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We have now shipped EIGHT container loads of Relief Aids to Sri Lanka with your LOVE. Thank you for all your all help. We will be working on our Child Sponsorship & Orphanage Project. If you would like to help please get in touch.

Child Sponsorship & Orphanage Project

Page 3 of 3 Establishing the Child & Youth Centre in Akurala According to the guidance we received from the Chairman of the NCPA, Prof Harendera De Silva, he specifically stated we must place the centre within the affected Tsunami area, it must be central to all the children in the community, so that the children do not have to walk a great distance to and from the centre. It must be available for all children and young people, not only those who have been affected with loss due to the Tsunami. After being approached by the Principal of Akurala Junior School, and listening to his pleas of help for the children (the school building had been washed out to sea with the second wave) we advised him of our intended project for a child and youth centre. His immediate response was to offer his assistance and that of his teachers to take on the responsibility to promote the success of the activities. He also confirmed that not only the children who had been receiving education in the school but he and his teachers would also encourage other children within the community who have never been in school to come into the centre and also children from other schools along the coastline. Rev Samitha’s parents offered their consent for the establishment of the Child & Youth Centre to be run from their now vacant house in Akurala. This property is central to the community in the area. It is not within the 100 metre coast line restriction. It has electricity and a solid foundation. However, it has sustained minor damage due to the Tsunami, which upon investigation will cost a nominal sum of money to rectify. Rev. Samitha’s parents also stressed that we can either rent or purchase the property outright. Our decision (naturally we would present these findings to the trustees back home) was made up because we had met the criteria which the Chairman of the NCPA was asking of us. We also felt confident in establishing the centre in Akurala as Rev. Samitha is familiar with the people in the community, he knows the location, and administrating the project would hold less risk than by selecting an unknown area and community. Registering a New NGO in Sri Lanka SLSCO-FLAME (Sri Lanka) Making a land mark in the history of SLSCO-FLAME Rev Samitha and M established Non Government Organisation in Sri Lanka with the help of well qualified people. The NGO received the name of SLSCO-FLAME (Sri Lanka) in dedication to UK registered Charity. Rev Samitha and M interviewed all the members of the new NGO. With all the necessary documentation Rev Samitha and M approached the Department of External Resources of the Ministry of Finance and Planning as was required in seeking approval for application for NGO. The Ministry of Finance and Planning was most impressed with our activities and issued a letter of full recommendation letter (Ref: erd/cgns/3/5/s0052 – Dated March 31st 2005) to the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Social Welfare at a time when all restriction relating to NGOs was being withheld. They fully supported our projects and informed us that they would expedite our application. Rev Samitha and M submitted the application form to Ministry of Social Welfare on March 31st 2005 for registration. Creating a historical record SLSCO-FLAME (Sri Lanka) received the NGO registration from the Ministry of Social Welfare on June 13th 2005. The registration number is FL-96816 At this present time SLSCO-FLAME (Sri Lanka) is representing all our activities in Sri Lanka such as the Child and Youth Centre project and Child Sponsorship Project. Once both these projects have been transferred form SLSCO-FLAME to the new registered charity CECF, the trustees of SLSCO-FLAME (Sri Lanka) will take the necessary steps to change the charity name to CECF (Sri Lanka). However it should be noted that SLSCO-FLAME (Sri Lanka) is totally an independent name/body/charity. Aftermath of travelling to Sri Lanka Upon our return to the UK on 4th May 2005 we held a general meeting to fully update all the trustees and members of SLSCO-FLAME fully on all our activities carried out in Sri Lanka; including the final decision to accept Rev. Samitha’s parents property under rental basis. All the trustees and members present at the general meeting agreed to run the centre from the property and also voted for the purchase of the property rather than having it on a rental basis. This meeting took place on the 24th May 2005. A few days after this meeting took place a number of issues were raised regarding the use of the Reverends parents property. Unfortunately these issues caused a severe hold up in the delivery of the projects as Reverend Samitha was requested by trustee/members to source properties else where within Akurala. With the help of the Principal of Akurala Junior School two possible properties within the area were located some 6 months later. Charity Commission Failed Appeal M & Cheryl were given the responsibility to contact the UK Charity Commission regarding the Name and status of the Children’s Orphanage Project to be renamed as the “Child and Youth Centre project” according to the requirement of Sri Lanka Government, Sri Lanka National Child Protection Authority and Sri Lanka Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Social Welfare. The UK Charity Commission informed Cheryl Green that the children’s Orphanage was now classified as a “Failed Appeal”, in other word the British Publish had donated and given their consent for their donations to be used specifically for a “Children’s Orphanage” AND the money for this project cannot be used for any other purpose until SLSCO-FLAME have abided by the Charity Commission rules and regulations adhering to the “Failed Appeal” process. This “Failed Appeal” process required that an official letter on behalf of SLSCO-FLAME must be sent to all the donors’ AND an “official” press release letter must also be printed in the newspaper. Under the guidance of the UK Charities Commission Rev Samitha and M approached the local papers and published a full report which stated that should donors’ wish to receive a full refund they would have to do so within 21 days of the “Public Notice” and/or the individual letter date, whatever method was relevant according to the method by which we had received the donation/s. It was also started within the body of the letter/Public Notice that SLSCO-FLAME was also seeking permission from the Charity Commission to the change the name of the project to the Child and Youth Centre Project. Donors’ wishing to receive a refund were asked to submit in writing to the “Treasure”, Dhamma Nikethanaya Buddhist Centre, 69, Pix Road, Letchworth Hertfordshire SG6 1PZ or via email: (Press Report on Comet Paper – July 7th 2005 – page 25) After completing the said time constraint relating to the failed appealed Cheryl Green approached the Charity Commission submitting all the relevant informing the general public. Only one person has sent an email requesting that we use the funds for the Child and Youth Centre. No other communication was forthcoming from the general public. The Charity Commission re-contacted Cheryl Green on the August 21st 2005 seeking a copy of the original appeal literature for donations, together with a complete financial breakdown of all monies relating of the “Failed Appeal” project. The Charity Commission also stated that they were unsure as to whether we did have a failed appeal on our hands and whether or not they needed to take control. On the October 04th 2005 Cheryl Green responded to James Dix via email attaching the “Original Appeal Letter” together with a details financial breakdown. On October 24th 2005 Cheryl Green received an official letter from the Charity Commission (Reference No; JD-G498395-RED(Ldn)) in which they apologies for the lack of information and support in dealing with our failed appeal. We are told another public notice must be entered into the News paper (and re-worded with a three months time constraint and “Disclaimer Form” must be appealed for from the charity of the donor agreed for the funds to be used for a child and youth centre project) and individual letters must also be re-sent to all the donors together with an individual Disclaimer Form. Charity Commission also provided us a REDST1A form for the trustees to sign and return to the Charity Commission to initiate a scheme/statement for the failed appeal. On the November 03rd 2005 M sent out an updated “Failed Appeal Letter” with Disclaimer to all the donors (which included a reply paid envelope). Rev Samitha and M re-visited the Comet Newspaper Office on the November 10th 2005 and the Public Notice was placed in the Public/Legal Column. (Press Reference - December 1st 2005 – The Comet Paper - page 96). To date we have 20 responses (19 of which disclaim their right for a refund of their donation). One response has asked for a refund of £500 which has duly been sent out to Lynfield Motors. We have received less than 5% returns from donors. The Three months notice expired on February 28th 2006. M and Cheryl submitted all the discloser forms, press/public Notices together with the REDST1A form (signed off by remaining three trustees) to enable the Charity Commission to draw up the scheme. The Charity Commission informed Cheryl Green via email on March 22nd 2006 that all the information received from us was in order. The statement from the Charity Commission will has to be placed in the local news paper and the statement will also has to be issued to individual donors with a waiting period of further one month for the public to respond. The children’s orphanage bank account has been ring-fenced no money can be withdrawn or placed into the account. The Charity Commission confirmed to Cheryl Green that CECF registered charity whose objectives within their constitution have been officially tailor-made by the Charity Commission to accept in totality both Child and Youth Centre Project and Child Sponsorship Project from SLSOC-FLAM. The trustees of SLSCO-FLAME voted and agreed on the January 08th 2006 General Meeting (minuted) that once the new charity (CECF) received their registration number both projects will be released from SLSCO-FLAME and transferred into CECF. Volunteer Get Together Events Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Buddhist Centre reserved a place in their unique series of events during Rainy Retreat Season Programme in appreciation and evaluation of the volunteers’ tremendous support and generosity rendered by our friends since the Tsunami Devastation and creating an environment for them to strengthen the good will and friendship. The whole event was compassionately sponsored by Miss Marilyn Fleischmann. Rev. Dr Sumanasiri (D.B.S.., B.A.(Hons) D.HOM. (Med.) (UK.), D.H.M.N.N.D.(U.S.A), M.H.M.A., F.B.I.H.(UK) Executive Director, Head of Buddhist Realist Vihara, London, Homeopathic Consultant, Research Scholar, Oxford) who was the guest speaker gave a fabulous talk on “Buddhist Insights Into Tsunami & Laws Of Nature” followed by an open discussion. (Press report – Newslanka – November 03rd 2005 page – 18 / Newslanka - October 06th 2005 - page 19). Official visit of Assistant Secretary – Cheryl Green to Akurala Cheryl Green accompanied by her husband went on their annual holiday to Sri Lanka in November 2005. At Rev Samitha’s request on behalf of the project committee she was asked would it be possible during her two weeks stay to visit Akurala and assess for herself the property/land which may be suitable for the child and youth centre. Cheryl Green agreed to this. The following is what took place. The President of Dhamma Nikethanaya Social Welfare Organisation (Ambalagonda), Rev. K.Gnanakusala, the President of SLSCO-FLAME (Sri Lanka) Mr. Prabath Nishantha and the Principal of Akurala Junior School, Mr Siriwardana gave a formal presentation of Tsunami aid distribution and also the Child Sponsorship Project and the Child & Youth Centre Project in Galle. On the 27th November 2005, with the official members of the Sri Lankan organisation Cheryl Green undertook a site visit under supervision of the properties that were available for our use. She also met the school children and the staff and visited the school too. Cheryl’s findings resulted in using the Reverend’s parents property was the best option for the continuation of the project. As per her statement to all trustees present at the 8th December 2005 General Meeting. This was a blessing to expedite the project forward irrespective of underlining issues. M was requested to contact the President of SLSCO-FLAME (Sri Lanka) with the aims of drawing up a rental agreement for the property and also to obtain a quotation of the building works. New Charity – CECF Children’s Education & Cultural Foundation SLSCO-FLAME now have only three trustees remaining due to the resignation of many over recent months and to date (as at) January 07th 2006. Endless obstructions distorted all the progress of both projects. Existing members decided the way forward was to start a New Charity and when it is fully registered the projects should be transferred out of SLSCO-FLAME. All the trustees unanimously agreed to transfer the project in to a newly formed registered charity and M reconfirmed her decision which she initially agreed to at the General meeting held in July 2005 with a follow up e:mail dated 19th August 2005 to all the trustees stating she would like to go ahead and apply to the Charity Commission and requested their responses and support. She received confirmation by return. The New Charity CECF received the registration number on March 9th 2006. UK charity registration number is 1113225. At present all the trustees of SLSCO-FLAME are having to wait for official scheme to be drawn up (statement) form the Charity Commission which will then be published in the newspaper and sent to all the donors advising of he following: 1). Children’s Orphanage Project will now be known as the Child & Youth Centre Project. 2). SLSCO-FLAME Trustees have agreed for the removal of the Project (C&Y Project) into the Children’s Educational & Cultural Foundation (CECF) charity Reg: 1113225 Child Sponsorship Project To date we have 33 children receiving sponsorship – donors have been contributing £5 on a monthly basis. Cheryl Green contacted the donors (on our books at that time) most of them at the very beginning with the subsequent update from our visit to Sri Lanka. M sent out an updated news letter to all the donors on October 10th 2005. No further updates have been forthcoming this year as we intend to notify the donors of SLSCO-FLAME decision to transfer the Child Sponsorship Project to CECF. The Charity Commission confirmed to both Cheryl Green and M that the minutes of the January 08th 2006 meeting was acknowledge and received by the Charity Commission as ‘proper’ and lawful and that SLSCO-FLAME must now release the Child Sponsorship Project and all the monies associated with this project into the CECF Child Sponsorship Bank Account. With that notification we shall send an introductory letter on behalf of CECF confirming our commitments in successfully administrating their sponsorship together with CECF standing order form and equally important an introduction letter of their child/children complete with photographs and charity regulations and guidelines relating to sponsoring. Seventy three children have submitted application forms for sponsorship together with their photographs ad additional authorized official documents such as a letter from school principal, income confirmation from Divisional Secretarial, certification from the president of SLSCO-FLAME (Sri Lanka), parents/guardians signatories. Future Business Plan: I. Child and Youth Centre Project: In the future this project will proceed under the CECF Charity, with the guidance from the National Child Protection Authority in Sri Lanka. After the necessary renovation of the premises, the Child & Youth Centre will be opened and ready to receive 200 Children on a monthly basis. The centre will be fitted out to support the requirements for Language Classes, Computer training, Vocational training (e.g. handloom, fabric, & some self employment training), Music, Dancing, & other academic and Life skill development trainings, Abuse awareness training will be delivered by the NCPA for the Children/Youth and all the staff associated with the centre. Sport facilities, Library, Internet, DVD Video and Television facilities will also be made available to the children. We have been approved by a reputable organization offering their support and equipment in operating a FREE DISPENSORY UNIT for the local public at the Centre when the Children & Youth Centre is closed during the day Monday to Friday 09: 00 am – 15 :30hrs until we are established. However the centre will be available for the children from 09 : 30 am – 16 : 00hrs every Saturday and Sunday. CECF are in the final stages of drawing up a working agreement. It is envisaged that all the children will receive an academic education of a high standard recognized by Sri Lankan government educational authorities. The educational curriculum will be totally embodied with the multi-religious, multi-cultural understanding and tolerance. However especial attention will be drawn into Sri Lankan typical traditional and cultural attitudes as well as Buddhist culture. Youths will also be given support and encouragement to undertake ‘one’ day week work placement with the community to provide them with additional learning and ‘life’ skills. Agriculture and Farming will also be investigated along with an international market for producing woven articles, artistic, pottery trades etc. etc.. Each child will be allowed to use the centre up until the age of 18 (eighteen). (after 24 moths of successfully running the child and youth centre, the NCPA will allow us to upgrade to a children’s home) We are also working towards sourcing other educational bodies of higher learning with the specific aims of providing the older children with scholarships. We also have in mind depending on the requirement wish to provide facilities and support services for physically handicapped and mal-adjusted children. Our vision for the long term future will be not only to run a children’s home but to develop the premises into a self-sustain village. This self-sustain village will comprise of a stand alone accommodation block for children over the age of eighteen (18) (who will be earning a small income undertaking their preferred cottage industry) We also intend to introduce newly graduated volunteer students from UK universities, qualified international teachers (regulated by the NCPA) and looking into the option of placement of children in family sharing. We believe that we are preparing the children in our care for the Global World with wisdom and Virtue. The president of SLSCO-FLAME (Sri Lanka); the NCPA and the principal and the staff of the school will oversee the running of the system and the safety of the children on all levels. II. Child Sponsorship Project: At present thirty three (33) children are ready to receive the sponsorship. Our aim is to sponsor 500 children island wide. We will adhere to strictest security of the children in both projects. Our policy is to keep a deep and constant and regular monitoring the lives of the children that we are sponsoring. We shall ensure to overcome their financial barriers to fulfil their lives with international competitive education and cultural understanding through developing the skills of Wisdom and Virtue into a Goble future in all areas such as: medical, engineering, science, technical, mechanical, computing (software and hardware), commercial, political, Legal, Accountancy, Business administration, Social & Religious, Arts and Crafts, Academic etc. etc. Conclusion This is the REAL beginning of these Projects. We do feel sorry for all the Confusions, Destruction, Downfalls Disappointments and Discouragements. However we are highly proud of our ACHIVEMENTS!!! Rev Samitha – as the Head of the Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya International Buddhist Centre for Education Meditation Psychotherapy and Counselling and also as the patron of SLSCO-FLAME (for the years 2004/05/06) SINCERELY THANKS whole heartedly all of you for the enormous support, dedication, contributions and sacrifices rendered to the projects, sometimes without caring for health situations. He also does apologize for any inconveniences that may have caused. M – as the project manager and the vice president to the SLSCO-FLAME and the treasure to the Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya International Buddhist Centre extends her warm hearted blessings to everyone who has been involved in many ways to make a real and remarkable difference in the history of Projects by experiencing mountains of suffering with friendliness. WE are truly indebted to Cheryl Green for without her time, dedication, excellent mediatory skills, endless support and guidance over these recent months we would not be on the threshold of a “Wonderful” offering to the needy children of Sri Lanka. Cheryl we thank you most wholeheartedly. WE would like to extend our thanks to all those volunteers and government authorities both in UK and Sri Lanka, all the member of LDNIBC, the Trustees and members of SLSCO-FLAME and also a very special thanks to the UK Charities Commission. Let us very humbly request from you to contact following information for all the future inquiries of these projects. Children’s Educational and Cultural Foundation – CECF Registered Charity In UK. Registration No: 1113225 Secretary/President 2, Red Brick Cottages, Little Hadham, Hertfordshire. SG11 2BS. Tele/Fax: 01279771024 Email: Website: www.letchworthbuddhism.com Without you we are not here today. For us FUTURE is YOU. Please do stay with us to share this noble sharing. Many more miracles sure to be happened! THANK YOU Authenticity: This report should produce to all the trustees of SLSCO-FLAME (2005) before the actual AGM. All the trustees are responsible of making comments about the true and accuracy of the report before the meeting. This will allow us to print the right version of the annual project report and save the time of the AGM. However this should approved at the meeting while every one is present after reading loudly and distributing copies to everyone present. Rev Akurala Samitha M Fleischmann Head of the centre Projects Manager/Vice President March 26th 2006 March 26th 2006 << Start < Prev 1 2 3 Next > End >>

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