Update on IMHO Canada Efforts

E-Newsletter Issue #6 June 2010

In This Issue

* Nalam Kappom 2010:

Toronto, Ottawa, & Montreal*

*Village Associations Support

IMHO*

*Volunteer with IMHO in Ethiopia*

*Support Local Needs Requests*

*IMHO Continues to Grow*

*Negombo Mental Health Unit

Complete*

Nalam Kappom 2010: Toronto, Ottawa, & Montreal

This May & June 2010, IMHO Canada held its annual Nalam Kappom events to raise awareness and funds for the betterment of the many lives deeply affected by the conflict in Sri Lanka. Starting on May 29

th and 30

th, IMHO Canada representatives spoke to groups in both Montreal &

Ottawa for the first time. There has been a great deal of enthusiasm from those who attended these events, and many have signed up as monthly contributors. IMHO Canada intends to hold events in both locations in the future as well. The following weekend, IMHO Canada conducted the Nalam Kappom event in Toronto. At all 3 of these events in Toronto, Ottawa, & Montreal, our featured guests were 4 visiting physicians from Sri Lanka who played a critical role in providing health & medical services to the people of the Northeast during the war time. These doctors are currently attending a course at McGill University in Montreal to study post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), thanks in-part to support from IMHO. The purpose of this training is to improve their knowledge and skills in caring for patients who have been deeply affected by the war, family loss, and other physical & mental hardship. These doctors are currently serving patients in Vavuniya, Jaffna, Kalmunai, and Valaichenai. IMHO has been working with these doctors on various projects throughout the Northeast over the last several years. Perhaps most notably, IMHO funded the in-patient psychiatric unit in Vavuniya, which later served many IDPs at a very crucial time. IMHO was the first group to support psychiatric mobile clinics around the villages as well. The 4 visiting doctors presented about the past and current projects, and highlighted the projects done in partnership with IMHO. They also touched on the current basic medical needs of the IDPS who are now being resettled in various areas.

Also joining us for the event was Dr. Rajam Theventhiran, a psychiatrist working in New York and current IMHO (USA) Treasurer. She recently returned from Sri Lanka where she was able to visit most of the IMHO projects undertaken since the organization’s inception in 2004. A documentary showing the medical needs of the people at present was also shown. Three other doctors from the U.S.—Dr. Raguraj (IMHO International Board President), Dr. Thambipillai (IMHO International Board Secretary), and Dr. Angelo—also came for the event. This event provided an opportunity for those in Canada to learn about the current situation in Sri Lanka and to see & hear first-hand how the people are in great need of our help. The audience was also given the opportunity to ask questions to the 4 doctors and IMHO members. Through these interactions, people were better able to understand the essential needs of the people back in Sri Lanka. In addition to the guest speakers, there was a very dedicated group of IMHO volunteer high school youth, who created displays of all IMHO’s projects (past and ongoing). They also shared with those who attended what these needs are and gave specific information/data about each area of need. In total, around $20,000 was collected from these 3 Nalam Kappom events from those who dropped in to donate. These funds will support various efforts, including amputee rehab, mental health, maternal nutrition, and much more. Thanks to all who attended, donated, volunteered, and participated!!

Village Associations & Other Small Groups Support IMHO Canada IMHO Canada is very pleased to have the support of several village associations and other small groups in recent months. The Irupalai Village Association generously gave a donation to IMHO Canada at the Toronto Nalam Kappom event in the amount of $1,000. The donations was handed over to Dr. Lambotharan, IMHO Canada President (see photo below). The Neduntheevu Ontriam village association had their annual summer get-together in June and gave IMHO Canada the opportunity to present about the organization and how IMHO Canada’s efforts in the past have benefited the people of this village. It was also an opportunity to highlight the current needs in Sri Lanka and what IMHO Canada is doing in response. The members were very gracious and interested in supporting IMHO Canada as we continue to move forward. Through events like these, we are also able to raise awareness of the issues most affecting those in Sri Lanka and bringing the needs of people in particular communities to the attention of those who are members of village associations, OSAs, and other school/college associations.

Finally, a small but dedicated group called “Anpuneri”, which formed to support various nonprofit efforts for the benefit or humanity like those undertaken by IMHO Canada, contributed $2,400 to IMHO for the provision of wheelchairs to support IDP patients in need in Jaffna. This group is ready to join hands for future efforts as well. We thank all these groups for their support. We also appeal to all of you to help get us connected with any group or association with which you are involved, so that we may better spread our message and connect with those who have an interest in helping a particular area or community. Please feel free to contact the IMHO Canada Programs Coordinator at lokini@imhocanada.org.

Volunteer with IMHO in Ethiopia this October 17-30

Photo via Choices Adoptions

IMHO Medical Volunteer Trip to Ethiopia 2010

WHEN: 17-30 October 2010 WHERE: Addis Ababa & Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

WHY: To serve those in need by providing quality health & medical care WHO: Medical doctors & health professionals (especially those with a background in diabetes

care, cardiology, eye care, primary care, & telemedicine) HOW MUCH: $995 all-inclusive, excluding airfare

IMHO (USA) is pleased to announce that it is coordinating its first medical volunteer trip to Ethiopia this October 17-30, 2010 and is seeking energetic volunteers who wish to serve the health & medical needs of poor patients in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. This trip is being planned with the full support of the Ethiopian Consulate of Los Angeles and the Amhara Development Association in Amhara, Ethiopia. IMHO (USA) seeks 12-15 volunteers (doctors & medical professionals only for this trip), particularly those who with a background or experience in diabetes medicine, cardiology, eye care/cataracts surgery, and primary care, as well as those with an interest or expertise in health education (ie: lecturing in local medical colleges & hospitals, training local staff, etc.) and/or telemedicine. All volunteers will be expected to contribute a program fee of $995/person, which will cover the cost of ALL their own expenses (incl. housing, food, transport, etc.) from the time of arrival until the time of departure and all program & supply costs. For more information or to express interest, please email the IMHO Programs Coordinator at coordinator@theimho.org. You can also download the trip flyer and application/waiver on www.theimho.org or view our event posting on Idealist.org

Please Support Our Local Needs Requests As you know, IMHO both respond to needs from the ground as they arise and works proactively with local partners to strengthen health infrastructure in areas in need. Through this approach, we are essentially able to fill in the gaps of the health and medical services available. For this reason, we have added a new section to our website that features specific requests that have come through from various local partners for equipment, medicines, supplies, and other support. Currently featured on our site are a number of requests put forth by the Jaffna and Batticaloa Teaching Hospitals for their cardiology, neurology, endocrinology, and premature baby units. We will be updating this page regularly, and we hope you will check back often and consider making a donation towards these requests. In order to do so, simply reference the specific requests towards which you would like your donation to go when making your donation and/or email the IMHO Programs Coordinator at gtbuie@gmail.com. No donation is

too small! Thank you for your support!

IMHO Continues to Grow Recently, IMHO hit yet another milestone in its development with the creation of an IMHO International Board of Directors, which will be responsible for overseeing all the national IMHO organizations, including IMHO USA, IMHO Canada, and any future IMHO branches. The International Board will help facilitate and coordinate efforts between all the IMHO branches, while protecting the IMHO name and reputation globally. This will help to consolidate information & resources and help streamline efforts in Sri Lanka and elsewhere, so as to improve efficiency. IMHO intends to expand its operations beyond North America in the near future, and we will surely keep you posted on any new developments on that front. Serving as President of the newly formed IMHO International Board is Dr. S. Raguraj, who has served as the IMHO USA President since its founding in 2004. Joining him as IMHO International Board Secretary is Dr. Thavam Thambipillai, also one of the founding members of IMHO USA and IMHO USA Secretary for the last 6 years. Both resigned their posts with IMHO USA before taking up positions on this new International Board.

Construction on New Negombo Hospital Mental Health Unit Complete Construction on the new Mental Health Unit at Negombo Hospital has now wrapped up, with the project now entering its final stages before its scheduled opening later this summer. IMHO (USA) gave financial support to this project in Fall 2009 to support development of this new unit, including the installation of toilets and provisions of furniture. With a massive need for improved mental health care services nationwide, this new facility will provide a crucial service to many individuals and families in need.

Be the Difference. Save a Life with just

$10/month. DONATE TODAY!

During this crucial time in Sri Lanka and around the world, as we face

monumental challenges in providing better access to quality medical and

health care for those most at-risk populations, we need YOUR HELP now

more than ever. With just $10/month you can make a huge difference in the quality of life for those in need. Please consider making a donation

to IMHO Canada today. You can donate online via PayPal as a one-

time or recurring donation (the amount & frequency of which are up to you).

You can also donate via mail by sending a check made out to "IMHO

Canada" to the following address:

IMHO Canada Treasurer Unit #7-5637 Finch Ave. East Toronto, ON M1B 2T9

Canada

IMHO Canada is a registered not-for-profit organization in Canada.

IMHO Canada | Unit #7-5637 FInch Ave. East | Toronto | Ontario | M1B 2T9 | Canada