A dinner held Friday, Nov. 21 at the home of Naresh Gunaratnam and Aruna Sarma was an unqualified success, bringing in donations of more than $24,000 and adding more than 20 sponsors to the network of VeAhavta friends and supporters.
The donations will greatly help the mission of the Grace Care Center orphanage and elder home in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, which has struggled in recent months against escalating costs resulting from the renewed civil conflict.
In spite of the challenges, VeAhavta volunteers believe that the benefit dinner marks a new beginning for the orphanage. Those who attended viewed a video assembled by Ben Weatherston that provided an overview of Grace Care Center, the challenges of third-world poverty and a 25-year civil conflict, and VeAhavta's ongoign commitment to our friends in Trincomalee.
"Many who had never heard of Grace were moved by the concept," Naresh said after the event. Attendees were very generous, at times making contributions of $1,000 each or "sponsoring" the purchase of cows that will help reduce expenses at the orphanage."I think we got our heads above water, and it's now time to swim to shore to the beautiful beach called Grace Home."
Beginning with the December "Through Their Eyes" newsletter, VeAhavta's new-and-old friends will learn more about the children and elders being sponsored, and upcoming events to further assist the orphanage. A benefit concert is being planned for Jan. 18 featuring Blues Infusion, a group including doctors from St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, with special guest star Mitch Ryder, who will appear at a meet-and-greet "V.I.P." reception before the show.
VeAhavta would like to thank the invaluable contributions and efforts of The Moveable Feast Catering and Bombay Boutique in helping make this event a tremendous success.

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Recent developments with VeAhavta and our friends in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka

Grace Care Center operations to be supervised by Executive Committee based in Michigan
Beginning November 1, Eric Parkinson will move into an advisory role with VeAhavta, while a new executive committee, to be chaired by Dr. Naresh Gunaratnam, will take over the day-to-day operations of the Grace Care Center and will make management and policy recommendations directly to the VeAhavta Board of Directors. The committee will also be in charge of making fundraising recommendations.
It is hoped, by both VeAhavta and the staff, children and elders of Grace, that a renewed interest in "Saving Grace" will stabilize funding for the orphanage. A committee has been assembled with Naresh, Cheryl Huckins and Lynn Helland to review the Grace Care Center's finances and management. Other committees are forming to explore self-sustaining projects, media efforts, fund-raising activities and other facets of VeAhavta.

Funds struggled to meet needs
Shortly after the tsunami of December, 2004, the fragile cease-fire between the Government of Sri Lanka and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam began unraveling. Costs in Sri Lanka escalated along with the renewed war. Well-intentioned plans for new projects or programs at Grace Care Center were, unfortunately, unable to be launched as the stability of the orphanage was threatened. Staff hadn't been paid, food rations were instituted and current programs - to include the day care operation - were canceled or reduced. Fund-raising and sponsorship plans are expected to restore financial stability, after which future projects can be considered.

Dinners, concerts and other plans
A benefit dinner will be held at the home of Naresh Gunaratnam on Friday, Nov. 21, to encourage donations and sign up sponsors for the children and elders of Mercy Home. A January concert is being planned featuring Blues Infusion - musical doctors from St. Joseph Mercy Hospital - with special guest Mitch Ryder. A "meet and greet" VIP reception will be held, offering donors a chance to meet Ryder and obtain an autographed biography written by VeAhavta volunteer Jim Mitchell.

'Through Their Eyes' to renew monthly publication
Updates and news will be made available to volunteers, donors and friends on this website in 'Through Their Eyes,' featuring profiles of the children, elders and donors, updates on VeAhavta projects and news from Sri Lanka. A December edition is expected to review progress on sponsorships and donations.

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