13 years ago! – Terrible tsunami causes start of our work in Matara

Second Christmas Day in Germany – 13th commemoration of the terrible tsunami in Sri Lanka and round the Indian Ocean on that day in 2004.

There are very sad memories for our Srilankan guest, and we try to find an occasion of remembering important and beloved people by visiting a Buddhist Centre and a Christian church in Koblenz to find an outlet for strong emotions.

Although this Buddhist building is closed today, we can enter into that wonderful little garden next to the house and meditate for some minutes in front of a Buddha statue and think of those Ridmi had lost by this catastrophe and others who were badly affected.

On our way back, we stopped at Koblenz and visited a big church that was nicely decorated for Christmas celebrations. We saw the nativity scene with shepherds, sheep, angels and the Holy family illustrating the birth of Jesus Christ as described in the Bible. We even lit some candles just to think of beloved relatives.

Sri Lanka in a German Protestant Church

Our vice-president, Mrs. Edeltrud Pinger, took part in a religious service in a protestant church in Neuwied-Feldkirchen. She had been asked to talk about her association Neuwied-Matara-Friendship-Association, its projects and regular activities.

Instead of a usual sermon, there was a dialogue between Reverend Thomas Thillman and Mrs. Pinger. The focus was on reasons why she has been doing this work for more than 12 years now, on projects, particular help and activities in Matara, and the very personal question about

the personal benefit when working in such an association and helping people in Sri Lanka.

Mrs. Pinger reported about the long 12 years in the course of which a lot could be achieved in Matara schools: buildings, classrooms, school equipment and materials, about 30 scholarships, help after monsoon floods, and support in individual cases to grant humane life conditions. She did not forget to mention the first steps initiated by the Singhalese Mr. Sagara Abegunewardene, who has been the manager of the association for many years.

The last question about her personal benefit was a bit difficult to answer: On the one hand there is a lot of work, time and private money to be spent on dealing with lots of problems, raising money, the feeling of never having come to an end with this work. On the other hand there are children’s shining eyes, great thankfulness because of better living-conditions, friendships. But finally, there is only one sentence to say: I can’t help it – I must do it!

Neuwied-Matara-Friendship-Association thanks for the money that was collected in the course of this religious service.

Here we go again! – The Indian Ocean and Sri Lanka are waiting!

The vice president of Neuwied-Matara-Friendship-Association, Mrs. Edeltrud Pinger, is planning her 16th journey to Sri Lanka in mid-September, and there is a lot of planning, organizing, collecting,..…although there is always the danger of her suitcase bursting at the seams.Last Saturday, a board meeting took place and the members discussed Mrs. Pinger’s tasks and duties to be performed in Matara. Checking the former projects and buildings, commissioning repair works if necessary, teaching German lessons, visiting  –  at least  – nine scholarship students and their families at home, talking to their parents – assisted by our school coordinator Mr. Wasantha, of course. It is really important to be serious when selecting new scholarship students. (more…)

Finally! – Meeting of godparents and godchild for the first time!

That was the long-awaited moment! In the morning, the German guests were shown around the school premises, visited students and teachers and watched their activities in the home science rooms and library and finally met their scholarship student Nethra. Big smiles on all faces. They had seen photographs of each other before, but this moment here was a very special one. Some words in English – the little, shy voice took some time to become more self-confident – but the English teacher helped to translate from and into Singhalese. Those faces spoke volumes and were aglow with happiness. Sophia is a bit older, but here were two young girls who, quickly, found common ground and language problem could be overcome easily. “Necessity is the mother of invention”. (more…)

German donor’s visit to meet scholarship student – First impression: perfect!

That’s a really exciting story: the long flight on Sunday, transfer from Colombo to Koggala Beach Hotel and the first fresh king-coconut-drink at the reception! Andreas Hoss with Karin and Sophia arrived sound and safe, and a voluminous, maybe tiring, but certainly great and amazing programme lies ahead of them. First they will have to cope with jetlag, strains of the long-distance-travel, the humid climate that you will have to get used to. There are hundreds of new sights and impressions; not much time to get used to. But there is enough positive energy aiming at curiosity instead of fear. (more…)

With sincere and deepest sympathy

We are mourning the sudden death of our highly honored Lord Mayor of Neuwied and founding member Mr. Nikolaus Roth, a good friend, dynamic and active initiator and supporter of our Neuwied-Matara Friendship Association.

He had just started his well-deserved holidays in Greece, together with his dear wife. On board of a sailing ship he suffered from a break-down and passed away abruptly against any expectation. He was only 59 years old and leaves his wife, two children, children in law and his first very young grandchild and, also departs from a very dedicated and active professional life. (more…)

100 monsoon-affected families supported by German friends

Lots of Matara inhabitants and from the surroundings were struck by monsoon-floods end of May. Several feet of water penetrating into houses and huts and remaining there for several days, flooded roads and destroyed interior]fittings, all this is a real disaster for hundreds of families. Most of them had to find shelter at friends’ or other family members’ houses. There were even reception camps at Rahula College and other places. It will take some time and cost lots of money to clean, repair, reconstruct and come back to normal. (more…)

First results coming up to our hopeful expectations

It’s a great pleasure to see the pictures showing progress of building activities that we planned together with our construction manager Mr. de Silva. A house will be built in a very remote and difficult to access area for one of our scholarship students’ families in need. Our members, friends, and those who read in our local newspapers about the new project, became generous donors, and finally we were able to move from planning stage to implementation. It’s a rather long way to go from Matara to that place and transporting materials through rough terrain. (more…)

“A new wind is blowing”… at Anura Pre School….!

At PSPS (Princess Sophie Pre School), part of Anura College, Matara, we were able to grant good equipment and teaching materials in the last months, thanks to the protectress and patron Princess Sophie of Neuwied. (more…)

New Sound-system and curtains – more improvements by German friendship association

The nice new library is not only a place where students can read, work, study,….but also a suitable room to store new books, but particularly precious old books of old Manthinda library, and they should be treated in a way that helps them to survive as long as possible. But environmental influence, extreme humidity, wind, rain, dust and air pollution from the roads around the school premises, are a big problem, which can damage the books and makes it difficult to protect them. You cannot close the library completely by windows, because there must be good ventilation. So, some good curtains, at least, might help to avoid worse results. (more…)