Time flies. We are already approaching the end of the year and we still owe you a news item. This time of the year invites to read the news item by the fire side. We hope you enjoy it. Topics:
- The current emergency situation in Sri Lanka
- In memoriam: Father Avalin;
- The call to contribute ideas for fundraising activities, because we have many wonderful projects underway that require financial support;
- The visit of Mirjam and André van den Berg to Sri Lanka and Anna’s Home
- The well-filled container that is on its way to Sri Lanka by sea, with our project area as its final destination;
- The status of the many – old and new – projects: highlighted: the “FAITH” projects and the project focused on the welfare of deaf and physically disabled people in our project area;
- Our Christmas greetings.
The current (emergency) situation in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is currently experiencing its worst ever emergency situation as a result of a natural disaster, Cyclone Ditwah. The cyclone, accompanied by storms and torrential rain, has caused flooding, landslides and mudslides. Houses and even villages have been completely swept away by the mud. Hundreds of people have died and the number of missing persons is still uncertain, as not all areas are accessible. The entire country is in shock.
With the rainy season approaching, we fear the worst for the residents in our project area. Father Ramesh drives around the area every day, distributing food, drinking water and clothing to people who have lost everything. The current situation is considered to be more serious than after the 2004 tsunami, the disaster that led to the establishment of Havonos. It is more serious, because at that time it was mainly the coastal areas that were affected, whereas now the entire country has been hit and the infrastructure is severely destroyed.
During his daily visits to the affected areas in the north, Father Ramesh takes the time to update Chairman Sieni on the situation. Sometimes the connection is suddenly lost due to power outages or internet failures. Because of all this, the Havonos board recently decided, in consultation with Wilde Ganzen, to put the projects on hold and focus all attention on providing emergency aid. Fortunately, we are receiving help from newspapers (Stentor and Weekblad van Salland), churches, supermarkets, and many who spontaneously support us financially after reading our messages on social media. We are extremely grateful, as are the people on the ground. Ramesh said: ‘The people in my country are given hope that things will get better when they realise that there are people in a country thousands of kilometres away who care about them and are committed to helping them.’ Click here for more photos
A lot of money is still needed, which is why we are extremely happy and grateful that the Soroptimist club SallAnders Raalte-Nijverdal has decided to take action to provide emergency aid. Earlier this year, the club supported the Havonos project Anna's Home by selling violins; now they are taking action so that we can provide emergency aid. How wonderful is that?
In memoriam: Father Avalin
With great sadness and gratitude for what he meant to his people, we announce the passing of Father Avalin. A young priest, full of energy and passion, including the teaching and working farm in Iyakachchi, which he oversaw for several years. Fr. Avalin, Fr. Ramesh, and other priests were on a week-long retreat. On his way home, Avalin died in a motorcycle accident. The evening before his passing, chairperson Sieni saw and spoke with Fr. Avalin via video call with Fr. Ramesh. He told her he would call her back in a few days to discuss a request. He wanted the building, for which he is responsible, to be equipped with chairs and tables so that people and children could sit comfortably. This didn't happen; within 24 hours, he was gone. Our thoughts are with his family and fellow priests. The Havonos board has unanimously decided to honor the memory of our esteemed and beloved Father Avalin by fulfilling his wish. Unfortunately, we have to postpone this for a while, as our attention is now focused on providing emergency aid, but it will be alright.
Fundraising campaigns for both emergency aid and the Havonos projects: who would like to contribute ideas and help?
Of course, we would appreciate your donations (NL89 RABO 0120 6189 23) in the name of the Havonos Foundation. For emergency aid? Please mention this in the description). However, we are also looking for people or clubs such as the Soroptimist Club who can come up with and organise fundraising activities for us. Do you have a good idea? Please contact chairperson Sieni Schouten (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 06 37644715) or board member Els Holland (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). They can support your campaign with materials such as a PowerPoint presentation. Let your creative spirit flow; we are ready to hear your ideas and help you where possible!
Mirjam and André van den Berg visiting Anna's Home
Anna's Home has been a Havonos project for a long time. For years, we have been supporting the Sisters of Good Shepherd in their work, caring for girls who have been abused and later abandoned by their families. Our donations are intended for the care of the girls, i.e. food, drink, clothing and education.
When she left the Havonos board, Mirjam van den Berg indicated that she wanted to be the contact person for the Anna's Home project. During her visits to Sri Lanka, she had taken the girls and the people who cared for them into her heart. She raised money through activities at the school where Mirjam worked until her retirement. She also organised sponsored walks and represented Havonos at the flower (violets) campaign organised by the Soroptimist Club SallAnders Raalte-Nijverdal. In recent years, she has also visited Anna's Home regularly during her holidays.
This year, Mirjam retired and decided to take the opportunity to take her husband André to Sri Lanka, so that he could see the project Mirjam is committed to with his own eyes. Mirjam wrote a report of their visit.
The well-filled container en route to Sri Lanka by sea
The ship carrying the container has now arrived in Colombo. Given the current situation in the country and the urgent need for emergency aid, we would almost overlook the joy it brings us that so many people have made it possible to fill the container with all kinds of goods intended for the projects. Many people here in the Netherlands have contributed to this by donating goods or helping to pack them so that they could be taken along. We are very grateful for their support and commitment.
Every cloud has a silver lining: the container had not yet arrived during Cyclone Ditwah. So the wheelchairs, walkers, computers, clothing, household goods, and much more, too much to mention, were spared the effects of the cyclone. In our next newsletter, we hope to be able to show you photos of the reception and distribution of some of the goods.
The current status of the many projects, both old and new
At the time of writing, it is not yet entirely clear what the consequences of Cyclone Ditwah will be for the projects. We do know animals drowned during the floods at the educational/working farm. The FAITH women are also struggling, as they grow their own vegetables and herbs. During the Havonos board meetings, Father Ramesh is always present at the beginning of the meeting to update us on the projects. One thing is certain: the people involved in the projects are 100% committed and there are or were great results to report.
We would like to highlight two projects: the FAITH women and the project set up with the money raised during the sponsor dinner on 23 March.
As mentioned, the FAITH women are currently struggling as a result of the natural disaster. Fortunately, the wells that were dug for them have been spared, which is a huge relief. Hundreds of women in the region are now organised into groups under the FAITH banner.
A group consists of a maximum of 20 women. They initially work together to learn from each other. Then, the group splits into two groups of 10 women. They agree on their focus. This could be sewing, wickerwork with Palmyra leaves, growing vegetables, or spices like chili peppers. The 10 women have room to expand, so new women join until a new group of 20 is formed. In this way the FAITH project grows in a short time and they are successful under the guidance of Father Ramesh.
The 20th anniversary project
The other project we're highlighting here is the one made possible with support from Wilde Ganzen and the proceeds from the sponsored dinner celebrating the 20th anniversary.
With this money, nearly 30 deaf and/or physically disabled people have completed a wonderful program. The program focused on strengthening their self-confidence and inner strength through training and coaching, and on learning a trade, such as sewing, masonry, ARI work, weaving with Palmyra leaves, brick making, carpentry, and so on.
The project has now been successfully completed, and they have jobs. How wonderful is that?
Our Christmas Greetings
In 2025, we were able to accomplish a great deal. Currently, all our attention is focused on providing emergency aid, but rest assured: as soon as the water has receded and the north of the country is ready again, we will resume our projects. What we have been able to do thus far would not have been possible without your help and support. We are immensely grateful for that.
For ourselves, we hope that we can also count on your attention and support in the new year.
In 2026, too, "our people" in Sri Lanka desperately need that attention and support, because it gives them hope. Hope that is necessary not to give up, but to tackle the consequences of the natural disasters and clean up their future. This way, they can rebuild their future.
That concludes this news item. We hope and wish that, despite the sometimes painful and sad topics, you have enjoyed reading it. We also appreciate your feedback in that regard. See you in 2026!
Kind regards,
The Havonos Board
We conclude with Father Ramesh's Christmas message.
