What's New
Reaching out to children orphaned in Sri Lanka
by Sultan Jessa, Cornwall Standard-Freeholder, June 2005
A city dentist, spearheading a new humanitarian organization to help underprivileged children in Sri Lanka, says she will personally ensure all money raised locally will go where it is needed the most.
"Every penny we raise will go to help the children," said Dr. Rachel Navaneelan, chair of Rachel's Kids.
"I intend to take these funds personally to be distributed among the children."
Rachel's Kids is holding its first major fundraiser, which includes a live charity auction, on June 5.
Although no precise goal has been set, Navaneelan is confident the initial event will raise between $20,000 and $25,000.
The dentist and her husband, Christy, an anesthetist, have planned a two-week trip to Sri Lanka with their two children at the end of the year.
While there, they will visit children's camps in country's northern and southern areas.
A couple of hundred children in Sri Lanka -- formerly Ceylon -- have been orphaned and displaced because of past ethnic disturbances.
TSUNAMI VICTIMS
Many more children were brought to the camps following last December's devastating earthquake and tsunami, which hit 11 countries in Southeast Asia and East Africa.
"I have been financially contributing in the past to the best of my capability in a small way to support these children," said Navaneelan.
Four months after the tsunami struck the area, the initial assistance and public interest around the world has already faded and these children have been forgotten, she said.
Navaneelan said very little support has reached the children after the tsunami.
"The situation has gotten much worse," she said.
Children at the camps range in age from infants to 14.
The Standard-Freeholder is one of the sponsors of the event which will be held at 1651 Blakely Dr.
"We hope to make this fundraiser an annual event," she said.
"In future years, half the money we raise will be for local charities."
Rachel's Kids has already applied for official charity status from Ottawa.
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