Sri Lanka

During 2004-05, we enjoyed ten programs. Highlights of the year included a special discussion on, "Children in War." We had a fellowship luncheon to attract new members, including a glimpse into the history and culture of our newest member association, Sri Lanka. Our Program Chair, Jerilyn Meripol gave a special presentation on "Self-Discovery through Creative Writing," drawing on many examples within Japanese fiction. A visiting scholar at Northwestern University spoke about the Chettiars, a traditional community in Tamil Nadu, India.

The Los Angeles chapter currently has 15 members. Our chapter sponsors several girls through middle school and high school in Litang, Tibet. Dr. Pamela Logan, who works through Kham Aid Foundation, gives updates on the girls at our meetings.

Our chapter meetings were varied. At our first meeting, our member Dorothy Zurheide reported on the activities of HEIFER INTERNATIONAL, an organization that provides seed livestock to needy people worldwide to support their becoming self-sustaining. Many of our members have contributed to this worthy cause. An extensive history/geography/cultural report was presented on Sri Lanka, ironically only weeks before the tsunami. We supported International Education Week by manning a booth at the University of Toledo. This event is chaired by Temmulen Sunid, one of our members.

We have raised money for our sister chapter in Sri Lanka during 2006-07 through contributions from our own chapter as well as the Toledo chapter to assist the tsunami disaster victims. Shirani visited the recipients of the sewing machines we purchased. She returned from Sri Lanka with many beautifully sewn items that she purchased from the Sri Lankan chapter of PPSEAWA to help them raise funds. These items included table cloths, napkins, sofa cushion covers, nightgowns, blouses, and lace items such as doilies and lace table runners.

Shirani Stanislaus, President of PPSEAWA-LA is deeply involved in tsunami relief efforts, collecting medical supplies, dried foods, and essential items for infants. As Secretary/Vice President of the Sri Lanka Foundation in Los Angeles, she helped set up the SLF Disaster Fund to collect monetary donations for Tsunami survivors in Sri Lanka.