PELITA - The Methodist Church Newsletter
Listed below are articles abstracted from past issues of PELITA
February 2006 - Peace, Human Rights & Small Business . . . for SRI LANKAN METHODISTS
By Shellatay D.
More than 30 Sri Lankan women leaders benefited from a Training of Trainers (TOT) Programme on Peace, Human Rights and Small business organized by the Methodist Church, Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Methodist Church in Malaysia and GBGM (United Methodist Church). Held in the serene and cool setting of the Monte Fano Monastery in Kandy, from January 31st - 4th February, 2006, the TOT programme was a welcome retreat for the participants who included Rev Jothini Seenithamby (On-site Coordinator of the Methodist Livelihood Training Centre in Kalmunai), Ministers spouses, Women ministers, and Methodist Women leaders from national and grassroot levels.
Sri Lankans especially women and children have been victims of war, ethnic conflicts and natural disasters for the past two decades. The Tsunami disaster that struck Sri Lanka on 26th December 2004, left approximately 40,000 people dead, 15,683 injured, over 3,846 classified as missing and more than 113,733 families rendered homeless or displaced. At least 120 members of the Sri Lanka Methodist Church lost their lives and a large number of Methodist Church buildings, property and homes destroyed.
Since the Tsunami incident, the Methodist Church in Malaysia had taken the opportunity to be involved in the reconstruction of the communities engulfed in these tremendous upheavals of livelihoods resulting in suffering, poverty and injustice. As part of the community rehabilitation and re-construction endeavour, the Methodist Church in Malaysia is partnering with the Methodist Church in Sri Lanka to set up a vocational training center (to be known as Methodist Livelihood Training Centre) in Kalmunai, in an effort to restore and diversify the livelihood skills of affected peoples in the area of Carpentry, Masonry, Plumbing and Electrical House Wiring.
This TOT programme is an outcome of the realization that trade skills development alone will not suffice. Lasting solutions to problems of violence, poverty, hunger, injustice and disease come only when the affected peoples are also empowered with character forming best practices, appropriate information, and moral values. These are essential to transforming conditions of violence and suffering into new realities of peace, dignity, unity, reconciliation, healing and strength.
The content of the programme is based on a series of 6 manuals developed by Proliteracy (an international non-profit organization based in New York - see website www.proliteracy.org for more details) on Peace, Health, Economic self reliance, Environment, Education and Human rights). These resource materials were also very effectively and successfully used in the Bible Women Trainers Training Program (12th- 15th Mar, 2005) conducted and sponsored by GBGM, United Methodist Church in collaboration with the TAC Methodist Women. Thus the Malaysian Team (who served as facilitators in the small group discussions) comprising Kamala Devadason (TACMW President), Lila Chelliah (TACMW Vice President), Saratha Joshua (TACMW), Kala Devadason (TACMW) led by Shellatay D. (Tsunami Aid/Social Concerns Coordinator) were able to introduce the materials to Rev Ebenezer Joseph (President of the Methodist Church, Sri Lanka) who agreed to use selective modules as the resource materials for the TOT programme. The GBGM Team (comprising Ruth Prudente, Emma Cantor and Dr Glory Dharmaraj) were duly invited to partner in this project by conducting the bible studies and introducing the modules using the FAMA techniques. They also provided the much needed funding for the participants. The materials were translated into Tamil and Sinhala and the illustrations were adapted to reflect local circumstances.
The Peace Module enables participants to realize the importance of establishing and maintaining peace in community development. Learners were led to explore ways to improve communication, reduce hostility, and resolve conflicts between opposing factions. The module encourages cultural expression, and thereby participants were encouraged to celebrate diversity and promote understanding between different groups. The cultural night bore eloquent testimony to their rich cultural heritage as the participants shared their traditional songs and dances. During their worship and discussion sessions they were able to discover ways to uphold important traditions while embracing human differences. The participants resolved to promote literacy in Tamil and Sinhala to foster greater communication and understanding within the nation. Literacy in the English language was also emphasized to be able to share resources and to reach out to the international community. In this context, several rural churches highlighted the need for English teachers. An evangelist from Kilinochi indicated that only RM 100 was required monthly to be able to run an English literacy programme.
The Human rights module encourages participants to become aware of key human rights, identify local practices that may violate human rights and take action to promote good governance in their homes, communities and nation.
The Small Business module guides participants on how to start and manage small businesses that will earn much-needed income for their families and communities.
The huge success of this programme has culminated in the decision of the President of the Methodist Church, Sir Lanka to set up a Women, Children and Youths Desk at the Headquarters to spearhead such training programmes at District and local levels. It is hoped that this will empower the Methodist Church to be in the forefront of the peace and reconstruction process.
The Malaysian Team were greatly encouraged by the support rendered by Proliteracy which enabled us not only to participate and contribute in this TOT programme, but to conduct as well, similar programmes in Malaysia at District levels for the year 2006.