Lotus Buds

Chuck Simmins is tabulating the monies donated for Asian tsunami relief by individuals, businesses, and non-profits in the United States. These funds—which are in addition to the aid provided by the US government—are quickly closing in on $400 million (link to pdf). Amazon.com alone has raised nearly $15 million on behalf of the American Red Cross.

But before compassion fatigue sets in, I'd like to bring attention to a very small effort in the nation of Sri Lanka: the Lotus Buds Children's Home in the city of Boralesgamuwa. Tony Sawyer—a very dear friend of mine—spent two summers there in the late 90s. Over the weekend I asked if he had received any news; here is his response.

I have spent two summers with this organization. I helped both at Lotus Buds (children's home) and also at the Deheiwala Centre (which was hit by the tsunami). My wife and I support two children that live in the area that was destroyed. We have yet to hear back if they lived or not.

The Centre provides free schooling, food, worker training and other outreach services to the people living in the beach shacks. The photo shows that devastation. In the photo you can see the green building that belongs to Community Concerns Society. The foreground shows the shacks where the families served by the Society once lived—they now have neither possessions nor home. The C.C.S. building is OK except that all the school supplies and job training equipment were destroyed.

Tony also included this update from Therese Koelmeyer, Administrative Director of Lotus Buds.

I know you are watching the realities of the devastation on TV but to walk through it with all of the people we love and care for is very trying. Please pray for stamina and strength. We are working around the clock to supply food, clothing and support to all of our people. EVERYONE living on the Dehiwela beach lost their home. EVERYONE whom we work with has been affected. If they lived on the centre side of the tracks their homes were flooded and ALL of their family supplies ruined, if they lived near the tracks and on the beach—they have no home! We are bringing medical teams into the schools, temples etc.—wherever the people are—and trying to do what we can to supply the needs.

All of our kids at Lotus Buds (home of 18 orphaned children) are sorting and packing donations, packing food, and distributing to the displaced.

So the silver lining is that the children of Lotus Buds (at least) are safe; but those supported by Tony and his wife do not live at the Home, and their fate is presently unknown.

The Community Concerns Society is an Approved Charity with the Sri Lankan Department of Social Services. Addresses for stateside collection of funds are on the Society's homepage.

If you are a regular reader of this site, I have a personal request. Please consider giving to this effort, even if only a small amount, and even if you have given elsewhere. I'm putting my money up front: my wife and I are in for $40, on top of what we sent here earlier this week.

UPDATE. In response to a question in comments, our contribution was addressed to:

Street Kids Worldwide
PO Box 6473
Lincoln, NE 68506

If you're more comfortable sending to a bank, this address will also work.

Pinnacle Bank
Lincoln, NE 68507
Account # 756-067-6353

In either case, it wouldn't hurt to write “Community Concern Society” on the memo line.

Anthony,

Which method, did you find, was easiest to send the donation?