Diocese of Ratnapura Sri Lanka

English Translation:

"LITTLE STAR FUND" DIOCESE OF RATNAPURA, SRI LANKA
சின்ன நட்சத்திர செயற்திட்டம்

WHAT IS "LITTLE STAR"?

This is a Project partnership between the Diocese of Ratnapura in Sri Lankaand the working group World Church Wiener Neustadt, Vicariate North of the Archdiocese of Vienna, along with many friends from Austria.

THE GOAL
Equitable educational opportunities for all people, especially in marginalized habitats,like in remote villages of tea and rubber plantations of the Diocese of Ratnapura.

WHAT WE DO:
Gathering in living solidarity as brothers and sisters of a universal church: building bridges, getting to know each other, exchanging messages of charity.
Solidarity work with Shramadana: working together, building halls, or educational work in pre-school education and sharing experiences,
Sharing: financial, material, intellectual support ...
Sustainability back up by "Little Star" fundraising programs

FROM IDEA TO IMPLEMENTATION

In response to the request made by Most Rev. Dr. Malcolm Ranjith, Bishop of Ratnapura,in the year 1997, the Arbeitskreis of Weltkirche in Wiener Neustadt agreed on afinancial supportfor an educational program in the plantation Sector.

From 1998 to 2007, joined construction activities took place in building multipurpose halls in Tamil plantation sector villages and in Sinhala substation churches of Ratnapura diocese. These construction Projects were financially supported by the AK,the World Church Wiener Neustadt and by other parish groups and sponsors.

These newly built hallsserve as educational institutions for preschool, catechism teaching centers,as well as community halls.

"Little Star" Children fund was established in the diocese Ratnapura according to an idea of Rt. Rev. Dr. Harold Anthony Perera in 2004.And this was started as a fund raising program.

It is a sub-account in the Bishop‘s house of Diocese of Ratnapura under the responsibility of diocesan Bishop. With the interest of the growing capital of this fund the following tasks arecarried out; the continuation of the projects, different education programs, monthly teachers'allowences.

From 2008 up to date, the annual residential integral education program for nursary teachers and catechists has been conducted in order to improve their teaching skills.

HISTORY SINCE 1997

1997
Invitation from Most Rev. Dr. Malcolm Ranjith, Bishop of Ratnapura, to the working group World Church from Wiener Neustadt in the Archdiocese of Vienna to a partnership with an educational project for plantation children in the young Diocese of Ratnapura.

1998 1.
Solidarity visit to Hemingford Estate and Parakaduwa, the substations of the Parish of Dehigahapitiya with Rev. Ruben Perera.
Construction of a multipurpose hall for St. Anthony's Pre-school with Rev. Fr. Dudley Attenayake, Director of Seth-Mini, Justice, Peace and Human Development. (Group: Andrea, Dieter, Dominik, Elisab, Eva, Heidi, Ingrid, Maria, Nicholas, Ulrike)

1999. 2.
Solidarity trip to St. Michael's Church, Embilipitiya.
Construction of multipurpose hall of the parish with Rev. Fr. Sisira Rienzie. (Group: Astrid, Eve, Hans, Karin, Margarethe, Maria, Martina, Veronika)

2000. 3.
Solidarity Journey to Galaboda Estate, St. Francis Xavier's Church, Substation of the Parish of Ratnapura. Construction of a multipurpose hall, for pre-school education with Rev. Fr. Nicholas Fernando.
(Group: Anna, Anita, Elizabeth, Isabell, Klaus, Maria, Susanne, Uschi)

2001. 4.
Solidarity Journey to Aluthnuwara, St. Anne's Church, the substation of the Parish of Belihuloya. Construction of a multipurpose hall and a Montessori "Happy Hours" with Rev. Fr. Paul Fernando.(Group: Dama, Elke, Florian, Kathi, Leo, Linda Lukas, Maria, Martina, Silvia, Teres, Walter)

2002. 5.
Solidarity trip to St. Lazarus Church, Utuwankanda in Mawanella Town. Construction of a multipurpose hall for the parish with Rev. Christopher Kurara. (Group: Florian, Harald, Maria, Marianne, Martina, Sonja, Susanne, Ulrike, Verena)

2003
Visiting Tour of the Parish Missionary Group of Stockerau.
Opening Ceremony of Peace Village in Dehiowita, sponsored by Youth Organization, Mini-Bread for Maxi-Not, Vicariate North of the Archdiocese of Vienna.
(Group: Bernh, Christl, Inge, Sepp, Käthe, Wolf, Brigitte, Eva, Gertr, Maria, Mechth)

2004. 6.
Solidarity trip to Matuwagala Estate, Kiriella, the substations of the parish of Ratnapura. Construction of a multi-purpose hall for Montessori lessons with Rev. Fr. Sisira Rienzie.
First meeting and co-supervision of Kosgolla Estate, Kahangama
(Group: Bernadette, Doris, Harald, Heidi, Florian, Margit, Maria, Michaela, Sabine)

2005. 7.
Solidarity Journey to St, Anne's Church, Ruwanwella, the substation of the Parish of Dehiowita. Construction of a multi-purpose hall for Montessori with Rev. Fr. Neville Jansze. First meeting and since then caring for Hathmattha Estate, Montessori. (Group: Claudia, Florian, Gerhard, Leo, Maria, Reinhard, Walter)

2006. 8.
Solidarity trip to Horamulla Estate, the substation of the Parish of Rakwana. Construction of a multi-purpose hall for preschool lessons with Rev. Fr. Ranjanmal Moraes. (Group: Alexander, Bernadette, Carina, Florian, Gerhard, Gertraud, Malvina, Maria)

2007. 9
Solidarity trip to Walaboda Estate, the substation of the parish of St. Anthony's Church, Keerapathdeniya. Construction of a multi-purpose hall for Good Shepherd Nursery with Rev. Fr. Wigburg Clifford Sherwin. (Group: Alexander, Clara, Florian, Hedi, Maria, Marion, Veronika)

2008 1st of August.
Integral Training Course for Tamil speaking Montessori Teachers and Catechists at St. Vianney Clergy House with Rev. Fr. Sanjeewa Peiris

2009 January
Solidarity visit to the project locations.
(Group: Hubert, Martin, Maria for the working group World Church, Wiener Neustadt)

2009 August
Solidarity visit to the preschools. Integral Training Course for Tamil speaking Montessori teachers and catechists at Vianney House, Bulutota with Rev. Fr. Sanjeevwa Peiris. (Group: Bettina, Ernst, Katharina, Maria)

2010 August
Solidarity visit to the preschools. 3rd Integral Training Course at Vianney House, Bulutota with Rev. Fr. Sanjeewa Peiris. (Group: Rev. Sr. Theresa, Rev. Sr. Magdalena, Christian, Michaela, Mary)

2011 August
Solidarity visit to the Preschools. 4th Integral Training Course in and Vianney House, Bulutota with Rev. Fr. Sanjeewa Peiris. (Group: Daniela, Hedi, Korbinian, Maria)

2012 August
Solidarity visit to the preschools. 5th Integral Training Course at Vianney House, Bulutota with Rev. Fr. Jude Amila. (Group: Anna, Bernadette, Gerda, Hubert, Judith, Maria, Theresa, Veronica).

2013 August
Solidarity to visit preschools. 6th Integral Training Course at Vianney House, Bulutota with, Rev. Fr. A. Maurice. (Group: Helga, Judith, Maria)

2014
Solidarity visit to preschools. 7th Integral Training Course at the Pastoral Center, Avissawella with Rev. Fr. Niroshan Vaz, the Director of Plantation Sector (Group: Judith, Maria, Norbert).

2015
Solidarity visit to the preschools.8th Integral Training Course at Vianney House, Buluthota with Rev. Fr. A. Maurice. (Group: Brigitte, Gabi, Johannes, Maria, Veronika)

2016
Solidarity visit to the preschools. 9th Integral Training Course at Vianney House, Bulutota with Rev. A. Maurice. (Group: Anna, Gabi, Judith, Sarah)

2017
March:
Participation in the Diploma course awarding Ceremony for preschool teachers in Tamil medium. (Group: Hedi, Maria)

August:
Solidarity visit to the preschools. 10th Integral Training Course at Vianney House, Bulutota with Rev. Fr. Anton Maurice. (Group: Gabi, Michaela, Theresa)

2018
March:
Solidarity visit to "Little Star" preschools. 2nd Diploma Awarding Ceremony for preschool teachers in Tamil medium. (Group: Florian, Lola, Maria, Nina)

August:
11th Integral Training Course at Vianney House, Bulutota with Rev. Fr. P. Romesh

2019
March:
Solidarity visit to "Little Star" preschools (Group: Gabi, Maria)

August:
12th Integral Training Course at Vianney House, Bulutota with Rev. Fr. Romesh.

(This is a short summary about "Little Star" project partnership betweenthe Diocese of Ratnapura, Sri Lanka, the Archdiocese of Vienna, Austria and project partners and friends. This was written by Maria Groll, the founder of the “Little Star Friends“ Leobendorf, Austria in August 2019)