fund from New Hampshire. Jayme was a very gifted young student who devoted her time and energy to improve the social justice system all around us. She initiated several projects and met with several Congressmen and Senators to press this passionate cause of hers with them. Unfortunately she was taken away from us at the tender age of 16. Please remember her and her lovely family by visiting her site at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

We had another unexpected surprise from the St Ann’s Catholic school in Fayetteville, NC. One of the teachers, Mrs. Marilia Gannon suggested that the children do a charity event this year to help the tsunami orphans. Amazingly the children took up the cause and took pledges to jump rope to earn money. To every one’s surprise they were able to raise an amazing $1600.00 for this cause. This is the largest amount they have raised for any charitable cause and this is the largest amount any school has raised for us thus far. We are very pleased to thank all the children at St. Ann’s school and express our appreciation to all the parents, teachers and mainly to Mrs. Gannon for thinking of our children far away from their school.

On a sad note, at the writing of this letter, I received two visitors who came to inform me that our major donor and our patron are experiencing some medical problems and they will not be able to support us. That is not the kind of news one would like to receive. They have been so generous not only to us, but many in our area. They are truly a blessing to our children since the tsunami and they stood by us and supported us during all this time. I am very saddened to hear that they are affected by ill health and unable to deal with the daily chores. I kindly request that all of you keep the Deering family in your thoughts and prayers.

I am attaching the letter we sent to our operations director in Sri Lanka, Rev. Fr. Annadas informing him that we have to cut some of the services we are providing to the children affected by the tsunami. In addition, we have to discontinue the Sunday school program, English language training and computer operator training. We will try to find funding to feed and house the children.

Our donations are not keeping pace with our expenses in caring for the children. I know you have made a pledge to support our cause and we are counting on you to continue supporting us. There are more than 250 children depending on us for their daily meals and a place to sleep without being harmed. Your generosity has been the only life line they have. In addition, some of our donors have designated donations for education programs, Sunday school luncheon programs, computer training program and to help build and or renovate some of the houses for the poorest in the eastern coastal areas. The demand is so high and we can do only as much as you are willing to help us do. We are your instrument and our commitment to you is to do the things you want us to do. We are very pleased to inform you that our children are being protected with the Grace of God. We will continue to do our very best to protect, feed, house and provide basic schooling for these children. For which end, we rely on your financial support and many prayers.

Therefore, we would like to remind you to send in your donation now in order for us to prioritize our operations. Our primary mission is to feed and care for the tsunami orphans. Your help is their hope.

Once again, our sincere thanks for your continued support. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

It has been along time since we reported on the situation in Sri-Lanka and how are our children doing. We are blessed to have all of our children safe and out of harms way. As you know, our primary concern is to care for their safety and well being. In the meantime we are equally concerned about our volunteers, the few paid workers’ safety and well being. During this period, one of our workers was deliberately injured and is currently recovering in the hospital. In another city where we work, one of the Christian priests was shot and killed. These two incidents have a chilling impact on our staff and in our heart.

We are lucky to have received some generous donations at the end of the year. We thank all of the donors. We are required to issue a receipt if the donation is $250.00 or more. In case you have not received a receipt from us, please inform us and we will get that to you prior to the tax filing date. We apologize for any inconvenience.

The US Postal system has granted us a non profit mailing permit. It will help in our mailing cost. We thank former Vass postmistress for helping us in this process. We also would like to reassure all the members that We DO NOT sell or share any information about our donors with anyone for any reason. No exception. If you have made a donation of more than $25,000.00 we are required to inform the IRS of your name and the total amount received during the same year. This is part of the anti terrorism requirement.

Therefore, we kindly would like to remind you to send in your donation now in order for us to prioritize our operations. Our primary mission is to feed and care for the tsunami orphans.

We are very pleased to inform you that our children are being protected with the Grace of God. We will continue to do our very best to protect, feed, house and provide basic schooling. For which end, we rely on your financial support and many prayers offered by many of you.

Once again, our sincere thanks for your continued support. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Merry Christmas from Brothers of the Poor - Tsunami aid to Sri-Lanka

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Dear Friends, Donors and supporters,

We join these children in wishing you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. We pray that God's love be with you, that nature treats you kindly, that your health be good and your heart be filled with joy and love.

Children at Sunday School
supported by the BOP

BOP making a donation to Ozman Center Orphanage

May God Bless you and keep you safe in the palm of His hand

We thank you for your continued support of our service to these children.

Sorry that we have to send an email greeting. Maybe in the coming year we will be in a better situation to send real cards and greetings.

Love

Pius
Pius Gabriel
Brothers of the Poor - Tsunami aid to Sri-Lanka
910-245-1999

We wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving. We are thankful for so much good fortune and so many blessings. But one of the most important blessings is having you as our friend and supporter in our pledge to help some children in Sri-Lanka. Because of your continued support, those children in our care have a safe place to live and food to eat.

As you will be enjoying your day with your family and friends on this Thanksgiving Day, be proud that you have made an impact on some children on the other side of the globe.

May God bless you and your family

We would like to inform you that all of our children are fairly well. During the past several months, they have had difficult times receiving their daily food supply due to the ongoing war. No one was allowed to travel for days and that prohibited the workers from going out to bring the daily supplies they need to feed and care for the children. There were days they had only bread and water for meals.

However, they are all alive and well and things are getting better given the current situation.

We have been exploring all the avenues to obtain sufficient funding to buy land and build our own facilities to accommodate all the children in one location. Thus far we have not identified any source of funding for that project.

There are two organizations that have expressed some interest in helping us in the coming years. They are namely, Jayme’s Fund and Share the Blessing. We have presented them with our needs and are waiting to hear from them.

We are eternally thankful for our patron supporter, Deering Foundation, Gail and Joseph Deering for their generous donation. Our children are alive mainly because of the Deering’s support.

We are planning our annual visit to spend the Tsunami anniversary with our children and the Director of the Jayme’s fund also planning to accompany us in the visit. This will give us an opportunity to show and tell about our work to another wonderful organization which is doing amazing things in this country.

Our operations Director, Rev. Fr. Annadas has been assigned as a parish Priest and his time will be limited to more urgent matters; the daily routine will be managed by his assistant. However, Fr. Annadas will be controlling all the budgetary issues on the other end. In addition, we have asked him to identify the land for acquisition and plan for a building. In the event we receive some funds miraculously, we will be ahead of the game to execute the program without any delays.

We are in the process of executing a program patented after the World Vision program; we will initiate our own “30 hours fasting for a child”. Each person will contact 12 other people to pledge 30 dollars per person and the person who collects the funds fast for 30 hours. At the end of 30 hours, the person who fasted should receive from the pledges a total of 360.00 We hope this action will raise sufficient funds so the children don’t have to go hungry. If you are interested in taking part in this event, please sign up at our site or at the Face book site by clicking the link below. http://www.facebook.com/n/?group.php&gid=5584466452 Please note that in order for this link to work, one must be a registered member on the Face book site.

As I was writing this update I received an email from Fr. Annadas, our Operations Director in Sri-Lanka. I have extracted part of the request to show you the types of need they are facing. He states “The programs of the Brothers of the Poor is going on without any interruption. Last week I went to meet the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity in Trincomalee. I also paid their monthly assistance till December 2007. The sisters asked me to convey their kind regards to you and to your family. The also promised that they would continue to pray daily for you all.

I have enclosed the accounts from August to December 2007. This is just to tell you the present financial position.

I also forwarded some requests to a few months ago. You asked me to hold on for some time since there was financial constraints. I just want to remind you once again the present urgent needs.

1) I have two preschools. We have two teachers in each school. The teachers get a very low salary. If Brothers of the Poor could just give rupees Thousand for each teacher every month they would be grateful to you. They get a very low income because the parents of the students are daily wage earners and financially very very poor. If you accept to pay you may have to pay rupees Four Thousand (40 Us $) a month for four teachers.

2) Buns for the Catechism children : Every week we get about 250-300 children for Sunday Catechism. They come here in the morning without having their breakfast. Each Bun costs about Ten rupees. (10 Cents US). Every week we need about rupees 2500( 25Us $) for a month we need rupees Ten Thousand (100 US$).

3) This time when I met the Bishop I just briefed him about the work of the Brothers of the Poor. He also requested me continue I possible the housing project for the poorest of the poor.

In the area where I work there are so many families living under Cadjan sheds and huts. [thatched roof huts] The rainy season is going to begin. We need at least rupees twenty Five Thousand ( 250US $)to give these families some Cadjans and Poles. If you are not able to help to build permanent houses Is there any possibility to help these poor families who are living under he Cadjan sheds by giving Cadjans and poles or Tin Sheets before the rainy reason.

My dear friends, as you can see our work will never end. The need is so great and the suffering is unimaginable, but the question is which is the most urgent need. Please do the best to help us by making a donation on a monthly, quarterly or on annual basis so we can count on your valued assistance to promise these poor people and keep our word.