President's Message

An island of service

By Dave Curry President Kiwanis International

What would your club look like if it were more than 1,500 miles from the nearest Kiwanis club, virtually on your own for more than 20 years? Would it have the same focus? Would it still be benefiting children? Sri Lanka, off the coast of India, has benefited from the Kiwanis Club of Colombo City since 1982.

For more than 20 years these Kiwanians have faithfully paid their dues, but until the 2004 tsunami disaster, they had little contact with other Kiwanians. So, what have they been up to? I had the privilege to meet with our Sri Lankan Kiwanians during the 2008 Kiwanis Asia-Pacific Convention in Jakarta, Indonesia, and to catch up on their accomplishments. Get ready to be impressed:

They built the Kiwanis Intensive Care Unit for the Lady Ridgeway Hospital in Colombo.

They refurbished a premature baby unit at the Castle Street Hospital for Women and Children.

Their annual charity ball funded an orthopedic clinic and dental lab to treat children with cleft lips and palates. They procured computer equipment and software for the Ceylon School for the Deaf at Ratmalana.

Though the club has had many other projects, I will share one more regarding its response to the tsunami of 2004, which devastated Sri Lanka. Due to the dedication and hard work of the club’s 20 members, Kiwanis has been at the forefront of the recovery efforts for the tsunami victims. They constructed a pre-school. With assistance from clubs worldwide and foundation grants, the club built housing in Delgahawatta, Wadduwa, and Galle. In cooperation with an Eastern Canada and the Caribbean District division, it built the Kiwanis Visions of Hope Child Care Centre in Pandiruppu, which aims to improve the health, nutrition, and educational opportunities for children affected by the tsunami.

Though relatively isolated, Colombo City Kiwanians have been doing what they could for this island nation and have made me extremely proud to be associated with them. They may have been isolated in connections, but they have Kiwanis hearts.

Thanks, Kiwanis Club of Colombo City, for all you do. Your accomplishments inspire us. Can our clubs do more? You bet!