Thanks to a donation from Mr Peter Blumenstein we were able to start internal work on the upstairs of the large main building, we now have two rooms completed, which means once we have the necessary items, we can start our Housekeeping Training Programme. Many young girls lack the luxury of formal education due to the war here in Sri Lanka, and cannot find work because of it. Our aim is to run a six month live-in course for these girls, many of them without homes, so that they may find positions in households either in Colombo or overseas. Again, the Rotary Club of Windermere have voiced their interest in helping provide all the necessary equipment to start this project. At the end of the course the girls will receive a Certificate of Competence and should they prefer to work overseas they will be contacted regularly by a member of staff in our Hopes and Dreams Village to ensure they are safe and happy. Early in the year Dhemmi and Khalli moved into their new house in our Hopes and Dreams Village, thanks to Pili in Gibraltar. Khalli was working as a nurse in the Lebanon where Dhemmi was born. The two were close to a chemical bomb explosion and Dhemmi breathed in the chemical fumes, shortly after she had a grand mal fit which resulted in severe brain damage. During the year we also gave refuge to Jayanthe, a polio victim who lost her hut during a severe Typhoon here. At present Jayanthe is living in our Office Training room but we do pray that we can raise enough funds to build her a house, albeit it only a bedsit. We are renting a nearby house for Sisira. Sisira managed to escape the Tsunami with his wife and two chil- dren, they managed to get to a local temple which became a refugee camp. The family were given a one ring burner which, when lit, blew up in Sisira’s face … his face and neck were badly burned, but when his children came running from behind to help, Sisira put his hands over the flames … his hands were severely burned so much so that his fingers were moulded together … Manacare facilitated surgery to separate his fingers al- though they are still very bent. Whilst in the operating theatre in Colombo Sisira’s wife had a heart attack and died. Jagath still lives in one of our newly built houses, Jagath was found on the roadside … a cerebral palsy sufferer we gave him a house, whilst in one of our Therapy Sessions he met Peranthi and they asked permission to marry … they live very happily together now and are very much part of our little community Many of you may remember Newan who at the age of 12 jumped in a mound of burning rice husks … his legs were burnt down to the bone and he was minutes away from having both legs amputated. Amy saved that situation and raised funds for surgery. Newan has been with us now for four years and has grown into a very capable young man, he plays cricket and helps around the Village. Our latest venture together with the ladies of Inner Wheel, and with the Rotary Club of Upminster in Essex, is to help the young girls who have been raped by soldiers and had babies. Their babies were of course breast fed initially but at the age of three years needed more substantial food … the girls having had no training, many of them ceasing education too resorted to stealing, hence ending up in prison. Manacare gained permission from the Minister of Reform to run six month training courses for these girls, teaching them to use sewing machines and to make items that will enable them to earn money upon their release. I feel honoured to have met Mo and Dhylan from Scotland this year who introduced me to a young man whom they have been sponsoring for many years. Nilantha suffers with cerebral palsy and was placed on an orphan- age step when he was just a few days old. He is now 15 years old and as the orphanage is only for babies and children up to the age of 5 years, he desperately needs somewhere to move onto, there just isn’t any provision for this type of need. Manacare has found a lovely young couple who would move in with Nilantha. Mo and Dhylan have 5,000 pounds to build a house for them all … we need to raise another 2,000 to fulfill this need, but we are sure that all concerned will benefit enormously from being part of our Hopes and Dreams Family. A visit from Gillian Anderson of X file fame this year, Sir Cliff Richards last year … who’s next Well from a service view this just about ends my year … there is still much work to do, not only here in Sri Lanka, but in many areas of the world. Manacare tends to move in where the larger organizations do not have a presence, but if anyone knows of an area where we could be effective I would love to hear from you. We are always looking for regular sponsors too, even 20 pounds a month makes an enormous difference. From a personal view, my family are all well … Petra and her husband Jonathan live happily in Hong Kong with their four children .. Sam, Ethan, Quinn and Isabella, they spent a month here in Sri Lanka with me dur- ing the summer. Sara and her husband Mike continue to work hard in Cheshire… Joannah having reached the age of 18 is mov- ing in her own direction and is at College in Kent, she still follows her heartfelt desire for drama and singing. Nanny, as everyone calls her, will be 93 next year and lives with me here in Sri Lanka, rather forgetful at times, telling me she went to Edmonton market yesterday !!! but otherwise well for this grand old age. I close by wishing everyone a wonderfully Peaceful and Blessed Christmastime, with the coming year holding and making clear any opportunities for you to help the world become a better place With my Love and Blessings Joy


Kahatagahawatta, Nalagasdeniya, Hikkaduwa, Southern Sri Lanka


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