Grace Update / Meet Indrani / Peace Cafe / Meet Sharmila / Fundraising Dinner

Connections, friends finding way to Grace

Among other discoveries, VeAhavta volunteer Bonnie Nuzum was pleased to report the expectation of high-speed Internet soon available at Grace Care Center.

Bonnie arrived in late April at the orphanage, a trip that will continue through mid-May. An educator from New York, Bonnie has made several visits to the Care Center, working on education issues and agricultural projects.

Bonnie reports that Grace and Trincomalee are calm and peaceful, in spite of the situation not too far north of the orphanage. What appears to be the final days of conflict between the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and government forces are being played out less than 40 miles north of Grace. Humanitarian efforts are being launched to assist the growing number of civilians who have been relocated to camps along the coast, once they found safe passage away from the conflict. Mercy Home manager Hiram Labrooy has spent time working in the camps, and Grace Care Center manager Rev. J. Gnanapragasm has visited those wounded during the conflict.

While at Grace, Bonnie has met with local suppliers to help bring high-speed Internet connections to the Center. Also, Bonnie, Hiram and Rev. Gnanapragasm spent time with Jake Perera, manager of Frisdro children’s home in Kandy. Jake previously met with Naresh Gunaratnam and members of the Michigan oversight committee, and future projects of shared interest are being considered.

Among the purchases Bonnie has made while at Grace were seeds, tomato plants, an orange tree and other ingredients for gardening, a project that will help reduce expenses. Some of the Grace children are playing an active part, working the soil before planting a variety of vegetables.

Of course, it wasn’t all work, nor should it be. In honor of the 18th birthday of Michigan Dr. Bonnie Sowa’s son, Kevin, a celebration was held with decorations, cakes, guests, singing and – at the request of the girls – Kottoroti, a delicacy that became the meal of choice for the day. Bonnie Sowa, who visited Grace in early 2005, provided the funds for what Hiram called, “A great day. Too bad there are not more of them.”

We look forward to more reports from Bonnie as her journey continues.

Bonnie Nuzum and Mr. Ishad from the Agricultural Department bring
in supplies for the gardening project at Grace Care Center.


Bonnie Nuzum helps the children prepare the soil for seeds.