As a general overview in the exercise of Social Care in our church it would be agreed that there has been over the years much involvement in the running of Children's Homes, Homes for Elders and Disabled, a large number of Day Care Centres, Nutrition Feeding Centres and a few Vocational Training Centres. However, in the deepening social crisis of poverty, youth unemployment, displacement of refugees due to the ongoing war, social problems and discord and deterioration of national and religious values, the Church is constantly reminded of the social gospel implicit in Methodism emphasized by John Wesley and witnessed in the impact of Methodism in the social turmoil of his time in Britain.

The Methodist Church is deeply indebted to overseas donors and the World Council of Churches for continued assistance in relief and rehabilitation work.

SPECIAL PROJECTS

Community Development Project - Rawatawatte Methodist Seva Sevana

The project which commenced in 1997 with the funds received from MRDF, UK, continues very successfully. The officials from MRDF, UK who visited the project sites on the earlier occasions has commented on the good work done by the Circuit and provided further funding for the continuation of the project.

This year too, the Programme Officer, MRDF, UK, Ms Samantha Tuck visited Sri Lanka and spent a couple of days at the project site as a guest of the Rawatawatte Methodist Seva Sevana. She had agreed to extend the project funds and has already released Rs 120,337/34 to commence Embroidery Sewing Training.  We are thankful to MRDF, UK for their generous support to our Church.

Mahagame Coconut Cultivation Project

Methodist Headquarters agreed for a grant of Rs 30,000/- for the project. Funds were requested by the Circuit to purchase and plant coconut seedlings, and to install a water pump to get the water supply for the project.  Funds released for clearing the land, marking, lining and digging pits for the planting of seedlings.  Water supply project has been completed.  Seedlings not yet planted.

Polwatte Pottery Project:

This project has enabled many of those who learnt Pottery work here to make a living presently by selling products made by them. However, they are not in a position to expand their work as they are unable to get a good market for their products.  Arrangements are being made to recommence work with systematic planning. 

Methodist Women's Development Project - Puliyantivu

Sewing Project is being conducted in Mahilditivu.  Young women and girls disabled due to war have formed a Society and are doing small trade individually. The fund is being used as a revolving loan.

Rehabilitation/Reconstruction and Development Projects in the North - funded by DIAKONIA : This project commenced in 1996 with the funds received from DIAKONIA ( a Swedish Church Based International Development Organisation ) A Project proposal submitted by the Jaffna Circuit was forwarded to DIAKONIA seeking funds for the Phase 03.

Jeevodhayam Farm - Relief, Development  and Rehabilitation Projects, Mannar-Murunkan.  : This project is funded by Christian Aid, UK.  The Projects in hand are Relief & Rehabilitation, Agriculture, Farming/Animal Husbandry and Poultry, Vocational Training, Health & Medical, Day Care/Nursery Education, Income Generating Projects/Rice Milling/Tractor Mechanism, Repairs and Maintenance.

Representatives from Christian Aid, UK who visited the Farm have been quite happy and impressed with the progress of the project. They have commented on the good work done. Periodical Reports and Accounts have been submitted to the donor organisations on time. They continue to support the project further

Social Service Activities in Districts :

Central District

Colombo South Circuit -At Nugegoda a project has been implemented for supplying school supplements to needy children of the society, through a sponsorship scheme. A donation of Rs 20,00/- was received from World Vision for this project.  A Medical clinic is also going on.  At Wellawatte, English classes continue.  On Saturday mornings, nourishment is given to 80 children.  The medical clinic has been temporarily suspended for lack of a Doctor.  At Maharagama, there is a Montessori and Day Care Centre.  .

Atura Matugame Circuit A development Fund loan for self employment of Rs 10,000/- was given to one person.  Support of poor children with KNH poverty eradication funds is being continued.

Jampettah-Moor Road Circuit :  Two children aged 12 and   13 from the lower income group have been encouraged to follow elocution classes and they have fared well in their recent examinations.  A student from a broken home is being sponsored as a hostel student at Wesley College.  School leavers of lower income groups are given vocational training by members of the Moor Road Society.

Uva Circuit : Welimada Day Care Centre has 92 children, supported by SLCCCA.  Plans have been drawn up to develop the Elders' Home.  Approximately 175 children attend the 3 Nursery Schools in the Circuit. 

Kandy Circuit : Centre for Empowerment of Women run by the BSR - 3 women helped through their pregnancies and 3 others in capacity building for self help. Tamil classes are held on a weekly basis.  Financial assistance was given to a family in dire straits.  Gampola Day Care Centre is functioning satisfactorily with the new building coming up. Funds were raised for this project  by holding a 'Bring & Buy' sale.

Mt Lavinia Circuit : The "Young at Heart" group and YAH Craft Group are functioning satisfactorily with many objectives. YAH Group Funded a Project - Awareness programme for Matrons of Elders' Homes will commence in May.  BSR project to assist underprivileged children in the neighbourhood is being researched and planned.

Hatton Circuit : Nutrition Feeding Centre with 35 children at Tyllery Estate, which is preently supported by SLCCCA is in the stage of closing down, as SLCCCA has withdrawn their assistance.  52 girls are being cared for at the Beaty Methodist Girls' Home.  Loans have been granted through Farms Lanka and Conference DSR.  Zinc sheets and timber were given to Kuda Oya Estate workers for roof repairs.  Children's Integration Club was inaugurated and games equipment presented to them.

Rajarata Circuit : Kattiyawa Church conducts a Pre-school for 52 children of the area.

Southern District

Rawatawatte Circuit : Exhibition and Film show to educate people on Environment with assistance of Environmental  Authority and Forest Department.  Seminar on Child Abuse under the auspices of ESCAPE was held.  School books were distributed to 120 children.  Project has been launched to train children and elders in reading and writing in Sinhala, specially those living in the vicinity of the sea shore.

Moratumulla Circuit : Repairs to houses, toilets and Medical Clinic for those in need. Day Care Center is run for 175 children with SLCCCA assistance.  Pre-schools at Moratumulla, Indibedde and Kadalana and Nutrition Project at Kadalana.  The Suhada Lanka Girls' Home, cares for 30 girls.  Sewing classes for young ladies has commenced at Moratumulla and English classes at Willorawatte.

Seeduwa Circuit : Providing Exercise books to Sunday School children at Thampola and Raddoluwa. Distribution of dry rations to those affected by drought in Hambantota District.

Kurana/Negombo Circuit : Lodging facilities for those working in the Free Trade Zone. Centre for manufacture of Mosquito nets has commenced. A Death Donation Society formed.

Katana/Miriswatte Circuit : There are two pre-schools at Miriswatte and Katana.

Minuwangoda Pethiyagoda Circuit : Pre-school and Nutrition project at Pethiyagoda caters for 27 children. English classes for villagers at Thamaragoda.  There is also a Medical Clinic, Blood Donation Campaign and Veterinary medical clinic at Pethiyagoda.  Educational classes, children's guild and Bible School at Banduragoda has commenced.

North and East District :

Puliyantivu Circuit Mahiladivu - 06 months sewing training for  20 students were provided. KNH/SLCCCA Nutrition programmes continue  At the Methodist Women's Centre, self employment loans were given to disabled women.  About 35 students and teachers are accommodated at the Methodist Girls' hotel where food and lodging is provided.

Chenkaladi : Children are provided with nutritious food.  Pregnant mothers are provided with milk food.  Loan scheme is functioning.  Peace meetings are conducted.  IPWCD Centres are functioning. 2 wells at Nediyamadhu and 1 well at Chenkaladi were built with the aid given by Rev J K Park  In addition, with his help 2 Nurseries are also functioning.  In Kaluvankerni 05 acres of land has been cultivated with cadjunuts.  At Chenkaladi, the Girls' Home, Nursery, Typing training centre and sewing training centre are functioning.  Hindu and Muslim children are benefited by these programmes. As such a social relationship is maintained among them. Through the social service activities done we can see a development in understanding and fellowship among them.

Kalmunai Circuit :  The Girls' Home and Christa Illam are continuing their work towards their goal.  IPWCD programme is going on among the poor people. At the Human Rights and Social Development seminars conducted by the NGOs our Church members also participated. To expand the services of the Christa Illam the old buildings are being renovated. There is a remarkable income on renting out the Christa Illam hall for wedding receptions, seminars and providing food and lodging to the participants.

Trincomalee Circuit : Under the Fishermen Loan scheme, with the aid of NCC, fishing nets were distributed to the fishermen in the areas of Verukal, Kethuwaram and Kalladymalai Menthal.  There is one Nursery at Aathimoddai.  50 houses project and net distribution project are going on with the help of Methodist Headquarters. A Vocational Training Programme has been started at Boys' Home and the German Embassy had given the equipment.  Garden and Anbuvalipuram Nutrition centre and Nursery are functioning.  153 children are benefited by the Muthur Day Care Centre.  As an  awareness programme among the ethnic groups, educational items were given to a school in a Sinhala village.  The Methodist Church is greatly involved in solving the problems between the Muslims and Tamils.

Kallar Circuit : Kaluwanthikudy Boys' Home and Mahiloormunai Nutrition Feeding centres continue as usual.  22 families in Mahiloormunai are provided with self employment facilities but the  activities at Palugamam, Thettathivu, Thumpankerni, Kurumanveli and Kirankulam Day Care Centres are curtailed due to financial constraints.

Point Pedro/Kaddaively Circuit : There are 40 children each at both Kaddaively Boys' Home and Pont Pedro 'Nesaham'.  The widows' self employment project 'Vasantham" is going on and 12 widows are benefiting.  In addition to these, there is a Nursery, A Vocational Training programme in Fabric Painting has also commenced.

Mannar/Murunkan Circuit : 1 Boys' Home, 2 Day-Care centres and 2 Nurseries are functioning and through these 400 children are benefited. A Farmers' Organisation was formed and a protest was made against the price of paddy. As a result now a Sathosa Branch was opened and the paddy is purchased by them at a good price.  A waiting hall for patients has been built for the Murunkan Hospital.

Valaichchenai circuit : The Children's Home with 26 children which was run by the Methodist Headquarters had been taken over the SLCCCA.  In addition there are 03 Nurseries and 1 Nutrition Centre.  Medical clinics were conducted at Kalkudah and Kiran with the help of Korean Missionary doctors.  More than 1000 people benefited by these.  With the support of the NCC, attempts are being made to start a Nursery School for the Muslim and Tamil children to bring fellowship among the ethnic groups. An organisaton has been established to bring harmony among the inter ethnic and inter religious groups.  Under-privileged villages like Pendugalchenai and Plainagar will be considered for future social service activities. A transport service to 'Oruvil' has been commenced to take the patients suffering from bone fracture for a long time, for native treatment.

Thirukkovil Circuit 40 children are studying at the Sinnamuhathuwaram Nursery school.  At Thirukovil, 68 boys are at the Boys' Home and 18 children are learing typing. At Thandiadi, 50 children are cared for under the Nutrition Programme. At Mahalchenai Nursery school 18 children are studying.  At Komari, 75 children are cared for at the Day Care Centre, 18 women are trained at the Sewing Centre, and 13 students are trained in palmyrah handicrafts.  In Urani and Thandiadi areas the weak students have been identified and special classes are being conducted for them. The Urani Church School 32 children are studying.  At Pothuvil 50 children, including Muslims and Tamils are cared for by the Nutrition Programme.

Background by courtesy