Grace Review -
A Monthly Journal of the News from the Grace Care Center
By James A. Mitchell, VeAhavta Press Officer

September began -- as so many months do in Sri Lanka – with hopes for peace in the aftermath of violence. The earliest days of August were scarred with casualties as the island nation appeared, again, on the brink of war.

Quietly, on Aug. 31, the Grace Care Center in Trincomalee marked the passage of four years since being established by VeAhavta. The children’s home welcomed the first of its resident girls to the promise of hope in a country with precious little after two decades of civil war. more

Meet Tharshala, Grace Girls Home

Visitors to Grace Care Center in recent months have no difficulty identifying Tharshala Mahendran. “The one with the smile,” is the often-used description, and one easily understood. A sweet, friendly 11-year-old, Tharshala first came to Grace home on Dec. 31, 2005, barely one year after the tsunami devastated the region. Her father has not been seen since the day of the tragedy; her mother relocated to the Middle East and is no longer in contact with Tharshala. more

Returning to Grace
Volunteers leave home to go back where they belong
By James A. Mitchell, VeAhavta Press Officer

For VeAhavta founder and President Eric Parkinson, his most recent visit to Trincomalee, Sri Lanka was not much different than his first. Eric traveled -- then and now -- with supplies, donations and, “Life saving equipment,” he said, a statement true in more ways than one.

“The first time I went to Sri Lanka, I traveled alone and I carried three suitcases filled with medication donated by Merck Pharmaceuticals,” Eric said. That was in 2001, before the cease-fire accord offered the false promise of peace, three years before the Dec. 26, 2004 tsunami made an impossible situation even more difficult. more

Volunteer Profile: Erin Whaley (half of the Wonder Twin duo)

Occupation:  Middle School teacher
Age:  29
Favorite Activities:  Spending time with my family (especially my niece and nephew), reading, playing volleyball
Favorite Food:  American -- mashed potatoes, Sri Lankan - Brinjal chutney (Angela and Daisy make the best!)
Favorite Quote:  “The soul should always stand ajar, ready to welcome the ecstatic experience” -- Emily Dickenson
Sign:  Aries (no stubborn ram jokes please)
Biggest Bummer:  I wish that I could be in so many different places at once!  There are too many amazing people to spend time with and not enough time to do it.
What did you do at Grace?  I worked on reviewing and assessing the girls’ education.  I talked with their teachers and principal, as well as other education professionals from the country, to try to understand Sri Lanka’s educational system and how to best support the Grace Girls in their studies.  I reviewed the girls’ assessment scores and identified common areas of weakness, which can be used to direct their study sessions.  I assisted the girls with their study time, primarily focusing on their English studies, and worked to assist the Grace staff and their English tutors with the tools necessary to increase the girls’ comprehension.  I was fortunate on this last trip to also be able to spend time with Rev. Jey and see other youth hostels and schools in the Batticaloa area.  In addition, I spent some quality time with my Grace/Mercy friends and family. more

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