Early Childhood Education Program - Rose Charities Sri Lanka

The more we visit Rose’s programs, the more we realize how far-reaching Rose Charities Sri Lanka really is. Since 2006, Rose Sri Lanka has directly supported isolated and marginalized Tamil, Sinhalese and Muslim communities. In 2011, Rose is addressing educational needs in 9 different districts, covering a large part of not just Kalmunai but the Eastern Province.

On Thursday morning P. Latha, the sports coordinator and P. Kanalakannan, the health and nutrition coordinator took us to Chalambaikrany, a dominantly Muslim area. We visited three preschools, Zahira Preschool, Iemam Hasal Preschool and Mega Preschool where we were welcomed by teachers, parents and children. At Zahira Preschool we met a teacher that had won the ‘Best Preschool Teacher’ award from Rose in 2009. She seemed to take pride in not only her award but her children’s progress. The children were lined up in a semi circle around the teacher, some of the most well behaved 3 year olds we’ve ever seen.

At Iemam Hasali Preschool, we walked in to find children playing with red paint and crayons. There was red paint on their hands, faces and uniforms just as much as their papers. It was exciting to see the children given so much creative freedom and thoroughly enjoy their extra-curricular activities. Rose provides the preschools with art supplies and encourages teachers to balance behavioral development with fun, stimulating activities like art and singing. While in Kalmunai, Sonia has been spending time with preschool teachers to share teaching methods and improve English skills. Singing songs like “Eyes, ears, mouth and nose” and "The Hokey Pokey" has not only been fun but is an effective way to teach 3 year olds about anatomy.

We got to Mega Preschool at around 11:00 am, just as students were getting ready to go home. While the children were gathered together with their Rose backpacks, mothers and fathers came to collect them. The teacher at Mega Preschool shared that parents are increasingly supportive of early childhood development and extremely helpful to the teachers inside and outside the classroom. A mother was practicing the English words that her child had learned in class until he worked up the confidence to come up to us and introduce himself in English. I've never been more pleased to be asked "Hello, how are you? What is your name?"

We also learned that the Sri Lankan government has recently agreed to contribute milk packets to each preschool child as a snack. This contribution is the start of a cooperative relationship between Rose Charities and the Sri Lankan government to improve early childhood education in the Ampara District.

Early childhood education is one of Rose Charities’ central programs, with 14 preschools running across the Ampara District. However the program does not only improve access to early education, Rose is constantly working to improve the quality of education in each preschool. Now with government support, perhaps Rose’s model in Ampara can be applied throughout Sri Lanka in future years.

Sonia and Amanda – Rose Sri Lanka Volunteer Update

April 8th, 2011 | Author: Amanda | Edit

On our first day in Kalmunai, Anthony took us to the village of Malwatha where we saw a preschool class in progress. We were greeted with many good mornings from the children who were dressed neatly in their uniforms and Rose Charities ties. Next door, the mothers of the children were also in school, learning their own trade involving design and sewing. The preschool gives many of these young mothers the opportunity to not only educate their children but to develop useful skills. The most significant impact of this program is the importance of education which is instilled in both mothers and children.
English Classes
We’ve started a combination of traditional English classes and computer classes with the Rose staff. A class in the morning with all of the staff is delivered in the classroom.  We then have two separate computer classes with groups of 6-7 in the afternoon using the Knowledge One program. So far, we’ve covered material on phone and email etiquette, practicing phone conversations and reading out loud in class. It took a couple days to determine which staff members were intermediate and which were beginners.  One thing is for sure, despite the varying levels, ALL of the staff here are extremely keen to learn and improve their English skills. Sonia has a hard time picking a volunteer in class because everyone puts their hand up! She is excited to teach such eager students. Amanda on the other hand has taken up Tamil; language exchange!

Women’s Micro-credit Meeting
On Wednesday afternoon we attended a monthly women’s micro-credit meeting. Some women wore turquoise saris, representing the village of Natpaddimunai while others wore pink saris, representing the villages of Pandiruppu, Neelavanai and Veeracholai. The sari colors act as a unifying symbol among women of the same village, creating a large support system . At the meeting the women discussed issues around their loans and made loan payments. Many women were eager to apply for a bank loan and used the meeting to find others that were willing to co-sign with them. It was interesting to see women from different areas, who normally would not meet, band together in order to achieve economic independence.

We met a long time successful loan recipient that ran her own fishing business. With the loans she was able to slowly build up her capital and buy a boat and large fishing nets. Unfortunately, her boat and fishing nets were lost in the recent floods, however that didn’t seem to diminish her strong entrepreneurial spirit.
We also met a woman in her early twenties who had enrolled in a sewing class through Rose’s vocational training program. After graduating, she successfully applied for a micro credit loan and bought a sewing machine to start her own business. She now has enough credit to apply for a private bank loan that will enable her to expand her business. Though she is young she is a leader within the women’s group.
On Thursday we attended another women’s microcredit group in Annamalai district. Here, we saw a preschool that was initiated and built by the local women’s group in order to provide their children with a preschool education. We found that this group had similar concerns to the women in Natpaddimunai, creating groups of ten in order to apply for loans. Additionally, the women talked about their concern for their children’s education as their local school was short teachers. One woman volunteered to go and speak to the principal about their collective concerns.
Our first few days in Kalmunai have been very rewarding, we are so impressed at how much Rose is embedded in the community and how micro credit is the driving force of the organization. Most of the women who receive loans from micro credit have children involved in RCSL’s preschool, primary and secondary educational enrichment programs. As a result, these meetings are a place for women to come and not only talk about loans and their business, but also the needs of their children and families.
We are looking forward the girls’ sports meet on April 11^th and will update you on all of the fun activities. Sonia is planning to play her first cricket game!

Rose Charities Penang Malaysia sunshine !

Rose Charities Malaysia which operates out of Penang is a group of the most wonderful sunshine, welcome and friendship.  This was experienced by Mr and Mrs Bill and Jan Johnston of Rose Charities Canada and Dr Will Grut, current Sec. General of Rose Charities International who were entertained to dinners, lunches and meetings by seniour Rose Charities Malaysia members,  Mr Lawrence Cheah and Mr Vince Yeo and their wifes.  The group had a chance to visit the new office and as well as meet all the  members over a delicious steamboat dinner in old George Town - a UNESCO heritage site.  The images show images from steamboat dinner.

Malambo Grassroots Zambia:

The Savory family has been in Zambia for generations. Because of their long history helping the Tonga people of Zambia, they know virtually the entire community. An example of this would be when Tom died and nearly 2000 people came from throughout Southern Provence - both Tonga and and whites to honour him. There were hundreds more Tonga people lining the highway who had hoped for transport to the funeral because Tom and the Savory family have contributed greatly to this community with their long philanthropic history. Many of the people here are friends or are known to the Savory family especially the 600 Tonga people living on the farm. I would estimate that 99% of our current donations are because we know the people in this community and donors like to know where their funding is going.

Money is given out here with considerable forethought, clarity, procedure, and consideration of what is best for the community. The scholarship program is very organized - we have folders and folders of paper work and strict guidelines requirements for receiving scholarship money. Currently the majority of children benefitting from the scholarships live on the farm , however, many of the children here have been sent specifically to the farm from outlying communities to live with their grandparents or an uncle/family member just so they can be eligible for the scholarships. So technically this money goes to students from many surrounding communities.

Money  also goes to toward more personal expenses like getting an operation for Hilda who has been suffering in hospital for over a month with a broken femur. She has no money to pay for the operation, nor money to have a family member come with her to Lusaka to take care of here and prepare food as there is no food in hospital. So from personal money Hilda will be receive her operation. She is a pillar in the community and a trained community nurse. She works at the clinic on the farm which is open to all Zambians.

Money has always gone to specific projects - such as rebuilding the grade 5 class room on the farm last year. This school is a government school (not a farm school) and caters to the farm and two outlying communities. The Malambo Women's Society and Lusumpoko are income generating groups for women that also serve three communities - the farm community and two outlying communities. We bring indigenous NGO's for talks and workshops on themes requested by the community. Invitations are sent out to three neighbouring communities for these talks and they are frequently broadcast on Southern province radio in the local language for all to hear.

Last year we brought school supplies to three schools in three different communities - all government run schools. We have fundraised for those schools this year and will be going to visit them in the next few days to see how we can best put the donations to use.

Today we had a young boy from Mujika who is receiving a scholarship from us. This afternoon we are going to Mujika, the next community over, to offer another scholarship to a female student and to see how our fundraising for their school can be put to use.
Our discretionary fund is never given out in an arbitrary way. For example if we budget 350,000 Kwacha for our new chicken project and we go over budget, we would take extra money from our discretionary fund to make sure the project succeeds.

One example is woman who just came  to the house from Mujika who has no connection at all to the farm. She has one more exam to write so that she can become an primary school teacher and she needs the fee to write the exam. Our discretionary fund is perfect for this.

Over the last several years, of the teachers trained in Zambia, 50% have died of AIDS. Teachers are one of the most important jobs here.

And lastly, we will be expanding into Siavonga this year - three hours from the farm. We are going to Listu next week - one of the poorest places in the country - we have no connections there and know no one.

A message from Trish Gribben, chair, Rose Charities NZ

Greetings for New Year 2011 Everyone!
It is going to be a most exciting year with great projects on the Rose NZ calendar.
I have hardly come back to earth since paragliding in late November with the heavenly Himalayas stretching their pure white peaks against the blue blue sky.  To be more exact, my flight took off from Senekot, a village above Pokhara, and it was the Annapurna range with the sacred mountain, Machupachare, backgrounding my view……and what made me feel even more airborne that day was quite astonishing news I had just received about Rose NZ’s latest project.
The backstory goes like this: In 2008 Rose NZ brought ophthalmologist Dr Basant Sharma, a director of the Lumbini Eye Institute, to New Zealand for three weeks professional development. He stayed with us in our home and charmed everyone who met him.
Naturally, when I went to Nepal recently in a group of 15 people with Footprints, I asked if a visit to Lumbini could be on the itinerary to visit Basant. John McKinnon who, with his wife Diane, leads Footprints tours, is a retired ophthalmologist so he too was keen to visit the Institute. (The McKinnons were the first doctor and teacher in Sir Ed Hillary’s first Sherpa hospital in the Kumbu and this year celebrate the 50^th anniversary of that pivotal time in their lives.)
Lumbini is in the southern Terai, or the plains area of Nepal near the border with India, and it is also a World Heritage site as the birthplace of Buddha. There was a double reason for going there.
Our time at the Lumbini Eye Institute(LEI), hosted by Basant, made a big impact on us all as we took in the extraordinary “production line” of the outpatient clinics overflowing with people patiently waiting to be registered, assessed for surgery or glasses, then being treated. The flow embraces 800 patients a day, with a dozen ophthalmologists doing 200 cataract operations every day, in three operating theatres, each with four operating tables.  In the area where glasses are dispensed, people were thronging as deeply as those on an Indian railway station about to catch a train. Not surprising when you learn that the catchment population for the LEI is 20 million poor people, many of them coming from India. The Nepali government contributes not a rupee to the work.
Still reeling from the intensity of visiting the LEI, we set off on the dusty pot-holed road to Kapilavastu where, about an hour’s bus ride away, a rural outpost eye clinic operates from an unfinished two-storey building, able to give only rudimentary diagnosis and treatment of basic eye problems.

The road to Kapilavastu winds back more than 2500 years. It was there that Prince Siddhartha lived a royal existence in palaces that are currently being revealed by archeologists. It was from Kapilavastu that he set off, aged 29, in search of the meaning of life, suffering and enlightenment. But it was not the Buddha’s story that captivated us most that day.
We were welcomed at the local eye clinic with kata, the white scarves of greetings, and leis of marigolds by the village District Health Committee, and were shown around the unfinished building. We were told how funding sources had dried up and of plans that money could make come true. We heard how the clinic, which would draw on a similar catchment of 20 million poor people, could offer cataract surgery, how the LEI as the parent body could send more eye surgeons if equipment was permanently there, how the distressing rate of eye problems in young and old could be reduced. We heard how the clinic could become self-sustaining within a short time of its establishment.
The amounts needed for the project are estimated at $US10,000 for the completion of the building and $US20,000 for the equipment needed, including a generator to cope with the major power outages that are standard — about 18 hours a day WITHOUT power.
As Basant translated, we all listened carefully and asked questions. As chairperson of Rose NZ I spoke briefly, saying I would take their story in my heart and mind back to our trustees in NZ, but it was impossible for me to give any promises on the spot. I left with the faces of the district committee, so trusting and hopeful, carved on my mind. Every member of our group was moved and impressed.

Now, Fast Forward to nearly a week later when we were walking on a ridge at Senekot where the morning sun was burning off the mists over Pokhara. My friend Basant tells me that a glimpse of the Himalayas is enough to purify the soul; that day, with the full glory of the mighty Annapurna peaks rising before us, our souls must have been squeaky clean.
As I walked along the mountain tracks, starting to contemplate paragliding, my fellow travellers fell quietly into step beside me. By the time I took to the skies the clinic at Kapilavastu had been promised $NZ10,000 by my generous companions.
The Rose NZ Nepal project for 2011 was taking off!  Is it any wonder I was nearly over the moon?
Within a week of my homecoming, Rose NZ trustees formally and unanimously approved the Nepal rural eye clinic project. We will help make it happen, alongside our on-going commitment to the Rose Eye Clinic In Phnom Penh, Cambodia. There are exciting developments in Cambodia  too —- but that’s another story: See News from Phnom Penh (pip/will: can it be a link to click on?)

Watch this space for fundraising news as 2011 ticks along.

TO DONATE:
Anyone wishing to donate to the Kapilavastu Rural Eye Clinic should send a cheque made out to Rose Charities New Zealand
c/- Rose Treasurer Jane Midgley
Midgleys and Partners
P.O. Box 3714
Christchurch, 8015

Rose Charities Cambodia Surgical Center  ( RC CSC )

It is hard to be in need of surgery in Cambodia if you are poor.  Surgical services are limited and can be far beyond the means of many of the population.  The Rose Charities Cambodia Surgical Center  (RC CSC)  has been meeting this need since its founding at the Kien Khleang National Rehabiliation Center, in 1998 and has since treated thousands needing life saving, or quality of life enhancing surgical procedures.   It is amazing how a relatively simple procedure like the release of an arm fused to the body from an  burn, can turn a life around.

The center was started initially as an offshoot of an eye surgery program, Project IRIS both founded by the same Canadian physician.  One of the  most pressing initial needs was a  facility which would provide a surgical service to prepare the limbs of land mine victims for artificial limbs.   The founder - Dr William Grut - saw that, although there were several excellent prosthetic organizations in Cambodia in the early 1990’s the surgical facilities were not adequate to match the demands. It is almost impossible to simply fit an artificial limb onto a stump which has not been surgically prepared.

In addition there was recognition of  a host of relatively simple surgical procedures which if carried out  would give a huge benefit in terms of quality of life, income generation  and self esteem to both the recipient as well as her / his family and community.  Examples of such were cleft lip and palate operations,  burns, congenital and acquired deformities and even slow growing tumors.

Cleft lip and palate for example will, if untreated  ‘sentence’ the sufferer to a life of marginalization, possible malnutrition, low income, no education and loneliness.    Rose Charities Cambodia Surgical Centre  has over its 12 years in existence operated on hundreds of cases. In addition the center links with the  organizations Smile Train and Operation Rainbow (which specialize in this area) and its staff contribute their time also to Operation Smile missions within both Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.  Between these organizations, thousands have been given 'new lives' again.

Rose Charities was one of the first organizations in Cambodia to recognize and act to assist victims of deliberate acid burns.   Both local and international expertise has, and continues to be employed for  the surgical assistance of these tragic victims who can be of almost any age,  from children (many of whom are caught in-between acid throwing incidents) to adults.  The cases can be very severe and can require many different levels and types of surgery.   Rose Charities USA assists local groups in Cambodia who try to provide employment and training for the victims once medical / surgical procedures are completed.

Apart from the more routine procedures, over the years more unusual sad cases have been identified and treated.  One such of these is a condition known as meningo-encephalocoele where there is an out-pouching of the brain and brain covering out through the front of the skull of the patient albeit still covered by skin. It is seen as a lump on the face of varying degree. The surgery needed will vary according to severity: one tiny baby ’Loy’  with an extremely severe case was sent by Rose Charities to Toronto  where surgery was generously donated for his cure.  Others though have been successfully treated by Rose Charities Surgeons in Cambodia itself.

Another condition often requiring graft and plastic surgery is that of ‘Noma’. This is a type slowly progressive infection which has a slow ‘flesh eating’ manifestation.   Once the infection is halted and eliminated, then surgery must be used to replace or repair the damage which the victim has suffered.

Recently a little 5 year old boy was discovered far out in the country side  by another organization  Village Health Development  who has a completely fused jaw. The birth attendant who helped deliver him drilled a small hole in his gums through which he has been taking in liquid food. He had never seen a doctor.   Little ‘Tot’ is scheduled for operation and rehab follow up in early 2011.  Such is the variation of patient conditions, child to adult,  that are seen at RC CSC

The Rose Charities Cambodia Surgical Center  is a  member project of the Rose Charities International Network .  This network  has active programs in 14 countries and member or interest groups in 22.  Focus areas are not only health but span education, micro-credit and other poverty reduction programs,  disability assistance,  and emergency relief. 

 Within Cambodia, Rose Charities now runs four project centers.  1)  Eye surgery / sight restoration  (Rose Charities Sight Center) ,   2)  Cambodia  Surgery  Center,  3) Physical and Holistic Rehabiliation Center   and 4)  Education Support Program.   All programs are aimed at assisting the poor and/or those in need of medical/surgical/rehabilitative assitance.    In  2002 , following a major theft and looting,  the main surgery component of the project was shifted from its ‘medically risky’  site to a proper Ministry of Health Hospital (Chea Chumneas)  under a new name of Operation FIRST,    and  linked properly into the evolving Cambodian health system.  The eye unit, which has assisted around 90,000 patients since 2002 (the looting affected this component also) remained in its original site.    The Rose Rehabilitation (physiotherapy and holistic rehab center) was founded early 2010 by Rose Charities Australia  and supports  the surgical serviced with both international and local expertise as well as running an outreach program.

The Rose Charities network is a group of organizations which cover a wide span of project types.  One thing though that they have in common is the philosophy of  transparency,  ground level effectiveness,  minimum or zero administration costs, and person-to-person assistance.    Many of the Rose Charities organizers have come from ‘field work’ and know well the gap between reality on the ground and glossy promotions in donor countries.  Rose Charities projects are all locally run and, apart from assisting the poor, are focused on helping develop the Cambodian health system.  Some  projects employ  highly paid expatriates who unfortunately often do very to create health projects sustainable into the future by Cambodia. 

The Rose Charities Cambodia 'CSC'  (Cambodia Surgical Center and Cambodia Sight Center) projects , along with RRC (Rose Rehabiltation Cambodia) and the Rose Education  / Disability assistance programs rely very heavily on the generosity of donors world wide.  Please see   www.RoseCharities.Org   to donate - and thank you.

From orphans to photocpopiers.....


Here is an excerpt from a message from Marylee Banyard, who is now in Zambia. On a recent trip into the nearby town of Monze, she encounters both old and new, from technology to polygamy to children orphaned by AIDS:

"We have laminating facilities in Monze now. It sort of works, but is a little gimpy. Photocopying too… the page comes out with a dark mass at the top.

"The man there gave me a big lecture about, “Why is it always women and orphans? What about the MEN!” He said he is a grandfather supporting an orphan at Zimba school. He also said that he was born in a hut, not a hospital, and BaTonga culture has good midwives. We foreigners don’t understand Tonga culture.

"I said we should go have a cup of coffee, as he was continually being interrupted and dealing with all sorts of people with issues while he was arguing with me and trying to laminate.

"He also said women bring it on themselves because they don’t have to be second and third wives. They have choice. [ed: Polygamy is still legal in Zambia.]

"From him I went to see Sister Lontia at the St Vincent de Paul Community School in Monze. We discussed many things. Concerning second and third wives, she pointed out their usual circumstances of poverty and insecurity. The children they bring with them into the marriages are often not accepted by the new husband, and the real father has probably died or vanished.

"She has 204 children in the school, of which 123 are orphans, and 77 are “vulnerable”. Sometimes the economic pressure is too great for families and children are abandoned. Although the school tries to charge K5,000 ($1.25 Canadian) per term (3 terms a year ) the school accepts all, even if they can’t pay. They are Catholic Mission funded."

"A student from St Vincent de Paul Community School paints a mural on the school walls. The Zambian flag flies high above."[/caption]

Reflection on Haitian Paediatric Nurses

November 29th, 2010 | Author: Terri

Karen Schafer doing classroom instruction

Berni assisting with CPR practice

Teaching neonatal resuscitation

Fernande Charles presenting completion certificates

The following post was written by Berni Koppe:
From October 9th – 24th I had the privilege of going to Haiti as part of the 3 person team whose goal was to provide neonatal nursing education in Port au Prince. Here are some thoughts I would like to share about this amazing experience.
The nurses work under extremely difficult conditions. They care for as many as 15 children in different rooms. There is virtually no functioning equipment to assist the nurses in caring for severely ill neonates.They never wilted in the heat nor complained of being tired or overwhelmed.  Despite these challenging conditions these nurses have not lost their sense of humour and their ability to laugh.
These nurses were very grateful for this seminar as there is little opportunity for continuing education after graduation. They were totally engaged in the teaching.  Many of them came to class with questions about the previous days teaching which to me demonstrated critical thinking on the content. One nurse attended the teaching at 9:00 a.m after completing her night shift at 6:00 that morning.
If I could use one sentence to describe this amazing group of nurses it would “dignified and with grace under extreme pressure”.
Their parting words were “please don’t forget us and please come back”.
Berni

Posted in Haiti