Galaboda Sunday School Children Visited Smyrna on the 24th September 2011

On the 24th of  September some of our team members were busy preparing lunch for 85 children from the Galaboda Estate  The Pastor Bernard is married to Princy who is the youngest daughter to one of our former late manager Mr.Thason Paul.Galaboda Area is situated in a tea estate, surrounded with tea bushes. they don't have bus service only train goes. To buy essential things they have to come to Nawalapitiya town 45 minutes by train.As it is private estate the employers never get work regularly. Children could not attend to school , as the parents could not provide their schooling. But these children come to the Sunday School. The pastor and his wife decided to bring this children to Nuwara Eliya  as a trip.

24th of September  the day came as planned. All the children,Youth, Sunday school teachers and some of the parents, Pastor  and his wife took first train to Nawalapitiya station, all of them  got in to the bus which booked previously. Straight away they visited Cattle farm in Ambewella, and milk foods. At about 1.30 they came to  Smyrna. They were so hungry after the long journey up to the hills. all of them were so curious when they saw the swings, merry-go-round, see saw etc.. Almost most of the children were fighting to go in the swings.At about 1.45 all of  them gathered at the school for lunch. Served with rice, chicken curry, potato curry. and papadam. After the lunch plantain and sweets were served.

There after children were explained about Smyrna and took around departments,they were so surprised to know  about the supports and how the poor children could achieve their careers.

We are so happy that we could provide with rubber slippers to 50 children, 

They are so much thankful to the Supporters whom they never seen in their lives and concerning about them by providing them with delicious lunch and slippers etc... 

Children's Day @ Smyrna Mission School - 2011

Sandeepani, Dewmini and Thasuni from the pre-school posing for a photograph.

Danush and Imesha

Boys from the Mission  School.

Theme for the Children's Day - You are Born to be a King/Queen. So, all the kids got a crown on their heads.

Samantha teacher with day care children

Mission school queens-to-be's

Day care kids having yoghurt

All the kids came in colored clothes and played the whole day to their heart's content.  All had a special meal.  I'll let the pictures do the talking and sign off for today.

By Ruth Herath

Bank of Ceylon's Visit to Mission School

  

6th of October 2011 was a remarkable day for Smyrna Mission School as Bank of Ceylon(a pioneering government bank in Sri Lanka) came to visit our kids.  

As you can see, they didn't come empty handed.  They had gifts for the kids.

The bank staff had a question & answer session and Niomi answered well and was applauded for the correct answers.

 

BOC helped us to open saving accounts for Mission School children.  We opened accounts for them with 100 rupees each.  There was a sum of 500 rupees collected by students and the rest of the  money came from money received for the school. They also gave each child a till to collect money to foster the habit of saving.

The bank staff had organized games for the children.  Here kids playing musical chairs.

The balloon bursting game.   Dushyhanthi and Punithamalar doing their best!

Our new kid on the block - Sathasivam.  Couldn't resist adding this :)

Manager of BOC Mrs.Mohanasundaram giving away gifts.

Niomi with her till and ofcourse her million-dollar smile! Money saved in these tills will go to their bank accounts.

Time for refreshments - kids had  a piece of cake and Milo courtesy BOC.

Principal's vote of thanks.

Bank staff enjoying the children.

Manager of Smyrna Fellowship Mrs.Moses looks on.

 Nawarojini teacher giving away a gift.

Group photograph(serious) :(

Group Photograph(not so serious) :)

I pen this off with so much gratitude to God for His eye is truly on the sparrow and I tangibly experience God's grace, love and favor upon this children.  The manager said that she would continue to work with this children in the future and I believe we made a good contact with them by the grace of God.  A huge thank you to BOC!

• By Ruth Herath

Help for the physically challenged

Every month when it comes to second Tuesday the Help for the disable team is busy arranging food packets and kitchen staff is busy cooking for the physically challenged group.There about 16 from different areas in the hills are above 10 years old except Fatima Assna who is three years old. As these children need more food and parents  find difficult to provide them nutritious food. Smyrna is providing them with Rice, Dahl,Green grams, Milk powder, Sugar,biscuits, fruits, soap,toys etc. And also when ever funds are available this group is provided with clothes, shoes and essential needs at home.

On the 16th of August some of them came with their mothers to Smyrna. Mothers are very much thankful to Smyrna for concerning their children.

Fatima Assna with her mother  and Shanthy (one of our staff member) has given her  a toy Fatima is the fourth child in the family, after her birth mother realised that she is not normal in her growth of habits. .Father is a Potter and his earning is insufficient to manage the family. Mother could not go for work because of  Fatima. As the doctors advised  the mother  came to Smyrna requesting give nutritious food for her daughter.

Siththy Assna

Vinodinie is 10 years old  and mentally and physically handicap. Mother has to be with her to help in everything.They are living in a Tea Estate, this estate is situated in a steep vally which is very far away from the main road. Mother cannot go for a job as she has to look after Vinodinie, father is  working in the Tea Estate as a labourer,  the poor income is insufficient to manage the family.

Geeth Kavinda with his mother

Geeth Kanvinda's family is living in a rural village close to Keppettipola town. He cannot speak, his fingers are joined together and cannot do any work, he can walk, as he cannot talk he use to hit his mother or father as a sign to explain his needs. He has two sisters and one brother. Father is working in paddy fields according to the availability of the work in the fields. The poor income is insufficient to survive the family.

Dushanthan 

Dushanthan is the eldest in the family and he has two sisters. both parents are working in the tea estate but Dushanthan mother could not go for work regularly because of Dushthan's situvation. Dushanthan cannot walk, talk he is physically and mentally disabled child. They are living in Haggala estate, in a separate small house close to the estate line houses.

Davie

Davie  who is 16 years old is living with her mother and brother, she is a Down's syndrome girl,living in a tea estate,house is built out of soil and in one room you will find the fire place in a corner, looks dark inside. Only loving person for her is mother.

Above are some of our physically and mentally challenged children whom comes to SMYRNA once a month.