Physical Health Sri Lanka Project #49752

Urgent Medical Surgeries 4 Sri Lanka Children

by Tarana Foundation

Project Report | Dec 17, 2024
Restore Hope: What a great feeling to make little children walk and play just like other Children

By Charmarie Maelge | Volunteer Restore Hope

Dear Friends and Supporters of the Restore Hope Project,

We are thrilled to share the incredible progress made through the 'Restore Hope Project' over the years. Through your generous contributions, we have supported the National Hospital for Children in Sri Lanka—the Lady Ridgeway Hospital—on the GlobalGiving fundraising platform.

Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Restore Hope Project launched a dedicated effort to raise funds to provide essential medical equipment and supplies for children across Sri Lanka in need of orthopaedic treatment. A lack of resources at the hospital led to long waiting lists and many children not receiving the timely care they desperately required.

Thanks to your kindness, we are excited to report that in 2024, a significant donation of medical equipment, valued over US $ 25,000/-, was provided to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital’s Orthopaedic Unit’s Operating Theatre.

Here are a few words from the hospital's dedicated doctors:

Dr. G. Wijesuriya, Director of Lady Ridgeway Hospital, highlighted the vital role the Restore Hope Project has played in advancing orthopedic care. “Early intervention is crucial for these young patients,” he stated. “After these surgeries, children can walk, play, go to school, and live a normal life like any other child.”

Dr. Dimuthu Tennakoon from the Orthopedic Unit explained that the equipment donated allows for surgeries to correct hip deformities caused by birth conditions, infections, and tumors. He noted that this is the first time such advanced equipment has been available in Sri Lanka, allowing for new surgical techniques that were previously impossible due to lack of resources.

Dr. Sunil Wijesinghe expressed his deep appreciation for the generous donation. He shared the motto of the orthopedic surgeons: “Life is movement, and movement is life. Without movement, there is no life.” He encouraged us to continue our mission to improve the lives of Sri Lanka’s children.

We remain committed to helping children across Sri Lanka whose families cannot afford private healthcare. Through our project, we provide essential orthopaedic treatment and corrective surgeries, enabling them to grow and thrive just like other children.

Every cent of your donation goes directly to purchasing medical instruments and supplies that doctors urgently need. All activities of the Restore Hope Project are carried out by dedicated volunteers who work without pay.

We invite you to continue supporting this vital cause, ensuring that children in Sri Lanka receive the care they deserve. Your generosity makes a profound difference in their lives.

Thank you for your continued support.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season, Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

Charmarie

More information

For further information or media inquiries, please contact: Ann Amaratunga on Tel +94 768629294,

E mail: annsamaratunga@gmail.com

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Aug 20, 2024
Donation of Hip Replacement Equipment

By Charmarie Maelge | Volunteer Restore Hope

Hip Replacement Equipment Donation to hospital

Dear Donors,

Restore Hope Project Continues to Support Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children The Restore Hope Project, under the auspices of the Tarana Foundation, reaffirmed its commitment to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children with a significant donation of medical equipment valued at Rs. 7.5 million. The donation ceremony took place on 23 July 2024 at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital Orthopaedic Unit Operating Theatre. The donation included a valuable Rs 2 million from Heuschen & Schrouff Oriental Food in Holland. Erik Heringa and Angel Sivasakthinathan enthusiastically advocated on behalf of their H&S colleagues for donations, emphasizing: “We are deeply grateful to the Tarana Foundation for their outstanding contributions to our beloved Sri Lanka. It has been a true privilege for Angel and me to contribute in this manner”.

Amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Restore Hope Project launched a dedicated effort to raise funds aimed at providing essential equipment for children across the island awaiting orthopaedic treatment. The project culminated in a virtual musical concert featuring Restore Hope brand ambassadors and volunteer musicians, successfully garnering support to address urgent healthcare needs. Since its inception, the project has facilitated multiple donations, including a previous contribution of Rs. 4.6 million worth of Orthopaedic Surgical & Medical Equipment in March 2022. Generous contributions from donors like Nalaka Weragoda and his friends, Roar Media, and Holy Family Convent Old Girls California branch have further bolstered the initiative, enabling critical advancements in paediatric orthopaedic care valuing over Rs 15.8 million. Key donations included were Wipak Rotary Sealer, Nitric Oxide Tank, suture material and an Orthopaedic Trauma Power System. While the project facilitated direct donations, it also received legacy donations from generous donors such as from Dr. P.N. Fernando.

Tarana Foundation was set up as a charity focusing on supporting rural communities, mainly rural children with their needs. Suranjani Wickremeratne, Chairperson of the Tarana Foundation and Co-Chair of the Restore Hope Project, expressed gratitude to all donors for their unwavering support. "Every rupee collected has been utilized to directly benefit the children in need as the project is entirely managed by volunteers," she affirmed. "We are committed to continuing our support for the Lady Ridgeway Hospital and enhancing the quality of life for children."

Ann Amaratunga, Co-Chair of the Restore Hope Project, highlighted the ongoing efforts to meet emerging healthcare challenges. "Our journey has been marked by persistence and community spirit," she remarked. "We urge continued support from the public and media to ensure timely access to medical interventions for all children in need." Ann explained the lengthy road and perseverance to continue with the objective to reach the milestone of exceeding the original target of Rs 22 million. She committed for the second phase target to facilitate the emerging and urgent needs of the Orthopaedic Surgery. Ann reiterated, “This is not something that can be done individually and that everyone needs to help the Hospital so that thousands of children can have corrective surgery at the correct time beating the waiting lists for a brighter future for them and their families”. She appealed to the media to carry the message across so that many others who wish to support can either make a donation to Tarana Foundation or directly provide the required equipment to the Hospital.

The Lady Ridgeway Hospital, a cornerstone in paediatric healthcare, serves approximately 85,000 admissions and 645,000 outpatients annually. Dr. G. Wijesuriya, Director of the hospital, acknowledged the critical role played by the Restore Hope Project in advancing orthopaedic surgery capabilities. "Early intervention is crucial for these young patients," he emphasized. "The support provided by the Tarana Foundation for over four years is instrumental in transforming lives." Dr. Wijesuriya added that there are three orthopaedic surgeons in the hospital and some complex surgeries in the country are only performed at the Lady Ridgway Hospital. He concluded by saying that “ After these surgeries the children can walk like other children, play like other children, go to school like other children and they can lead a normal life like other children.”

Dr. Dimuthu Tennakoon explained that this particular equipment is meant to carry out hip surgery due to birth conditions, infections and tumours. Further adding that this is the first time that Sri Lanka is having such equipment and enabling new surgery techniques. Even though the Sri Lankan doctors have performed such surgeries in other countries, lack of equipment have prevented them from doing so in Sri Lanka.

Dr. Sunil Wijesinghe addressing the gathering appreciated valuable donation. He said the motto of the orthopaedic surgeons is “Life is movement and movement is life, when there is no movement there is no life”. He further encouraged the project to continue to do this service towards of the betterment of the children of this country.

Pictured left to right are Dr. Savithri Dharmarathne, Mrs. Ann Amaratunga, Mrs. Suranjani Wickremeratne, Dr. G. Wijesuriya, Dr. Nirmal Marasinghe and

Donations to support the Restore Hope Project can be made directly to the Tarana Foundation's Children's Hospital Fund at HNB Bank A/C 003020850835 @ Darley Road Branch, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Also, you can donate via GlobalGiving on the following link,

https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/little-feet-help-them-walk-again/

For further information or media inquiries, please contact: Ann Amaratunga on Tel 0768629294,

E mail: annsamaratunga@gmail.com

Links:

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Aug 12, 2024
Thank you and an update

By Suranjani Wickremeratne | President - Tarana Foundation

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