Minhath On Site Medical Clinic
August 14, 2009
By Stephanie Minerva Fernando

At the request of Mr. Imthiyas, Director of the One Heart Educational Center and the Minhath Montessori Pre-school, Real Medicine Foundation with the generous support of Mrs. Upamali Munaweera, conducted a one day medical clinic for the predominantly Muslim members of the Yonakapura Community, Dickwella. RMF staff provided on site medical evaluations for Minhath Pre-School children, their parents & the elderly and less privileged members of the community. A target population of 122 was selected: 21 Children 42 Parents 04 Teachers 25 elderly Females 30 elderly Males And 148 patients were evaluated and treated.

This special clinic was planned and organized by Real Medicine Foundation, and Mrs. Upamali Munaweera, a native of Sri Lanka, sponsored it. Mrs. Mali has lived in Los Angeles for the past 30 years.

She visited all of RMF’s Sri Lankan projects, and, seeing the clinic at Yayawatta, she initiated funding for a one day clinic for Yonakapura, a Muslim community in the south. We also wish to thank Ms. Deborah Ellens for her generous support.

At the scheduled time, our special guest, Mrs. Mali, and RMF’s medical consultant, Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa had arrived, accompanied by our team members, Nishantha Sandakelum, Mrs. Dimuthu, Mrs. Samanthie and myself.

The Director of the Minhath Pre-School, Mr. Imthiyas, had prepared a traditional welcome of Muslim community customs for everyone. Our guests, Mrs. Mali and Dr. Chamal were presented with a beautiful red rose and all the staff was sprinkled with scented Holy water.

Our Staff and Mrs. Munaweera Arrive

Official Greeting

The Pre-School had arranged for waiting accommodations for the patients and for a private section for the examination of patients. The consulting room was marked with IN and OUT posters; this way it was very easy to organize the crowd who attended the clinic.

Patients Waiting at the Clinic

Dr. Chamal with a Student’S Family

RMF Country Director, Mr. Michael Lear, approved the Off-Site Clinic and the staff handled everything according to RMF procedure. With our sincere Thanks, and we always remember our Executive Director, Dr. Martina Fuchs who had paved the path to establish such humanitarian programmes to the needy with RMF Motto “Friends Helping Friends Helping Friends”.

Thanks & Our Gratitude to BOTH of YOU, MARTINA and MICHAEL.

The teachers of the Pre-School had done all the documentation of the patients who had come to the clinic. A total of 148 patients were seen. The oldest patient was 80 years old.

The number of elderly patients was on the increase due to a number of difficulties that the community had to face:

• Lack of transportation
• Financial problems
• Available time of family members
• Cultural reasons, i.e. it is especially difficult for women in a Muslim community to ask for care.

The patients were very happy as they were provided with all the care and medicines they needed. The Muslim community and the Divisional Officer of the area thanked Real Medicine Foundation for their great service for the less privileged. All the patients who had attended the clinic were given cream cracker biscuits and king coconuts. This was an amazing moment for everyone, as they had never experienced such activity in their lives.

The two oldest patients, Ahamed and Siththi, were 80 years old.

Dr. Chamal with a Student’S Family

MAY 2009 - Update
By Minerva Fernando

For the year 2009, there are now 20 new children enrolled in the pre-school. We employ four teachers and one caretaker to support the school activities. We are pleased to have the opportunity to provide the Muslim, Tamil speaking children in this community the opportunity to attend this pre-school. The after school study programs for young adults, age 13-15, that are sponsored by the school and Mr. Imthiyas, its director, have also increased the confidence of the community that they would get sound education and be prepared for the future.

Our primary objectives for 2009 are to:

1. Repair the playground that was damaged by the heavy rains earlier in the years and to expand it for the entire Muslim community.
2. Obtain a Community Center that can be used for the pre-school and other organizations for meetings, seminars and concerts. Right now the Minhath Pre-school is being used for community functions – however it is not an ideal location for large community gatherings.
3. Increase basic computer education for kids.
4. Increase the number of specialized teachers from different areas for the Tamil Medium students, age 13-15 years.
5. Provide special career guide programs for those graduating from school.
6. Beginning media about performance of our village monthly to be circulated among our villagers to awaken them to community affairs.
7. Starting a special Pre-School incentive programme to encourage peace and good will within the communities of this area.
8. Continue the seminars for the G.C.E. Ordinary Level students and bio gas programmes for community.

On August 17th, 2008, the Minhath Montessori Pre-school hosted a regional sports event for the children of the school and the surrounding Muslim community. Our Project Coordinator, Minerva Fernando was invited as the featured guest to hand out the awards to the winners of the day’s events.

Minerva reports that the children enjoyed the sports festival and her visit provided her the opportunity to “witness the cooperation of the Muslim Community, not just parents but other members who came to watch the festival.”

Minerva explained that the families are appreciative of Real Medicine’s investment in their community by building the school and grateful for the dedication of Mr. Imthiyas, director of the school, who continues to reach out to children of all ages to provide opportunities for growth and personal development.

Mr. Imthiyas , the Director of the pre-school starts the after noon events with the “Search for Marbles” game and later in the day the kids enjoyed the Yogurt Eating Contest.

The last events were the Drill Display and the Fancy Dress Parade. For the Fancy Dress Parade there were: a Tourist, a Doctor, a Nurse, a Fisherman, Spider Man , a Tennis Player, a Foot Ball Player, and many Soldiers. At the end of the day Minerva and Mr. Imthiyas handed out the awards. Mr Imthiyas also received and award of appreciation from the community.