Joe Neary Memorial Foundation

Current donations are being accepted for our fourth project, the St. Joseph’s Girls’ Home in Trincomalee and the following is information about this orphanage.

 

ST.  JOSEPH’S  GIRLS’  HOME DOCKYARD  ROAD TRINCOMALEE -SRI  LANKA

Superior of the Community:  Sister Shanthini, A.C.  e-mail:  mshan26@gmail.com

School Principal:  Sister Nirosha, A.C.    e-mail:  niroshaac@gmail.com

Sister-in-Charge of the Girl’s Home:  Sister Sujanthini, A.C.   

Tel: 94-026-222-2267

 

Project Description

This orphanage was established in the early 1920’s to support many needy children of this area who had little or no family support and to provide for their daily needs of nourishment, medical care and education.  More recently, during the 25-year civil war that so devastated many areas of the country, Trincomalee was an area subject to some of the terrible terrorist activities.  Although the children’s home was not directly affected physically, the children for whom this community of Carmelite Sisters care, were largely victims of the unfortunate circumstances over which they had no control.  Also, this area, being on the north east coast of the island, was severely affected by the December 2004 tsunami and, like the girl’s home in Akkaraipattu, many of the now older girls were taken in after losing family members and caregivers in this disaster.

 

At present, their funding needs to support the home are Rs.100,000 a month (approximately $770.00) and they currently receive Rs.33,500 a month ($255.00) towards this from a German organization which supports them with a donation of Rs.100,000 every three months.  While this is certainly a big help, it is not sufficient to support them and the Diocesan Bishop has now ceased providing any assistance for them, thus creating an urgent need for additional financial help.

 

There are three paid staff members at the home who are a Sister-in-Charge, a Matron and a cook.  They are paid monthly salaries of Rs.12,000, Rs.8,000 and Rs.10,000 (approx. $92, $62 and $77) respectively from a monthly salaries budget of Rs.30,000 ($230).

 

Educational studies are similar to those taught at the Girl’s Home in Akkaraipattu and include English, Math, Science and Computer Science going from Grade 5 to Grade 12.  These include the G.C.E. ‘O’ level and G.C.E. ‘A’ (Advanced) level examinations.

 

Currently there are 36 girls in the home, under the supervision of Sister Sujanthini, ranging in age from 11 to 19. A few typical examples are Ms. Nelsini Arunthavarajan (age 16), Kajanthini Varatharajan (age 15) and Dayan Pathinathan (age 12).  Nelsini was born on the west coast of Sri Lanka in Mannar in 1998 and is the 2nd child in the family.  The family was displaced and left as refugees and settled in Viddathalthivu.  She is now studying for her ‘O’ level exam.  Kajanthini was born in Mullaithevu in 1999 and came to the home in 2008 when her father was killed in the war.  Her mother manages to earn a little by sewing. Kajanthini is currently studying in Grade 10.  Dayan’s father abandoned the family and her mother works abroad to try to support her family.  She is in the 7th Grade.

 

This Community of Carmelite Sisters falls under the Sri Lankan Province, which is headquartered at the Provincial House in the Borella District of Colombo.  Sister M. Sunitha, A.C. is the Provincial Superior.

 

 

Any SKAL Club or individual interested in sending a donation for this project to The Joe Neary Memorial Foundation can send a check, preferably in U.S. dollars or Euros, payable to:

 

“Sister Marie Lourdes, A.C.”

enter “Joe Neary Foundation”  in the memo portion and mail to: