Social Action Committee

All Saint's.Church 96, Ananda Rjakaruna Mawatha

Colombo 10.

Parish Newsletter

July 2000
We we happy to inform our dear Parishioners; that we were able to make tremendous progress in our efforts to reach out to our less fortunate brethren in order to make them fee a little happier and contended in life. A few more useful avenues were open to us to arrest our attention. In addition to the assistance given to sixteen persons, among who are three destitute mothers, two students and other deserving families, we have been able to attend to the following activities.
1, Health Awareness Programme.
During our many visits to hamlets of Wanathamulla, we were constantly reminded of the need to instill into the minds of these dwellers the value of good health. To begin with, we thought of starting at grass root level and launched this work with the "Dham Pasal" children After a brief address outlining the importance of enculcating the good health habits the two Doctors &M their assistants attended on the children some of whom ware accompanied by their parents. They were administered tablets for worm treatment, vitamin deficiencies, Calcium & Iron for mineral deficiencies Lot of attention was given on an individual lands with valuable advice on healthcare. Some: were given prescription to purchase certain drugs We gratefully acknowledged the services of the physicians and their assistants not forgetting the firms that donated the Drugs, Vitamins and Mineral Supplements. We hope to have another programme in mid - August.
2 Channeling Sponsors to Benefactors.

In addition to the continuation of this activity with which we initially started our work, we were able to investigate and identify two recipients for benefactors. They wished to make lump sum donations for career oriented study courses in the form of Scholarships to be given to needy deserving Students on completion of their G.C.E. - 0 / Level examinations. This we did with the assistance of the Principal of All Saints' Balika Vidyalaya. We constantly monitor the progress work of the recipients. We are happy to note that they have proved their worth. Also, we feel honored that these Parishioners had their confidence in us.

3. English classes for needy children.

Recognising the value of knowing the importance of the link language among the up and coming younger generation, lessons in English was started for the benefit of those who could not afford extra lessons. Our Parish Priest gave all the encouragement and his assistance. These lessons that were started with a handful of students and seven volunteers in February this year, now caters to almost 100 students. The intake has now been restricted due to the lack of volunteer teachers. space could be another inhibiting factor. We gratefully acknowledge the work done by some members of the S.V.P. and members of the Youth Fellowship in this regard, during the weekly Saturday Classes. A major break through came in the form of a sponsor who has not only offered his time, energy and expertise but has also found funds for the smooth running of this project. Through his assistance we were able to get our volunteers exposed to some form of training by a qualified Instructor. Now, the children are given special

coaching lessons in Elocution and Spoken English through the services of a qualified teacher. This in turn came through the auspices of our Sponsor. We have also been able to set up a Library with a collection of over 200 books, through the generosity of many donors, most of who were from the Youth Fellowship. Its members now effectively run this Library.

At this stage we wish to make an earnest appeal to any of our Parishioners who could devote their time on a continuous basis to help as volunteer teachers. Their work will involve about one hour of teaching on Saturday evenings between 4.30 and 6.30. We could vouch for the enormous satisfaction you may receive in this exercise of good will. Please write to us through our Parish Priest.

Our Future Programmes.

1.Health Camp for Daham Pasal children. We are making arrangements to hold another Health Camp in mid - August. This time we hope to get the assistance of Doctors in our Parish. Those who could volunteer please contact us through the Parish Priest.

2.We are also making arrangements to have an eye camp for the benefit of those elders in our Parish who cannot afford the help of a specialist. We intend getting the assistance and sponsorship of HelpAge Sri Lanka to make this project viable and effective. Here too we would envisage the kind assistance of those professionals in our Parish.

3.We look forward to increase the monthly assistance of Rs. 300/- that is now been given to destitute families to Rs.500/- per month through the kind generosity of our present and future sponsors. As mentioned in our earlier Newsletters these families can be sponsored directly or through us.

Finally we consider it our bounden duty to thank all our prishioners and others, for their words of encouragement, sponsorship of our programmes and even the words of constructive criticism leveled at us. We also Thank our Parish Priest Fr. Anthony David and his Assistant Fr. Charles	Joseph for all the valuable assistance and guidance given to us for the success of our efforts.

Nimal Dias

(Convenor) Rev. Fr. Anthony David (Parish Priest)
