The Ray of Hope Program in Polhena

On the 29th January 2005
Number of children 150 (children from 4years to 12)

The TRF (Tsunami Relief Foundation) group left Colombo at 3.00 am to reach Polhena a village near Matara at 8.00 am. On arrival we organized ourselves with the CPBR (The Centre of Peace Building and Reconciliation) volunteers comprising of the village youths. One of the aims of the TRF was to train the local teams so that once we had left they would be able to continue the workshops with the children.

The day program began at 9.30 and finished at about 5.00. The children were divided into 5 groups, each group targeting different interests for the children. All the activities were designed to help the children cope with their experiences.

The five groups consisted of drama, art, craft, clay modeling, and singing, music and dancing which were combined into one activity. The children loved all the activities and expressed themselves freely. The singing, music and dancing was a big hit with all the children. The creative activities went on until lunch time, after which the children listened to Dr. Sean who gave a simple lesson on hygiene, his use of puppets and posters made this educational and fun for all the children.

At the end of the day we set up the projector for the children to watch cartoons which they thoroughly enjoyed as most of them have lost all they had and have not been able to watch television.

At the end of the day we gave the children a gift which consisted of a box of crayons, a drawing book, a pencil, and some sweets. What really made the gift a success was the contributions from the CPBR of a school bag and a toy for each child.


Many other NGO’s have invited us to collaborate with them and carry out the ‘Ray of Hope’ full day workshops in camps all around the island.

We are looking forward to all these future projects and hope that we may continue to make a positive contribution to the lives of the Sri Lankan children.

TRF meeting – Report (2005-01-08)

We started the meeting with talking about the “Ray of hope” programme. After much discussion, we came to realize that a one day programme would be very difficult to conduct, as most of us don’t speak fluent Tamil, and also because the trip all the way to Batticaloa would require more time than we had to spare.

Due to all these problems, the programme has been postponed and we have decided to do the same one day programme in a camp closer to Colombo, somewhere we can visit with not too much difficulty, and where we won’t have a language barrier. No dates are set as yet but we will be doing this programme some time this month.

Special training on compassionate lessoning – Report

Report
First of all, much thanks is due to specialist Jeyanthi Siva, from USA, for having conducted this programme for the teams travelling to the affected areas. There was a gathering of some of the TRF members who will be visiting the affected areas. Everyone got a chance to speak about their varying experiences with the Tsunami, and in turn everyone spoke for quite a length of time, talking undisturbed about their feelings and emotions, as well as their problems in coming to terms with the disaster. Jeyanthi prompted everyone and helped them articulate themselves better. She also taught everyone how to read what people are saying, and understand what they are really saying, as opposed to what they are saying. She taught us the importance of responding to someone with empathy. We’re certain that the 3 hour workshop will prove extremely useful to us when talking to those affected by the Tsunami, but also in the future when listening to those who have something they want to express.

Ray of Hope Day

Ray of Hope Day
Dates we are targeting - 15th or 23rd January 2005

Target Location: Batticaloa

We have realized that not much work is being done for the children in the camps and affected areas. These children need more than just dry rations and handouts; they need love and people to work with them to help them get over their ordeal. We have identified their needs and have planned a day programme consisting of a variety of activities, dealing with issues like hygiene and counselling. These are important issues that need to be addressed immediately.

* Team One

To distribute goods (dry rations, bottled water etc) to outskirt areas and a doctor to treat the sick. This team will compromise of a maximum of 8 people. They will also be gathering information and stories from the people in the areas.

* Team Two

To do a day program for kids in camps and surrounding areas. This team will compromise of a maximum of 15 people. We plan on showing the kids cartoons on a projector, have arts and crafts activities, conduct a hygiene programme etc. A goody bag will also be handed out to all the children containing a box of crayons, drawing books, pens and pencils, sweets, toy.

Team One needs:

* Dry rations
* Kitchen utensils
* Bottled water
* Basic medicines
* Rubber gloves
* Towels, sheets, mats etc

Team Two needs:

* Crayons, pencils, colour pencils etc (50 of each)
* 50 Drawing books
* A4/A3 drawing paper, water colour tubs
* Clay
* 50 small toys
* Sweets, biscuits etc
* Soft drinks

This program will be for one day only, no over night stays.
Both teams will leave together early morning so that we can come back in the night, this way we can get more girls involved in the programmes.

Please let us know in which ways you can help and what your ideas and thoughts are about this programme.

** We would also appreciate the assistance of anyone who can speak Tamil **

!!! ~ EVERY LITTLE BIT COUNTS ~ !!!