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Grace Update:
Changes and challenges

The Grace Care Center in Trincomalee has survived as many changes and challenges as Sri Lanka itself. It’s a historic time for the island nation, particularly in the northeast, which was hit hardest by the 26-year conflict. The final weeks of combat took place just a few dozen miles north of Grace.

In May 2009, the government declared military victory over the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Since then, government social workers and nonprofit organizations have been assessing the needs of the impoverished survivors, and Grace management is working closely with the Department of Social Services to ensure that the facility is taking the best care of as many children and elders as possible.

Ongoing and pending developments for VeAhavta and Grace include:

• Appointment of a Michigan-based Board of Directors is expected by the end of October. Soon thereafter, VeAhavta will move its administrative office to southeast Michigan.

• The Grace community is now on Facebook, with more than 130 fans from around the world. Grace is also listed as a “Cause” to benefit from Facebook users’ generosity. The Facebook platform was used to raise contributions in support of volunteer Keith Kohler’s 50-mile marathon fund-raiser (see related story), and can serve as a global bulletin board for Grace activities and progress.

• A student group at the University of Michigan is preparing to “adopt” Grace as their primary project for the academic year. Student leaders Alisha Paal, Neeharika Reddy Kalakota and others met with VeAhavta’s Naresh Gunaratnam and Jim Mitchell to discuss possible fund-raisers and cross-planetary communications.

• Branches of the Rotary Club International in California are awaiting a proposal from Rotarians in Trincomalee for capital improvements on the Grace property.

• Grace is expanding its partnerships with local groups, organizations, children’s homes and churches to provide opportunities for children to study, worship the faith of their families and explore their culture.

• Volunteer Jim Mitchell is spending another 30 days at Grace after being on campus for two months this summer. Jim will continue to document management changes made this year at Grace while providing information to donors regarding the future of the orphanage and elder care facility.

The management of Grace – both in America and Sri Lanka – are teaming with community leaders, educators and social workers to create a future for the children of Sri Lanka where “peace” may finally be the reality after a quarter-century of conflict.