Commemoration of International Women's Day 2010

Caritas Kandy (SETIK), HR Unit, organized the international women’s day for the plantation and rural community on 27th March 2010 at Greenwood International School, Matale. The purpose of this ceremony was to lay emphasis on the responsibility towards protecting women’s rights, by way of building up environmental strategies for active participation.

There were 500 participants. This programme was conducted in Sinhala and Tamil languages under the topic of “Eradication of Domestic Harassment and Violation against Women”. Police officer in charge of women’s bureau, Kandy, Mrs. Bamunusinghe was the resource person. During the session many issues were discussed and decided to handover a memorandum to the Ministry of Child and Women’s affair.

Rev. Fr. Camillus D. Jansz, Director-SETIK, Rev. Fr. Roy Clarence, Director of Migrant Commission, Rev. Fr. Harold Thamel, Parish Priest of Matale, Officer in charge of Crime Division, Matale Police Station, Officer in charge of Child and Women’s Division, Matale Police Station and few Attorney-at-Lawyers were present.

During the day, there were cultural events took place in order to give more brightness to the international women’s day 2010.

At the end of the programme, a memorandum was presented to the Resource Person, (Police Officer in charge of Child and Women’s Division, Kandy Police Station), to hand over to the Child and Women’s Affairs Ministry.

Celebration of Thai Pongal Festival

The Thai Pongal celebrations in Kandy, Rattota and Hatton held on 16/01/2010, aiming at fostering Ethnic, Peace and Harmony, under the patronage of Rev. Fr. Camillus D. Jansz, Director-SETIK, staffs and Rainbow children numbering 110 altogether. Ceremony at Mahaiyawa Hindu Temple, was graced by delivering both in Sinhala and Tamil languages.

Celebrations at Rattota Mairmuttu Hindu temple attended to, by, Rev. Wimalarathna Thero of Ganetenna, Rev. Sr. Bertha and Rev. Sr. Calista of Rattota Holy Family Convent at which Resource Person Mr. M. Mohanraj, delivered a speech.

At the same time, Pooja conducted at Hatton Siva Subramaniam Kovil, well attended by SETIK staff inclusive of children, where the children were enlightened the prevalence of cultural unity among ethnic groups.

Events
June to December 2009

The Commemoration of the Poson Full Moon Day

The Poson full moon day has a significant recognition among the Buddhists of Sri Lanka, where doctrines are concerned.
Several aspects of 2400 years old, existence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, embarked by King and his Ministers.
On 27th of June 2009, celebrated Poson Bakthi gee at SETIK, with the participation of Children of various religions which attended by Buddhists and Christian priests, Religious sisters, Mowlawar and religious leaders and parents.

International Youth Day 2009

Conducted on 23rd August 2009 by ‘SETIK’ Youth unit at Hantana, with the participation of 184 youths respectively from Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya.
Screening “Meth Sevana” short film to eradicate addiction of youth, in liquor and drugs and to build up a violence free society, in the central province had been the objective of this programme, and at its conclusion one year planning launched to form a prevention group, consisting of 29 altogether.

Exposure Programme for Migrant’s Children

The exposure programme to migrant children of an age group of 8-15 years who were to participate Nuwara Eliya Deanery, Migrant’s Commission, on 26th September 2009, at the personality development programme, Gampola, Ambuluwawa, inter religious centre, Peradeniya botanical gardens followed by, personality development programme, at Pallekele as well.
The migrant’s children who attended Nuwara Eliya Deanery programme did not have any background, knowledge in environmental aspects, since birth.
Paying respect at Gampola, Ambuluwawa, inter religious centre, gathered knowledge similarly visiting Peradeniya botanical gardens, and gathered knowledge about plants and to try them out in their home gardens, by sharing their feelings about the plantation and village level, peaceful environment prevailed at the Pallekele camp fire, held.

Current Issues

Participating 230 workers on current issues on a seminar, based on basic problems experienced by workers, at Hatton, Shakthi Hall.
* Theme had been the plantation sector wages problems and collective agreement implications.
* The three activities at field level to development programme are as follows.
1. Opening of Libraries
2. Shramadana Campaigns
3. Literary classes and
4. organization of community based issues
A memorandum with 250 workers signatures caused to be submitted had been prepared to be addressed to the Ministers and Parliament respectively.

Universal Children’s Day Celebrations

Participating 400 children, SETIK Kandy celebrated the Universal Children’s day on Saturday the 10th October 2009, at Kandy Police Stadium under the patronage of Rt. Rev. Dr. Vianney Fernando, the Bishop of Kandy, in association with Very Rev. Fr. Milroy Fonseka, Archdeacon of Kandy, Ven. Kosgala Gnanaseeha Thero and other religious leaders, Kandy, District Secretary, OIC Kandy, Child and Women Bureau, respectively.

This year programme focussed on the following;
1. Social Impact of the Children - With the disposal of banners and placards representing procession of Ethnic groups, commenced from Kandy, Hindu Kovil.
2. Knowledge - Placards with the depiction of the following proceeded.
* Child Protection Policy
* Value of Education
* Value of Children to the Nation
* Opinions and advises to the children
* Beauty of Childhood
3. Relaxation - By provision of resourceful contribution from popular comedy actor, Anton Jude, conducted a musical programme to mark the occasion.

Commemoration of the Universal Human Rights Day

Commission for Justice Peace Human Development Human Rights Secretariat, which known as “SETIK”, commemorated the day targeting rural and plantation sector in the Central Province, on 10th December 2009 at Kandy, Postal Complex Auditorium.
Object of this programme sponsored by CAFOD was to draw state attention on human rights issues of villages and plantation sectors.
540 participants were attended. Mr. Saibudeen and Mrs. Sobana Rajendran, of Peradeniya University were the Resource persons of this programme. Besides, other religious dictionaries too participated along with respective other state connected officers.Kandurara City FM, radio channel live telecast of this programme taken place to our credit.

Training Programme on Social Development

In order to develop talents, attitudes and knowledge about the social development of the community leaders in rural plantation sectors, a training programme was held in Baptist Church, Matale on 19th September 2009.

This programme was organized and conducted by the SET (Safe Environment in Tea Estates) project staff of SETIK with the courtesy of CRS. This programme will conduct quarterly.
On 19-09-2009 we conducted the first session of this programme with the participation of 45 community leaders under the theme of ‘Community Leadership & Leadership Aspects’.

The opening session held on 19th September 2009 with the participation of 45 community leaders.

Helping hands for our brothers and sisters in the war affected areas in Sri Lanka

The major challenge for Sri Lanka after the war; is providing meals, sanitation and shelter for the displaced people in the war affected areas.

SETIK was given an opportunity to carry this mission with the blessings and the fullest support of Rt. Rev. Dr. Vianney Fernando - the Bishop of Kandy. With the help of all the Parish Priests and religious Sisters and civil people of the Diocese of Kandy, Setik collected dry rations, medicines and cash donations to support this affected people.

The Director of Setik - Rev. Fr. Camillus Jansz took the initiative to collect these items and cash from the donors of the Central Province and finally collected dray rations and cash donations wroth of Rs. 10,500,000.00. On 12th June 2009 the collected items and cash were handed over to the Sedec (Caritas Sri Lanka) and they took the responsibility to distribute them among suffering people.

We express our sincere gratitude to the Bishop of Kandy - who was always guiding us for all our good work at Setik. Meantime we thank all the Parish Priests, religious Sisters and for the civil people who encouraged us, contributing towards this humanitarian assistance.

Commemoration of World Day Against Child Labour - 2009

Setik organized an education programme to commemorate the World Day Against Child Labour on 13th June 2009 in Hatton.

This is a burning issue which is taking place in rural villages and in the plantation sector of the Central Province of Sri Lanka. Poor economic condition and parents un- education in rural areas and in the plantation sector are main reasons for this problem.

Our main objective of organizing this programme was to rescue the children from child labour and educate them on the importance of education. This programme was comprised with a street drama, a peaceful rally, a seminar and distribution of hand bills.

The street drama held at the public bus stand of Hatton and made the people aware about the issues of child labour and its negative outcome. The feed back of the viewers were very positive. The peace rally took place from Hatton town to St. Bosco College and the children carried posters and banners exhibiting the issues of child labour. The seminar started at St. Bosco College which was conducted by Mr. Manisekaram - the Coordinator of the Plantation Community Project. There were more than 100 children participate at the seminar and the participated children were given an opportunity to express their ideas on this issue.

“Wesak” Mal Dansala - 2009 -Free Distribution of Flowers

“Wesak” day is a very important religious festival for all the Buddhists in Sri Lanka and all over the world. Every year we continuously conduct “Mal Dansala” (Free distribution of flowers for the worshipers). In this year it was held on 8th May 2009 in “Aluviharaya Rajamaha Temple” in the district of Matale. Every Poya day, Buddhist people of all over the country use to come to this ancient temple and do their spiritual activities.

Youth groups of our different fields were more generous to find out very beautiful lotus flowers to distribute among the people. We were happy to note that more than 7000 flowers were distributed on that day.

Rev. Fr. Desmond Perera - Coordinator of the Mtale district, members of Setik staff and volunteers of you youth groups participated at this programme and we are fortunate to have the media coverage of Sri Lanka Rupawahini Corporation and telecasted the programme on 9th May 2009.