Training health-care workers, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.

email from gunsie

> Greetings,
> Three decades of war left many families
> devastated in the north and east of Sri Lanka. Many families
> lost their head of the household. As they soon found it
> difficult to provide for the needs of the home, many mothers
> and even young girls became the breadwinners of the family.
> When its members are faced with such challenge, some
> communities consider it their duty or responsibility to help
> people rebuild their lives and restore their independence
> and self-sufficiency. One way to empower people is  through
> livelihood assistance and vocational training
> programs.
> In one such effort, Manitha Neyam Trust along
> with the Institute of Medical Science developed a Healthcare
> Assistant (Nurse Aid) training program at the Manipay Green
> Memorial Hospital. Thirty girls from the North and East of
> Sri Lanka enrolled in this one year training
> program.
> As part of their program, the students spent time
> working with the residents of our Siva Poomi Elderly Home.
> Early this year, when I was in Sri Lanka, I was able witness
> the love and care the students provide to our Elders at the
> home. I took the opportunity to provide encouragement to
> these students for the noble work they are
> undertaking.
> Today, I am happy to inform you that all 30
> students who participated in the program completed the
> course, and all of them obtained employment in the
> Healthcare industry in the North and East of Sri Lanka.
> After such a successful first program, a second batch of
> students has been admitted and begun the Healthcare
> Assistant training program. We
> congratulate Manitha Neyam Trust and its UK branch who fully
> sponsored the training program, and Dr. Surendra Kumar and
> the Institute of Medical Science for training these
> students. Herewith, I am enclosing few photos of the
> students working with the elderly at our home, and a group
> photo of the students.
> On a Sad note: Among the attached photos
> is a picture of Mrs. Rajeswari Ramalingam being helped to
> walk by one of the students. At age 103, Mrs. Ramalingam was
> the oldest resident at our Elderly Home. Unfortunately, she
> passed away last Monday at the Siva Poomi Home. She was a
> joyous person and an inspiration to many;  we will miss
> this wonderful soul.
> In Peace,
> Rishi Thondunathan

>