Here is a good and reliable way to help Sri Lanka
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Mahen, thanks for posting this information. We all have good intentions. The question is, how much can we trust the handling of funds at the other end. I believe it is best to send money to organizations/people who are known. Sri Lanka is a small country and we all have personal contacts. My inclination is to use them, rather than send money to a random bank account. I'm sorry if I sound cynical.
ReplyDeleteSrianee, I am in total agreement with you on being cautious. I have added an important statement from the SLMDA which certainly allayed my fears. The money will be spent on what is identified as crucial with us collaborating directly with the Organisations referred to and we hope that with the connection they have in Sri Lanka, it will be possible to bypass various bottlenecks in the system so that the drugs and equipment get there in time for the right people.
ReplyDeleteMahen and Srianee
ReplyDeleteI am a cynic too. With my experience of the Tsunami Appeals I agree with Srianee entirely. I like to know the person who is receiving the money and know how exactly it was used. The ability to follow the trail is important to me. I have already set it up and am happy with the arrangement.
I respect the efforts of the SLMDA and recognise the doctors working on the project are honourable. I wish them well.
I have confidence that our SLMDA doctors who are going to connect with the Sri Lanka Colleges will do an honest job (so long as the GMOA is not involved!)
ReplyDeleteDear Friends,
ReplyDeleteI quite understand your reservations regarding misuse of donations. To circumvent those fears, I have suggested the following mechanism which I think is transparent.
1. Identify a focal point in the donor country eg SLMDA
2. The Professional Colleges are currently busy drawing up lists of essential drugs/consumables such as ET tubes. The SLCP has contacted Paediatricians in the 25 districts and requested them to provide lists of essential items.
3. The local agents would be identified by us and their contact details would be sent to the donor organisations, so that they could transfer funds for purchasing.
4. The local agent would supply the drugs/consumables to the respective Colleges, who would then distribute these items according to individual needs
5 This way we are by-passing customs so as to avoid paying duties, as well as the NMRA which is corrupt and is a stumbling block.
6. The SLCP is in the process of creating a web-site so as to avoid duplication
Sanath,
ReplyDeleteThank you for explaining the logistics at the Sri Lankan end. This is very reassuring. I am glad that the Physicians are getting organized and setting up a system with the least amount of bottlenecks. We have to learn to operate without government involvement, if possible!
The Sri Lanka Medical Association of North America, Inc. has started a fund raiser and will operate along similar lines. I sent a contribution to them, because it was easy to do it on line. I will give details about their fund raiser in a separate comment to follow.
Good luck to all the hardworking health care workers in Sri Lanka. My thoughts are with all the people who are facing difficulties. "Hang in there!" as they say in the US.
"Hello
ReplyDeleteI thought you might be interested in supporting this GoFundMe, https://gofund.me/8554f16a.
Even a small donation could help Sri Lanka Medical Association North America Inc reach their fundraising goal. And if you can't make a donation, it would be great if you could share the fundraiser to help spread the word.
All funds will go to the vendor’s account directly and supplies will be delivered to Emergency Treatment Unit of National Hospital Sri Lanka.
Thanks for taking a look!"
Trikante Rajapaksa MD,
President , Sri Lanka Medical Association North America Inc
The above note is what I received from Trika Rajapaksa. I asked her how well SLMANA knew the vendors they were dealing with, and she replied:
"The vendors are long time suppliers to the National Hospital in Sri Lanka (General Hospital). It's the Director of Emergency Treatment Unit and Deputy Director of the Hospital that identifies the vendors and forwards the pro forma invoices to us. We then transfer money to vendor's account. This is how we always send donations to SL for every project."
If anyone is inclined to make a donation, SLMANA will appreciate it as well as the recipients in Sri Lanka. Simply click on the "GoFundMe' link which I have included. Thank you.
Nihal, Thank you for your feed back on my choices - Glad you liked them.
ReplyDeleteI could certainly have lived with your fab choices too .
Yes, I remembered “Sleepy Lagoon’ from my distant past - it is a beautiful, haunting melody as you say - and how beautiful your reverie by the lagoon in Katunayake-
“ On an evening, with the setting sun, I often sat at the waters-edge with the wind whistling on my face. I watched the fishermen go out to work. The sky took on a deep crimson glow at sunset as flocks of birds flew in V-formation. “
The only thing missing was your glass of vino ! - I guess you were too young then !
I discovered just days ago that there are romantic lyrics to this melody , sung by several artists - Doris Day, Dinah Shore as well as the Platters . You probably have heard them all.
The error in number 8 of the music I chose was most discreetly brought to my attention by you - Thank you
It was indeed John Lennon’s “Imagine” I meant.
50 yrs since it was recorded- we are still dreaming !
Nihal , My piano is a Yamaha and not a Steinway. Though both are rated equally for quality, a Steinway hits one’s purse twice as hard , and a Yamaha is much easier to maintain.
It is very generous of you to allow a barge for my piano while letting me toss on the tides !!!
As for your romps with the mermaids- you only have to be young at heart . Just remember Hans C. Anderson’s Little mermaid and please don’t break their hearts !
Sorry- the above is in the wrong place and I am unable to delete it .
ReplyDelete