Tsunami Haven Projects Society (of British Columbia CANADA)

Gordon's Christmas Letter

2007-12-19T11:01:00.000-08:00

I turned my computer off a week ago, choosing to enjoy the sound and sights of the waves and wildlife in my view. With the snail mail came a lovely letter from my friend Gordo. As I began reading I began laughing. And then I cried. This is what he wrote:

Letter from Sri Lanka

2007-12-01T09:13:00.001-08:00

Hi Mr.len

Thanks for your letter. I pray the God for your good health ever.

All the Pre-School students who got helps from you are pray the God for your health and ambitions.

Now the situation of our Country is not good. There are so many Problems. We couldn't stay with peace. And the budget also increasing every day.

However, I wish you for you every steps in your life for all of us.

Thank you.

Your friend

Thevan

" Much of life can never be explained but only witnessed. "

2007-11-20T08:35:00.000-08:00

NAIROBI (AFP) - A baby hippopotamus that survived the

tsunami waves on the Kenyan coast has formed a strong

bond with a giant male century-old tortoise in an animal

facility in the port city of Mombassa , officials said.

The hippopotamus, nicknamed Owen, and weighing about

300 kilograms (650 pounds), was swept down Sabaki

River into the Indian Ocean , then forced back to shore

when tsunami waves struck the Kenyan coast on

December 26, before wildlife rangers rescued him.

"It is incredible. A-less-than-a-year-old hippo has adopted a

male tortoise, about a century old, and the tortoise seems to

be very happy with being a 'mother'," ecologist Paula Kahumbu,

who is in charge of Lafarge Park , told AFP.

"After it was swept away and lost its mother, the hippo was traumatized.

It had to look for something to be a surrogate mother.

Fortunately, it landed on the tortoise and established a strong bond.

They swim, eat and sleep together," the ecologist added.

"The hippo follows the tortoise exactly the way it followed its mother.

If somebody approaches the tortoise, the hippo becomes aggressive,

as if protecting its biological mother," Kahumbu added.

"The hippo is a young baby, he was left at a very tender age and

by nature, hippos are social animals that like to stay with their

mothers for four years," he explained.

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,

but by the moments that take our breath away."

This is a real story that shows that our differences don't matter

much when we need the comfort of another.

We could all learn a lesson from these two creatures,

"Look beyond the differences and find a way to walk the path together."

Save the Earth... it's the only planet with chocolate.

THE HIPPO AND THE TORTOISE

2007-11-20T08:05:00.001-08:00

"Look beyond the differences and find a way to walk the path together."

Hand to Hand...

2007-10-31T08:22:00.001-07:00

Tsunami Haven Pre-School
Displaced Persons Camp Projects
Kalmunai, Sri Lanka

It only takes one hand to join another and share our wealth and our burdens. Every little jesture of assistance and concern communicates and erases our differences. Education of the Children will bring Peace and Prosperity to Sri Lanka. Indeed, children of the world are our only hope for a healthy future for this planet.

Volunteer positions available (2 month committment; pay your own way)

Donations:
P.O. Box 400 Qualicum Beach, v9k 1s7 Canada

What ya gunna do with the next part of your life?

2007-10-13T07:00:00.001-07:00

Rose Charities Canada home page Rose International home page

Long term aid from Qualicum Beach is being given to the residents of the worst hit east coast of Sri Lanka.

Orders now being taken for the book. Contact email below

As a volunteer for Poco a Poco, and Child Haven International, working with AMDA (The Asian Medical Doctors Association) Canada (via Rose Charities), and the DART regiment, I spent 70 days overseas, and before returning to Qualicum, committed to two long-standing women's groups in Sri Lanka (PPDS and Sarvodaya ) that I would assist in building at least 10 schools/womens centers in the next two years. If it takes longer, No Problem!

The book, "Tsunami Journey" one man's story from Qualicum to Kalmunai

is now available and all proceeds l go to TSUNAMI HAVEN PRE-SCHOOLS for materials, supplies and uniforms.

Four Schools have been completed, one school is under construction at the moment, and I receive phone calls from Kalmunai every two weeks regarding developments. The cost of each brick building is about $8, 000.00.

Unfortunately, while I was there, I learned from reading local English newspapers that less than 40 percent of funds from North America ever reached the people who needed it.

Meanwhile the Hindu Buddhist, Muslim, and Christian residents of the coast continue to live in plastic tents and a lot of the children attend schools in tents as well. Recently government bombing of the east coast has displaced more than 150,000 men women and children into "refugee" camps.

It will take at least 10 years for Asia to recover from the Tsunami of 12/26/04 The big question is will Sri Lanka ever recover from the conflict? Which is essential a fight between race (Singhala vrs Tamil) and homeland. Who really is entitled to live on who's historic land?

I am currently gathering names of interested dentists and dental assistants who would be willing to commit this fall or winter to a 2 or 3 week or longer visit to and operate a children's dental clinic. Other skilled volunteers wanted as well.

I can be reached at lenisinsrilanka (at) yahoo.ca

250-757-8977

Lets Just Try !

The Color of Serendipity....a photo Journey Through Lanka Land

2007-10-11T21:11:00.001-07:00

Try looking at things this way:

2007-09-18T16:19:00.001-07:00

Russian

Let us not be stopped by that which divides us but look for that which unites us

If we could reduce the world's population to a village of precisely 100 people, with all existing human ratios remaining the same, the demographics would look something like this:

60 Asians	12 Europeans	5 US Americans and Canadians	8 Latin Americans	14 Africans

49 would be female	51 would be male

82 would be non-white	18 white

89 heterosexual	11 homosexual

33 would be Christian	67 would be non-Christian

5 would control 32% of the entire world's wealth, and all of them would be US citizens
80 would live in substandard housing
24 would not have any electricity (And of the 76% that do have electricity, most would only use it for light at night.)
67 would be unable to read
1 (only one) would have a college education.
50 would be malnourished and 1 dying of starvation
33 would be without access to a safe water supply
1 would have HIV
1 near death
2 would be near birth
7 people would have access to the Internet

If to take a look at the world from this condensed perspective,
the need for acceptance, understanding and education becomes evident.

Think of it!

If you woke up this morning with more health than sickness,
you are luckier than the million that will not survive this week.

If you have never experienced a war,
a loneliness of an imprisonment,
an agony of tortures
or a famine

You are happier, than 500 million persons in this world.

If you are able to go to church, mosque or synagogue without fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death,
you are happier, than 3 billion persons in this world.

If there is a meal in your refrigerator,
if you are dressed and have got shoes,
if you have a bed and a roof above your head,
you are better off, than 75% of people in this world.

If your parents are still alive and still married,
then you are a rarity.

If you have a bank account,
money in your purse
and there is some trifle in your coin box,
you belong to 8% of well-provided people in this world.

If you read this text, you are blessed three times as much, because

Someone has thought of you;
You do not belong to those 2 billion people which cannot read
and... you have had your computer!

Someone has told once:

Work like you don't need money,
Love like you've never been hurt,
Dance like nobody's watching,
Sing like nobody's listening,
Be surprised, like you were born yesterday,
Tell the truth and you don't have to remember anything,
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

This is your World!

And you are able to make changes!

Hasten to do good works!

Think of it!

Discuss at the forum
Meleshkevich Andrey

Some statistics were taken from the seite If the World Were a Village of 100 People
Also you can visit If the world were a village of 1,000 people ...
and If the World were a Village...
and also FAMOUS MARK TWAIN QUOTES-MARK TWAIN SAYINGS-PHRASES-SAMUEL LANGHORNE CLEMENS STORIES

--
"If you carry Peace in your Heart,
Peace will be your world."

Len Walker
Volunteer

Tsunami Haven Projects
HAND TO HAND

www.tsunamihaven.org

"Tsunami Journey---70 days in Sri Lanka"

P.O.Box 400
Qualicum Beach
Vancouver Island
British Columbia
CANADA   V9K 1S9

info@tsunamihaven.org
1-250-757-8977

"If you have some power---your job is to empower somebody else."
                                         ...Toni Morrison

                                                               .

Tsunami Haven Projects Society: Hand to Hand, one brick at a time....

2007-09-08T07:29:00.001-07:00

We have built 4 pre-schools on the island of Sri Lanka since the recovery effort of the Tsunami of Dec 2004.

Working with both Hindu and Buddhist survivors and marginal folks we seek out their advise where we can

be of most assistance to them. Education is the long term solution.

Our volunteers pay their own way to/from and during their mission. We use donated funds strictly for the projects, not to operate them.

Our 25 volunteers so far have come from the medical, educational, dental, artistic, business, social work and

banking communities. Canada, USA, Iran, UK, Belgium, France, Hong Kong and Australia are where our volunteers

and supporters hail from.

We embrace the concepts of World Peace and Equality for all. We respect all religions.

The website shows our development and this BLOG updates as events occur.

We are a registered non-profit society in the Province of BC.

Our board of directors are an investment banker, a doctor, a dentists and a social worker.

We do not nor will we have paid staff.

100% of our donations go to aid the children in need in Sri Lanka.

By building small one room brick pre-school buildings the whole community benefits. After lunch when the

children go home the buildings are used in the afternoons and evenings by women, teenagers and families.

We have been asked to continue to build these schools. Our cost per school is around 10 thousand dollars.

We have established contacts with a Buddhist priest, a Hindu priest and friends of the President of Sri Lanka

who are all urging us to continue our work.

We require on-going funding to do so.

Please contribute what you can

Thank you

http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff88/tsunamihaven2/

2007-09-02T08:09:00.001-07:00

Try this link to see the photos

http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff88/tsunamihaven2/

Photos from Volunteer George in the East and South of the island

2007-09-02T07:24:00.001-07:00

Photobucket Album

New photos from Volunteer George

2007-08-29T08:38:00.000-07:00

Here are a few of George in Sri Lanka photos. Showing our friends and transulators, Pag and Ganga and Thevan. As well, some of our kids that we provide for...in some of the photos George is handing over library books, others show the playground equipment he had built on order and delivered. The kids were so excited to get these great toys outside their little schools.

Sorry folks BLOGGER is not operating properly on this site, I was unable to post the photos.
I will seek out another place on the net to post them and post the link here.

About this $10,000.00 (ten thousand U.S. dollars) that is needed to build another school...

2007-08-14T08:42:00.001-07:00

Aug 14, 2007 Colombo, Sri Lanka

Message from our in-country Australian Nurse Sally:

I had a meeting with everyone today. The whole gang were very keen to receive more money, a bit pushy I may add. In the end we came up with an idea for them to put a clever long term business like proposal together to try to receive funding here in Sri Lanka as opposed to always wait for funds from over seas. I don't know....it seemed like the perfect opportunity to put ideas in theirs heads that they would be able to do it themselves in a very innovative manner instead on relying on outside funds. It seems to me that is one major thing that is lacking in this country: innovation and initiation. May or may not work but we can only try.

My house mate is a project manager for an NGO and myself will be more than happy to give them advice, edit proposal, etc. for them if they need and help out with contacts

I gave Thevan the last of the money, 130,000 rupees.

By the way don't stress if you don't make the 10 grand target. You have seriously done an incredible amazing job so far. I've never seen anything like it from an individual. Things are as they are and all for a purpose. I really think Ganga and Pag and Thevan can take the bull by the horns and try to put a proposal together and find the money here in this country. It will give them confidence in their abilities and there IS money here. We just have to find it but I do believe it's time for them to try and lead the way together. It may not work but it's at least a try and we'll all help them. the outcome if they could achieve this would be so much more amazing in the long run. They have learnt so much from you already, that was evident at the meeting so I think it's possible.

Big Hugs~Sal

Most welcome donation...

2007-08-13T09:00:00.001-07:00

Announcing: International Inspirational Speaking Tour by Seer and Author,

Carol Heywood-Babrauskas

Carol Heywood-Babrauskas, author of Passionate Pinky and the Evolutionary Experiment* is a seer with a unique perspective of Earth's evolutionary path. She has been watching evolution in action since her third eye was blasted open during the Harmonic Convergence in 1987 and enjoys sharing what she sees in her delightful storytelling style to inspire hope for Earth and humanity's future. Carol's presentations, book signings and workshops have been well-attended, enthusiastically received and resulted in high book sales.

Her calendar is filling up, so contact us to book your dates soon!

Contact: Sherri Rosen Publicity
15 Park Row, Suite 25 C
NYC, NY 10038
212.587.0296 www.sherrirosen.com

Event Suggestions:

Carol can customize her presentations to fit any program and venue. Her experience ranges from hour-long talks to week-long workshops. An ideal event for Carol includes a free evening 1-2 hour talk and book signing, followed by a 1-2 day fee-paid workshop. She keeps her workshop fees as reasonable as possible and, as always, donates 33% of any profits to charities, which include The Tibetan Nun Fund and Tsunami Haven Projects.

First World or Third World; we need to Love The World...

2007-08-13T07:46:00.001-07:00

From Kerry in New Mexico, USA:

I've been in England for the last 2 1/2 weeks. I got back last night, it was cold and rainy for almost all of the time. I went to the Buddhist center in the Lake district. It was a wonderful visit, teachings and meditations.

I can sympathize with somepeople's mind of wishing to give up the "plenty" that we NorthAmerikans have and wishing to help others in poorer areas of the world. It is a multi layered issue, if you can go into it knowing that you will make a small difference in the place you are, but that on a global sense the problems of poverty, starvation and war will continue. The only way to change that part is to change our minds. Each person has to see that we need to get rid of the anger and hatred in our own heart and develop the wish to be of benefit to ALL others, not just the ones we like, but the ones we don't like as well. We get mad at the haves and side with the have nots of the world, in reality, even the haves need us to be kind to them. They have suffering as well, just on a different level than the have nots. So our anger and disgust with one group still is anger and disgust. If there is a link to all of us, then one at a time we must change our intolerance and do as your friend says find peace in our own heart. Until we are at peace with what is, accepting the situation as it is, we will not make any progress. Accepting it does not mean doing nothing about it, it means not becoming unhappy about it and thus putting our anger back into the pot. Take care, love, Kerry

BOINK ! <<>> Its just so simple I am laughing!!

2007-08-08T08:25:00.001-07:00

Tsunami Haven Projects Society started off with one man who wrote a book about the Tsunami efforts he was involved with
in Sri Lanka.

We gave away 500 copies of the book TSUNAMI JOURNEY and the idea is this:

If each copy of that book were read by just one more person...and all 1000 of those people were to send us just ten dollars
($10 USF) we would have ten thousand dollars....just the right amount we need to build the school they are asking for!!

Please send us ten bucks if you read the book!!

Thank you!

Tsunami Haven Projects
HAND TO HAND

.

August 1, 2007 Volunteer update:

2007-07-31T09:57:00.001-07:00

Kalmuani and Akkaraipattu Area, Ampara District.

I arrived here on the east coast after a few days relaxing between projects; the most striking thing that I noticed from differing from the south was the landscape, which is just flat and very productive for rice growing.

Thevan who was to be my guide, advisor and translator for the next month or so met me and I was immediately introduced to the family which included a 21 year old girl who is working for Solidarites the French NGO, and spoke very good English which would make communications much easier.

The next morning Thevan, Saliney and I went to Kalmuani and visited three schools which all needed different items, whether it be just some building blocks or pipes for a supply of water, the needs were varied.

This meant that we could sit down and see which were most important and see how much money we could use for each separate item.

This was in complete contrast to the task in the south where it was stipulated that I had to purchase library books and associated items, so two very different tasks.

Once I had seen all the schools that Thevan had decided needed help and assistance in many different ways it was up to us as to how to help them, in the best way possible, this meant ultimately going to Colombo to purchase school items at a lower price than here in the east.

Some of the schools that we saw were no more than a 3ft breeze block high wall, with a concrete floor, mesh for ventilation, security and light and a tin roof, this meant that there was nowhere to store anything at all, therefore it was decided on our return from Colombo that we would purchase 5 metal storage cupboards.

We had a lot more money to spend here in the east so it was a much easier task knowing that whatever we purchased would be used in one school or another.

There was also another stipulation which meant that playground equipment had to be provided for as many schools as possible and we decided that rather than providing a swing here and a sew-saw there, it would be easier to provide one school with the complete set of 4, swing, slide, sew–saw and climbing pyramid, this school was Valarmathy, this was significant as it was the school hat Len Walker help build etc, and some of the money that was left over from the Colombo trip is going to provide a toilet for this school.

As I have just said we went to Colombo to purchase 90% of the items on the following list:

Uniform material for 22 pupils
X 1 desk for teacher
Markers red, blue and black
X 2 register books
X 5 packs A4 plain paper
Teacher's pens x 3 of each red, blue and black.
Story books
Picture books
Library books
X 10 packs of colouring pens
X 25 school bags
Total expenditure including rental of van and driver for 3 days

On our return we had a day or two shopping here in Akkaraipattu and Kalmuani, the following items were purchased:

X 120 A5 Lined books
X 120 A5 blank books
X 2 water filters
X 56 plastic chairs
X 2 teachers' chairs
X 10 low plastic tables
X 170 metal hooks
X 60 Nails
Planks of wood for hanging school bags
Toys
Posters
X 5 metal storage cupboards
X 1 sheet of hardboard
Total expenditure excluding local travel expenses

All of the above items were looked at in Colombo but were remembered or sought to be cheaper here in Akkaraipattu, which is strange as most of the items come form Colombo anyway and you would have though that transport costs would have increased the prices.

We also provided for the 5 schools x 4 pieces of 5ft wood with hooks and nails to provide hanging space for school bags. Additionally we purchased x 5 6ft high metal storage cupboards.

The monetary side of this is just amazing, all of the items that I have just mentioned above plus all transport costs (RS 30,000 for 1 minibus for three days to-in and from Colombo) will come to around RS 280,000 GBP 1,300 so very little in GBP can go a very long way here in Sri Lanka.

Below is a table, which describes the different schools that I chose for the items listed above and more specifically their needs at the start of my time here in the east. Most of these items have been provided, as you saw in the Shopping list from Colombo, Kalmuani and Akkaraipattu.

Criteria	*Udiayam - PPDS - Akkaraipattu*	Valarmathy Sarvodaya	Akaram	Maiurah	Nava Vidhahiya Sarvodaya Shramdhama Samithy
No of Pupils:	25	45	22	29	49
School Timings:	8.30 – 11.30am	8.30-11.30am	8.30-11.30am	8.30-11.00am	8.30-11.30am
Needs: Play items	Indoor play items	Outdoor play items	Indoor play items	In	In & out play items
Books	No need	Exercise books X 45 at 80 pages	Exercise, library & note books	All books 30 lined A5 30 Plain A5 ABC/story/picture X 3 + 3 + 3 and others	No need
Uniform	No need	No need	Uniform for 22	No need	Uniform for 59
Teachers needs	No need	Pens, paper, White, chalk or hard board	1 ream of white A4 paper	Markers for whiteboard. Register book	Register book
Other needs		Water pipe and taps		Water filter

The next stage with these schools is to give the remaining storage cupboards and water filters, which will be done within the next month. Thereafter the items that need to be given are outdoor playground equipments such as swings, slides; sew saws and climbing pyramids. The costs for which are as follows but these prices are as of July 2007 and with the current situation prices could go up or down depending upon when it is decided to provide the different items:

Slide RS 26,500 GBP 125.00 $ ?

Swing RS 18,500 GBP 90.00 $ ?

Climbing Pyramid RS 28,500 GBP 135.00 $ ?

Sew Saw RS 18,500 GBP 90.00 $ ?

Delivery RS 3,000 GBP 15.00 $ ?

The Udayham School, which is in the table on the previous page in Italics, was chosen at the start of my tour of the schools along with the other four.

But during my first week I was also taken around 7 Women's Development Centre Schools by Mrs Jaya to see if I could provide some items for them. That was when we came across Alayadivambu Pre-School here in Akkaraipattu, which was built 6 months ago; it is just a 3ft high breezeblock high wall, concrete floor and tin sides and roof. When we walked in the 25 children were just sitting on sacks, there were no chairs, no tables, no teachers equipment etc, therefore I decided the money/equipment that I would have spent/given to Udayham school their items would be spent here.

Another reason why this decision was reached was the school that I chose were managed/looked after by an organization called PPDS Peoples Progressive Development Society, whose mission is 'To improve economical conditions of under-privileged communities mobilising men, women, youth and children, creating awareness among such families and utilizing all available resources,' in the Ampara District. Udayham School is less than 100 meters from the office of PPDS and therefore it would be very easy for them to ask for more items, where as the other four are 23kms away in Kalmuani.

So in conclusion my time here in the east has been much easier than my time in the south. This was because in the south I had no plan or blueprint to go on with my first visits to the different schools, in terms of asking the correct questions, how to eventually provide the equipment etc.

All of that knowledge made my task here in the east much easier, also here in the east I was not asked to provide the schools with the same items, I could pick and choose what I provided for which school. In the south I was asked to specifically provide library books to the schools as well as creating a central library for the teachers and parents.

George Bryers 24/11/83

Volunteer in South & East Sri Lanka 23/5/07 – 31/7/07

2007-07-20T14:35:00.001-07:00

Relief work continues in beleaguered Sri Lanka...

WALKER INSPECTS work at a project in Sri Lanka.

By NEIL HORNER
News Reporter

July 20 2007

Two years after a devastating tsunami swept away thousands of people and destroyed homes across the country, much of the world has forgotten about the disaster in Sri Lanka.

But, says Tsunami Haven head Len Walker, relief work continues, albeit mainly out of the media spotlight.

"In one section of the country, the recovery is very satisfactory, almost overkill," Walker said. "In the southern part of Sri Lanka we would see six or seven brand new boats piled against one house, when they only need one per family."

The problem, he said, no longer involves the tsunami, but rather the volatile political situation in the country.

"In the eastern part, where the Tamils live, there were no boats, no fishing nets, and the displaced persons camps were fully occupied," Walker said.

"A lot of the aid sent to Sri Lanka never gets to parts of the country because of politics. We can't get access to the north, where the Tamil Tigers have their stronghold. Due to the political situation, it's hard to get a lot done."

Subsequent disasters, such as the New Orleans hurricane and flood, have taken the media spotlight off Sri Lanka, Walker said, causing additional problems with fundraising and recruitment.

"New Orleans pulled Oprah Winfrey's team out of Sri Lanka, because there was a cause closer to her home," he said. "It's out of the news, out of sight, out of mind."

However, Walker said the situation in the under-assisted parts of the country is dire.

"There is so much need over there, it's amazing," he said.

"We provide a lot of emotional support and we do small things, like installing showers in the camps.

"It cost us $20 to put up a four-person shower, because they had no way to get clean."

Walker, who travelled to Sri Lanka a year ago, plans to return to the country in November to monitor some of the work going on.

As well, he plans to give a slide presentation at the Lions Community Centre in Qualicum Bay at 7 p.m. on July 30 to detail the work Tsunami Haven Projects Society is doing in Sri Lanka. Hosted by the local chapter of The Canadian Society of Questers.

We support whole heartedly our friends at:

2007-07-13T14:49:00.001-07:00

KINDNESS IN ACTION

	Activities
	The Real World
	Where We Work
	Annual Report
	Stories

Past Annual Reports:

2005 Annual Report

2004 Annual Report

2003 Annual Report

2002 Annual Report

2005 - 2006 Annual Report

From the very beginning, it has seemed like this organization has had a life and will of its own. Now in our sixteenth year, I am continually humbled and in awe of how a good thing can keep getting better. Thanks to a steadily growing support and volunteer base, we have gone from "doing what we can with what we have" to "doing more than anyone could have imagined".

Twelve dental projects were completed in eight countries: increasingly we are working at the community level, with local dental personnel and schools, emphasizing education and prevention. Our community based prevention program was translated and is being used in three languages. Portable dental units were left behind in Peru and Honduras for the local dentists who worked with us, enhancing their ability to provide care. We remain a resource for many others doing similar work, sharing our equipment, supplies and experience.

More than ever, we are going beyond dentistry. Our networking partnerships were strengthened and continue to grow along with us. Working with Change For Children and Tsunami Haven, we funded the construction of primary schools in Nicaragua and Sri Lanka. A generous grant from Tides Canada Foundation meant more scholarships for young girls in Guatemala. In El Remate, Guatemala, Ix Canaan's medical/computer facility was upgraded and more training provided. We were able to support a Rotary International rainwater collection initiative in Chisec, Guatemala. We continue to leave behind donations of school supplies and were able to fund a primary school teacher through Cimientos De Educacion in Xix, Guatemala for at least another year.

All of this was accomplished in a year where international volunteering has come into question in the dental media. Dentistry remains first and foremost a helping profession. With no illusions about what effect we are having on the big picture, our board and members overwhelmingly reaffirmed our commitment to serving those with less and making a difference in our own way. It is not just in the doing, but the way it is being done. Leaving the comfort zone of our North American cocoons to work from the heart is, for most, a transformational and life changing experience and arguably the most important thing we do. We enter 2006 determined, optimistic and grateful for the opportunity to serve.

Dr. Amil Shapka

"Be the change you want to see in the world."

- Ghandi

We miss our friend and volunteer Sarah...

2007-07-13T14:25:00.001-07:00

Sarah had great ideas about returning to Sri Lanka and helping the teachers and the children.
We are getting ready now for our October/November team trip...she would have been with us
but for her act of kindness to stop and help out someone in a snow storm...

We miss the energy and enthusiasm of our friend!

--

EBELL, SARAH EILEEN Monday, 27 Nov 2006

Nanaimo News Bulletin Nanaimo, BC

SARAH EILEEN EBELL
1960 to 2006

Lorne and Barbara Ebell, John, Nadene, Jared and Marla Ebell, and the extended family send heartfelt thanks to all the wonderful people who helped to sustain us when we lost our Sarah in a road accident on November 27th.

Special thanks go out to the Parksville RCMP and their Victims' Support Group; the team in the Emergency Department and Trauma Unit at the Nanaimo General Hospital; the media who covered the incident so well and treated us so kindly. And to all the people who responded with beautiful flowers, gifts and their condolences. Truly an outpouring of love. The family received wonderful support from her employers, Carmichael Enterprises; the folks at Haven House in Parksville; and the Tsunami Haven Society.

The Celebration of Life was a truly wonderful event and we thank that great community of friends who helped with the organization and joined us at Nanoose. Truly an outpouring of love for her and wonderful memory for her family and friends.

quick update

2007-07-09T18:09:00.001-07:00

Just wanted to update everyone.

I have spoken on the phone with our volunteer

George in Sri Lanka over the weekend.

George will be sending a report soon that I can post

on the website...about the 5 schools that received

library books from his efforts during his stay on the

South coast.

Yesterday he arrived in the East. He is very enthusiastic

about helping to finish the various projects...and will be

sending photos and another report about his work there.

He departs on August 18 for home (UK).

The funds for the library project are almost depleted,

as well the balance of all donations are being transferred

to Thevan this week so the two of them can complete

any little projects that come up. One school needs a

water line, another a swing and slide, etc; several small

projects like that.

Thankx for your continued interest and support.

Namaste

Len

Voice of Humanity: WiserEarth

2007-06-21T15:33:00.001-07:00

WiserEarth / Paul Hawken

There is an up and coming online community called Wiser Earth. Wiser Earth is a creation of Paul Hawken's Natural Capital Institute. The WE software is based on MySQL and open source php. Hawken has just come out with an important new book: "Blessed Unrest: How the Largest Movement in the World Came Into Being and Why No One Saw It Coming."

Here is the blurb: "WiserEarth serves the people who are transforming the world. It is an open source, community-editable international directory and networking forum that maps, links and empowers the largest movement in the world – the hundreds of thousands of organizations within civil society that address social justice, poverty, and the environment."

Check it out and join up!