The Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India

The Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India House of Hope is one of six homes for children pertaining to the ministry of Global Ministries partner in Sri Lanka, the Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India (JDCSI). These six homes, including the House of Hope, care for children who either have no family or whose families cannot afford to care for them. These six Jaffna Diocese homes for children serve a total of approximately 300 children. Jaffna College, Uduvil Girl's College, boarding hostels related to these two schools, and eight daycare centers for 600 children from disadvantaged homes also make up part of the outreach ministry of the JDCSI.

Many of the 40 children served by the House of Hope are suffering from the effects of 18 years of fighting in the ethnic conflict between the government forces of Sri Lanka and the fighting force of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The children generally come from single parent homes; some have been displaced by the war and live in refugee camps. Some are separated from their mothers, who live in a sector controlled by the Tigers, while the children are located in government territory. In the midst of this destructive civil war the Jaffna Diocese has expanded its services beyond schools and hospitals in northern Jaffna Peninsula to include children's homes and daycare centers, alternative housing projects, farms, and clinics in locations across this island nation off the southeast coast of India.

The Asian Tsunami of December 26, 2004, destroyed the homes of a few of these children, making their dependence on the House of Hope that much greater.

Most of the basic costs for maintaining a child at House of Hope are covered by the home; however, the families or relatives of the children also are required to pay an increasing portion of the costs, because of the limitations on the financial aid available. Because many cannot afford any payment and because the home is serving the poorest of the poor, additional funds are needed to support these children. Also, many families include multiple children, making payments even more difficult.

House of Hope also seeks additional funds for activities and needs beyond basic maintenance, such as shoes, holiday activities, special provisions for the handicapped, and special education programs. Several children cannot read or write and volunteers are teaching them at the home in “House of Hope College”.

Residents must leave at age 18 and they are at risk if they have no employment skills. Therefore, House of Hope plans to expand its vocational training courses.

Nearly a third of House of Hope's 40 children have physical or mental disabilities. Several have lost legs or toes from landmine explosions; some have asthma, while others have birth defects.

The girls sleep 3-4 to a room with their own beds, dressers, and screens. The boys sleep in one large dorm and keep their possessions in a locker room. There is an attractive inner courtyard and large shaded gardens between the dormitories and the common use building, which includes dining room and kitchen. The children take care of the grounds and are involved in gardening both flowers and vegetables. Recently an attractive, light and airy new building has been completed, which has become the boys dormitory downstairs while upstairs is a large multipurpose room and offices.

The staff is made up of young, concerned Christians who provide loving care for the children, including an Australian missionary couple. A nurse monitors the children’s health and diet. A playground was recently completed and a Special Olympics was held recently – a most happy day. The equipping of a wood and metal working shop is in process to expand the vocational training offerings.

In Sri Lanka there is a general movement in the implementation of childcare away from offering care in institutions to the providing of services to children in their homes and villages. Consequently, House of Hope is going through a period of change. There are plans being made to serve differently-abled children in their home environments, but there is general agreement that there will continue to be a need for a residential homes such as House of Hope for children with special needs because of the continuing problems caused by large numbers of people displaced by the ethnic conflict.