Unity Mission Trust to hold next camp in Mannar from 27 December

The Unity Mission Trust’s (UMT) unique and far reaching third Ekamuthu Oray Makkal Unity Camp will be held in Mannar from December 27 to 30.

The vision of UMT is to foster and facilitate national unity, reconciliation, integration and healing amongst and between children of the North, Wanni, South, Central and other areas of Sri Lanka.

A key initiative to achieve this is the UMT (www.unitymission.lk) via camps carries out leadership development, capacity building and self-confidence development work on an inter-faith platform that seeks to facilitate healing, unity and reconciliation.

 “We are also linking rural southern students, as well as students from elite Colombo schools and encouraging all to develop north-south friendships,” UMT Coordinator Bertal Pinto-Jayawardane said.

The third camp will cater to and focus on over 500 children mainly from 32 schools in Mannar and Madu.

Previous programs completed by UMT includes supply of milk food and school books at Menik Farm, Chettikulam between June and September 2009, school infrastructure, school books and footwear in Jaffna and Kayts in April 2010, Medical camp and Kayts Base Hospital Support Project in June 2010, medical camp, school books project at Vidutaitivu, Mannar  in September 2010, the Ekamututhu Oray Makkal Unity Camp 1 in Colombo from 27 to 29 December last year, and the Ekamuthu Oray Makkal Unityu Camp 2 in Mullaithivu in June this year.

“We need sponsors, partners and volunteers to make this initiative a success,” Jayawardane added.

The program also supports children in Mullaitivu, Killinochchi, Jaffna, Kayts, Colombo, Ratnapura Kegalle, Kandy and Batticoloa.

Explaining the activities Jayawardane said the Camp focus is on leadership development, capacity building and enhancement of self –confidence. “The aim is to develop unity, reconciliation, healing and integration,” he added.

In the upcoming camp, 29 schools will be gifted new books to build a reference library and the best results for A/L’s across the Wanni will be felicitated. Additionally there will be healthy competitions for oratory, singing, drama and art and craft.  

Recognition will be given to all students who excel, he added.

The camp will commence in the afternoon of the 27th and end after breakfast on the 30th.

Jayawardane said that people and organisations must reach out to the children particularly those in the North and East to provide leadership training, personal capacity enhancement and foster growth of self confidence.

“This is key to facilitate national unity, reconciliation and integration between children of all areas of Sri Lanka. Children are our nation’s most precious resource hence we must foster the belief and acceptance that all children are equal sons and daughters of a united and beautiful mother Lanka,” Jayawardane emphasised.

UMT is made up of a group of professionals and likeminded people committed to contributing towards fostering unity, reconciliation and healing among children in all parts of the country.

It is currently structured as a voluntary organisation with a pool of around 30 volunteers available to support ground level projects. In addition the team also has in affiliation a group of 35 senior consultants and other qualified doctors to conduct medical camps and or be involved on site as is needed during Unity Camps.

Jayawardane said that Unity Mission team is not a NGO or a religious group but a non-profit trust and a group of persons who have previously worked together in a voluntary capacity to promote unity and reconciliation. It is governed by a Board of Trustees and a management team.

For further details ww.unitymission.lk or write into [email protected] .