Vision and objectsThe overarching vision of HON is to empower and equip needy and disadvantaged children in Sri Lanka to become valuable members of their communities. Our primary focus is on orphaned or destitute children residing in Children’s Homes because their families are unable to care for them for a variety of reasons (such as poverty or death of parents) regardless of race or religion. Our aim, in line with our primary focus, is to improve the wellbeing of communities in Sri Lanka through the relief of poverty and sickness and the provision of educational opportunities. HON aims to do this by facilitating the enabling conditions that will ensure that the children’s immediate needs for health and safety are met, and provide opportunities for their vocational and educational advancement, so that they may break through the poverty cycle and determine their own futures. The OrganisationHelp Orphans Now is a not-for-profit, voluntary organisation created in 2005 following generous offers of assistance from the Australian public for aiding children and young persons affected by the Boxing Day Tsunami 2004 in Sri Lanka. HON periodically raises funds as the needs arise, to allow it to continue its mission of responding to children in need. Help Orphans Now is registered in Australia as a public company limited by guarantee, ABN 115 409 204. The Members and Directors of HON administer the company to carry out its vision and objects. Founding Members of Help Orphans Now• Sharminie Niles (Lawyer, and Chairperson of HON Board) • Stuart Miller (Pastor/Administrator) • Dayantha Fernando (Accountant, and HON Treasurer and co-Secretary) • Kumudini Abeysuriya (Sustainability Researcher) • Caryl Velupillai (Administrator) • Richard Botta (Pastor) • Chris Hensman (Surgeon) • Catherine Gray (Lawyer) • Rohan Rajaratnam (Cardiologist) Several of the Founding Members have well-established links in Sri Lanka and therefore have a particular understanding of the cultural and socio-political environment, enabling effective delivery of assistance by the organisation. History of HONHelp Orphans Now was created on the strength of existing strong relationships with orphanages in Sri Lanka, which were forged as a result of the Sri Lanka Orphanages Project (Gift Project) that has been operating over the last decade. Three days before the tsunami, the ABC’s 7:30 Report broadcast a story on the Sri Lanka Orphanages Project initiated by Sydney lawyer and mother Sharminie Niles in 1994 (see transcript). Following the tsunami, Australians who had been touched by the ABC’s story broadcast on 23 December and follow up report of 10 January 2005 contacted Sharminie with many offers of help. This resulted in the formation of Help Orphans Now as a means of connecting Australian donors with needy disadvantaged children through a transparent interface that could deliver tangible results. Further to the support given to children affected by the tsunami. HON has responded to the needs of internally displaced children affected by the long civil war that ended in 2008. Project partnersThe following organisations are key partners with Help Orphans Now in implementing their objects and their support is gratefully acknowledged. |
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About our logoThe larger orange hand represents the assisting hand of adults and others with great capacity to help; the smaller purple hand represents recipient children and young persons who are able to become independent as a result of the assistance. Orange (colour of the assisting hand) symbolizes energy, warmth, encouragement and enthusiasm. Purple (recipient hand) symbolizes dignity, independence and creativity. The logo was conceptualised by Rebecca Young of YoungCreations and developed by Graham Rees of gilda design. |
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