Alliance News October - December 2014

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE NATIONAL CHRISTIAN EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE OF SRI LANKA

OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2014

NUTRITIOUS FOOD PACKS TO BOOST HEALTH M AMONG CHILDREN

alnutrition among children still persists mainly amongst the war-affected and low income families.

These families find it very hard to eke out a living and can barely afford three meals a day. Most children attend school without breakfast and fall sick frequently. The pregnant mothers too are unable to purchase the prescribed nourishment due to poverty. Together with the government authorities in Mullaitivu, Alliance Development Trust (ADT) selected 107 children and 43 pregnant mothers who were in dire need of nutrition to be the beneficiaries of a food distribution programme which was held at the Iruddumadu Tamil Vidyalayam in Mullaitivu on 10th October 2014. The event was organised by the school. The Divisional Commander, District Planning Officer, officers from the Department of Education, school staff and the village community participated in this programme.

The Principal of the school said that there was a positive response from the children after this programme. “We noted that the children brought breakfast to school. They are also happy and more active now.” A pregnant mother who was a beneficiary commented, ”I was worried because I couldn’t afford to buy some of the nutritious food items. I am very happy to receive a nutritious food pack. I thank ADT for selecting me as a benificiary.”

Read more on www.adtlanka.org

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TEACHING CHILDREN THE IMPORTANCE OF CHILD SECURITY

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ”(Galatians 6:2 NIV) Dr. David K. Carson, a professor of Christian counselling at the Palm Beach Atlantic University, Orlando, USA, held a 3 day seminar on Counselling Skills in Christian Ministry at the NCEASL auditorium from 8th to 10th December 2014. The 41 participants who attended this seminar were from churches, Christian organisations and Bible colleges. Over the 3 days, Dr. Carson expounded on three subjects; namely, helping people in pain and conflict, counselling troubled marriages and working with trauma in the lives of children, youth and families. The sessions were focused on biblical concepts and drew examples from real life situations and events. Participants were exposed to new approaches in counselling and equipped to deal with difficult situations. Dr. Carson used role-play as a very effective tool to build self-confidence in participants, to get his message across with impact and also to address problems from different perspectives. “The seminar was excellent and I enjoyed the practical sessions. There was so much we learnt and I hope next time it would be a residential camp” expressed one participant. Read more on www.nceasl.org

Counselling the Christian Way Dr. Carson and the participants at the counselling seminar

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They were advised to inculcate good habits, set goals for themselves, dress decently, to avoid dark and lonely places where gangs of men lurk, to always travel with a companion, to protect one’s body, to scream for help when inappropriate advances are made and to report any abuse of children.

he Sri Lankan media recently brought into light the heinous crime of child abductions taking place in the island.

These incidents highlighted the need for parents to pay close attention to their child’s needs and their activities. Often children who fall prey to such situations are those who do not receive adequate attention from their parents or guardians. Thus the theme for celebrations of World Children’s Day in Sri Lanka was aptly titled Protect Us with Love, highlighting the need for protection and love.

The Ratmalana Change Makers Club celebrated Children’s Day on 7th October 2014. Officers from the National Child Protection Authority graced the occasion as the chief guests and speakers who addressed the gathering on several important issues. The session was conducted in a manner in which even the younger kids understood and little games were conducted to retain their attention and interest.

The audience which comprised of 64 children were instructed to change their lifestyles for the better. A short movie clip was also played for the benefit of the older girls and the parents present.

The children too had something special planned for the day; a drama addressing the issue of the attention that the children need from their parents. The message given by the children to their parents was loud and clear. “Love me and pay attention to my needs when I’m around; don’t wait till I go missing to show me how much you care.”

Children involved in activities at the programme

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All those who participated at this event had learnt something new. Bhanuka who is 10 years old said that he learnt the importance of protecting himself. “I learnt today that I must not go anywhere alone and that I must be accompanied by an adult if I’m going anywhere” he said. The Alliance Development Trust supported and guided the Change Makers Club in conducting this programme with the aim of protecting the children and securing a better tomorrow for them. Read more on www.adtlanka.org

NEWS FROM THE SOUTH The Village Development Committee of Meegahagoda organised a dengue prevention programme on 18th October, 2014. Initially the committee together with the local Physical Health Inspector (PHI), local government agent (Grama Sevaka), divisional social services officer and two female police constables visited each home in the village encouraging them to clean their gardens and surroundings to prevent the spread of dengue. The inspection prompted the villagers to attend immediately to their neglected gardens. The children joined their parents as they trimmed the bushes, cleaned the drains and swept the gardens.

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The Meegahagoda selected village commemorated the World Day of Persons with Disabilities together with the Abaditha Seva Padanama (Foundation for the Disabled) on 18th December 2014 at the Salvation Army church hall, Galle. From its inception, the ADT supported the Abaditha Seva Padanama which encourages both children and adults living with disabilities. This event brought great joy to 20 children and 55 adults with disabilities and their families as they received an opportunity to get to know each other and share their difficulties and requirements.

The World Children’s Day was celebrated by the children of Meegahagoda on 25th October 2014 at the village school. The theme of the programme was Protect Us with Love. 110 children participated in several activities that were held to celebrate this event. The children took part in singing, dancing, drama and an art competition. This programme was organised by the Rantharu Children’s Club and the Village Development Committee.

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“I didn’t have enough goods for my grocery store and the ADT came to my aid” said Thavakumar. “I was able to purchase more goods with the money I received through the loan and now I can provide for the needs of my family.”

Thavakumar serves a customer

SSTS conducted for pastoral workers

FINDING STRENGTH IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY “27 years ago I ministered to the shanties that lived on the Ratmalana beach. One family received Christ and subsequently they shifted to Meegoda. One day, while I was visiting them, I pleaded with the Lord to send a minister to that village as the village did not have a Christian minister. The Lord gave me a word from Isaiah Chapter 6 and confirmed to me that He had chosen me for this task. So responding to His calling, I left Ratmalana and started the pioneering ministry at Meegoda village” related Pastor Tyron when we met him at the Standing Strong through the Storm (SSTS) seminar held for pastors from Seethawaka pastors from 8th – 10th, October 2014.

pressures and persecution that can come to any of us at any time.

“The seminar gave us a lot of strength and encouragement to boldly face persecution. I too have faced persecution.

In 2003 after the death of a popular religious leader, the villagers burnt down and destroyed our main church building. Thereafter the villagers put up posters demanding that ‘fundamentalists’ should leave the village. God took us through all these trials” explained Pastor Tyron.

“Today there is more than 120 people in my congregation.

Meegoda had no church when I first went there. I am truly happy because God has truly grown this congregation from nothing.”

The NCEASL conducts a total of six SSTS seminars each year for pastors from the various regions. The SSTS programmes provide training and guidance for church leadership, offering them instruction and counsel to face crises. It also motivates the Body of Christ to press on in its discipleship efforts whilst preparing them for

At the end of the 3 day SSTS seminar, Pastor Tyron went back strengthened and encouraged to teach others – church leaders, believers and other pastors like himself who are serving in interior rural areas on how to stand strong when the adversary strikes.

Read more on www.nceasl.org

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A Store of Happiness for Thavakumar Thavakumar is the proud owner of a grocery store in the community of Varani Iyattalai J344, Jaffna. He beams with pride as yet another customer walks into his grocery store. He is now able to cater to most of his customers’ needs even though in the past the going was not always smooth for Thavakumar. For a long period of time he was able to sell only a few essential items at his store.

Throughout this period Thavakumar made a very small profit that was barely enough to support the needs of his mother and younger siblings who were under his care.

He would sit behind the counter helpless as the villagers walked past him to the next grocery shop. He knew that if only he had access to a loan service, he would be able to improve his little business venture. Nevertheless, he was afraid to apply for a loan because he could not afford the interest rates nor could he adjust to the repayment schemes.

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Following the Alliance Development Trust’s (ADT) initial community development trainings in Varani, it began to identify beneficiaries for its livelihood programme.

When Thavakumar came to know about this programme, he applied for a loan which was readily approved. Still in his youth, Thavakumar has a good idea as to how to carry out a business in a profitable manner and the need to save his earnings. With a monthly income of around SLR 15,000, Thavakumar tries to limit the household expenses to around SLR 10,000. “I want to bring in more goods to my store and expand it because at times the villagers need to go to the next town for items that are not available here” he said, sharing his hopes for the future. “I am also very happy about the development taking place in my village” he said with a smile. “I hope that the other grocery stores in the village too can benefit through this development.” Read more on www.adtlanka.org

Email: communications@nceasl.org Web: nceasl.org adtlanka.org facebook.com/ADT.Sri.Lanka facebook.com/NCEASL twitter.com/nceasl

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Writers: Jovita Arulanantham Deepthi Senanayake Melanie Pereira Chandrika Abeysekera Address: P.O. Box 113, Dehiwala, Sri Lanka

Picking up the pieces...

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n 29th October, 2014 a landslide took place in the Badulla District.

Damage and displacement affected approximately 1000 persons.

While the majority of the relief poured to those who were affected in the Koslanda and Meeriyabedda villages, areas equally affected such as the Udaveriya estate received no assistance due to its rural location. The residents of this community were faced with hardship without access to essential needs and

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facilities as they sought temporary shelter in a school and an old tea factory.

A total of 50 families received relief packs that contained several food and non-food items through the ADT. The beneficiaries were very thankful for the assistance extended through the distribution of relief items which took place on 17th November, 2014.

Read more on www.adtlanka.org