VACD Australia January 2023 Newsletter
January 29, 2023

Dear friends, colleagues, supporters, and collaborative partners,

We wish you, your families, loved ones, and colleagues the absolute best in 2023, over the coming years and thank you for your support and guidance given to us over 11+ past years.

Delightful News!!!:

We are thrilled to inform you that after almost 6+ years of many stops and starts, we are finally ready to establish the much-awaited Welimada centre, thanks to the tireless efforts and  dedication of our VACD Sri Lanka Chairman, Mr. Sunil Fernando, Secretary Col. R.M. Kumarasinghe and Director Mr. J M Kapila Jayasekara. 

Establishing a VACD centre in Welimada became a passion for the late Dr. Tiraj Mendis when he was the Consultant Pediatrician at the Base hospital Welimada. Dr. Tiraj was conscious of  and deeply distressed by the plight of a large number of impoverished families who had children with congenital impairments living in that region. Welimada and Uva Paranagama regions have the largest concentration of children with disabilities in Sri Lanka.  

The new VACD centre is being sponsored by Teardrop Hotels ( https://www.treardrop-hotels.com) for 3 years and will be named: “Teardrop CARE Centre for Children with Disabilities”. The centre is likely to be officially opened in mid to late March once essential repairs and modifications to the premises have been completed to ensure the safety, security, and comfort of our children. 

We are now in the process of sourcing essential office equipment, computers, cookers, fridge etc. for this centre and would deeply appreciate any donations in kind or funds to purchase these and many other items for the new center. Please reach out to me at: fstephen@bigpond.net,au if you are in a position to lend us a  much needed helping hand. – Thank you.

Great News!!!

Mr. Giles Gunesekera – Our energetic and dynamic Director & Secretary VACD Australia was awarded the “Medal of the Order of Australia” in recognition of his contribution to social welfare and community service on Australia day, 26th January 2023. This award recognises and celebrates the hard work, dedication, and selflessness of people like Giles. Heartiest Congratulations and the very best over the coming years from all of us at VACD dear Giles.

Dr. Sheila Murphy – I invite you to visit Sheila’s new page: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheila_Murphy

Sheila has been a friend of the Stephen family since 1996. Her brother Tom Murphy was a former work colleague, a very close and dear friend of the Stephen family since the mid-1990’s and a Fellow of VACD Australia. Tom, Sheila, and their brother Neil have been supporters of our mission since we were established 11+ years ago They continue to support us directly, through their close family network and are dedicated and passionate about our mission, particularly because almost 95% of donations received by us are deployed towards our children. VACD Australia directors pay for all VACD related expenses incurred by them from their personal funds as a commitment to our mission.

VACD Sri Lanka Children’s day Celebrations:

VACD’s Team, Projects, Programs & Newsletters:

Please visit our VACD Webpages Our Team | Volunteers to Assist Children with Disabilities (vacd.org.au) to find details of our team, projects and programs on: Ongoing Projects | Volunteers to Assist Children with Disabilities (vacd.org.au) and newsletters on: https://www.vacd.org.au/project-updates/ 

Multiple donation options to support our mission – Thank you:

The following hyperlink will enable you to find all donation options that are available to you on our webpage: https://www.vacd.org.au/donate/

Multicurrency Benevity Causes Portal for International Donations:

International donors who wish to support our mission can do so through the Benevity Causes portal via the hyperlink below for all your multi-currency donation options:

https://mygoodness.benevity.org/community/search?query=vacd&country=036

A big “Thank You” to all of you…

Our journey is bound to be long and challenging. The official and unofficial number of children and families who need our love, support, compassion, and care are sizeable. We look forward to your continued generosity, active support for our undertaking and you being partners with us in this most fulfilling and worthwhile 10+ year journey that we traverse together.

Please visit us at: https://www.vacd.org.au/  and reach out to us at: fstephen@bigpond.net.au should you choose to support our mission. Please also do share this newsletter with your family, friends, loved ones and work colleagues. Together, we certainly can make a difference in the lives of children with disabilities, one by one!!!

Many thanks, best wishes, and warmest regards…. Felix

Felix Stephen

Chairman of the Board of Directors – VACD Ltd. Sydney – Australia – https://www.vacd.org.au/

Member of the Advisory Board – VACD Sri Lanka

Member of the Advisory Board – Two leaves Foundation Sri Lanka

Senior Associate – Cognoscenti Group – Sydney – Australia- http://www.cognoscenti.global/ 

Member of Investment Committee – Arrive Wealth Management – Brisbane – Australia – https://www.arrivewealthmanagement.com.au/ 

Categories

Archives