Posted by Richard L. Roberts
GUEST SPEAKER- Eric Parkinson
Mike Balster
introduced Eric Parkinson, CEO, VeAhavta, a non profit corporation that operates an orphanage in Sri Lanka. VeAhavta, a Hebrew word meaning, "you shall love," seeks to help repair the world by loving their neighbors - locally and globally - by providing people in needy communities with material and human resources such that they may meet their basic needs for food, safe drinking water, clothing, adequate shelter, and education.
The GraceCareCenter is a 7 acre orphanage complex that includes a girl's home, daycare center, vocational training, widow's employment program, a mercy home, mobile clinic and a "life" boat program. The Life Boat program offers a boat to local fisherman who will return 50% of their profits for the purchase of another boat for another fisherman and to assist widows.
Parkinson's presentation included pictures of happy, smiley kids inside the compound and elder mentors who garnered from each other's age group. For these services they provide, they only budget $115,000 plus a $40,000 refuge relief as the area is involved in a civil war. The GB Rotary club donated $1,000, an amount greatly appreciated as it went a long way for family food and other resources. For a personal donation and to find out more about this worthwhile program, go to http://www.youshalllove.com/