One child foundation

1. One Child
Foundation
Annual Progress Report 2019
Dedicated to the welfare
of destitute children

2. DSI Foods has been supplying meals to retail
and airline / travel industry since 2008.
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Phone: 020 8992 5500
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DSI Foods are very proud to support
One Child Foundation

3. One Child Foundation 2019 | 3
One Child Foundation
Our Aims
Relieve Childhood Hunger among
the needy children
Up to December 2017, we helped to feed in excess of
11,500 children in over 100 schools every school day.
Since then the Government of Sri Lanka has taken
over this responsibility. We are currently focusing on
providing nutritional meals to pre-school children in the
Eastern Province.
In 2016, we funded a vegetable farm in an orphanage
that is continuing to provide all the vegetables the
children need. In 2017, we funded the purchase of 6
cows for the same orphanage and they now number
15 cows and calves. They are currently providing all
the milk the children need. In 2018, we provided 211
chicken coops free of charge to the parents of the
children we sponsor in various schools, so they can
look after their other children in their homes.
Offer Education as the most effective
way to help them escape the cycle
of deprivation
In 2018, we funded the education of 224 children in
16 schools and 4 in universities. Today, we are funding
the education of 298 children, 290 of them are
in 18 schools and 8 are in four different universities.
Even though we work mostly with Catholic Schools and
orphanages, we have no religious, ethnic or communal
preferences in choosing the children we help. In our
eyes, they are all children. They are all our children.
Our Mission
Relieve Childhood Hunger among the destitute children in Sri Lanka and Offer Education
as the most effective way to escape their cycle of deprivation.
One Child Foundation was formed nine years ago after
the war in Sri Lanka ended. It was founded by a small
group of friends and family members keen to help the
orphaned and destitute children. Our initial aim was to
provide funds from our own earnings and sponsor a
handful of children. Over the next two years, more and
more friends and family members joined us and the
number of children we sponsored also grew rapidly.
Today, the charity, born as a small private sponsorship
plan, has grown to benefit numerous children.
Thanks to the corporate support, private donations
and sponsorships from individuals and our Trustees,
the number of children we help and sponsor continues
to grow each year.
Our Solemn Promise
Every Pound donated by our sponsors
and supporters goes to the needy children.
No administrative expenses of any kind is
ever charged to the charity. All travel and hotel
expenses incurred while visiting the children,
which we do at least once a year, are paid by
the Trustees out of their own pockets.

4. 4 | One Child Foundation 2019
One Child Foundation is a proudly non-political
organisation. We have never had any political
affiliations nor have we ever had any funding from any
Governmental or non-governmental organisations. All
our funds are raised from the Trustees, their families
and friends and from socially responsible corporates
in the UK and abroad who are happy to offer financial
support to enhance our efforts in helping the needy
children.
The Trustees and their friends sponsor a number of
children on a one-to-one basis, while the corporate
sponsors and some individuals make monthly standing
orders and annual donations, allowing OCF to sponsor
numerous children under its own umbrella.
In addition to the above, we conduct a very popular
fund-raising event, Ninaithale Inikkum (Sweet
Memories) each year, a nostalgic Musical Concert in
Tamil. Costs of these concerts are met mostly by the
Trustees, their friends and our corporate sponsors. Our
events are always successful and profitable.
Saku Manuelpillai (Trustee), Manjula Shanthakumar (Trustee), Newton Timothy (Trustee), Mala Aloysius (Trustee), Cyril Francis (Trustee), Lidia
Subo Timothy (Treasurer), Joseph Mano Manuelpillai (Chairman), Uma Francis (Trustee), Ivor Emmanuel Shanthakumar (Secretary)
Trustees
Charity is the desire to
be beneficial to others,
expecting no benefit
to yourself.
One Child Foundation

5. One Child Foundation 2019 | 5
Why do we do what we do?
If we want to reach real
peace in this world,
we should start
educating children.
Mahatma Gandhi
At the end of our lives, we will
not be judged by how many
diplomas we received, how
much money we made or
how many great things we did.
We will be judged by how
many people we fed, how many
people we clothed and how
many homeless we took in.
Mother Teresa

6. 6 | One Child Foundation 2019
Corporate Sponsors and Supporters

7. 8

8. 8 | One Child Foundation 2019
Raffle
Each year, we conduct a Raffle to raise funds for
OCF. All tickets are sold by the second generation of
children of Sri Lankan parents. That’s our way of trying
to get the youngsters involved in our charity work. In
2018, we gave away Two Return Tickets to Sri Lanka
sponsored by Sri Lankan Airlines and One Return Ticket
to anywhere in the UK sponsored by Virgin Trains.
Two lucky winners walked away happily with their
respective Prizes!
Barclays Bank Staff
The staff at Barclays Bank raised substantial funds
in 2018, by participating in our fund-raising Ninaithale
Inikkum 2018 event. They have promised to do it again
this year.
HSBC Staff
The staff at HSBC also raised funds in 2018, by taking
part in sponsored walks and other activities. They too
have promised to raise funds for us this year.
St Roberts Southwell RC Primary School,
Kingsbury
The children in this school donated four big cartons
of stationery and gifts to the needy children in Sri
Lanka. OCF shipped the goods to Sri Lanka, cleared
them through customs, transported them to individual
schools and handed them over to the children. This was
all done at the Trustees’ own expenses. The children in
the schools were delighted with their gifts of stationery
and other school items and thanked profusely the
children of St Roberts Southwell Primary School.
In addition, the same School raised sums of money by
conducting various activities during 2018 & early 2019.
The Trustees used the money to donate Chicken Coops
and also to offer some solace to the victims of the
Easter Sunday bombings.
Young Sharanya Gajapathy
Sharanya (19) is one of those
generous children who decided to
take part in Ealing Marathon to raise
funds for OCF. She is the daughter
of our singer, Gajan. Sharanya is
in her Gap Year at present and
will be entering London School of
Economics this year to read Economics and Politics.
Initial remittance of £472.03 from her sponsors is
already in our bank. Sharanya is determined to raise
even more funds in the next few months. Thank you,
Sharanya. You’re an example to all our youngsters.
Thousands of candles
can be lit from a single
candle, and the life of
the candle will not be
shortened. Happiness
never decreases by
being shared.
Lord Buddha
Your effort is only
worthwhile if it touches
other people’s lives.
Sadguru
Fund Raising

9. One Child Foundation 2019 | 9
Ninaithale Inikkum Events

10. 10 | One Child Foundation 2019
M Premi Monika, St Cecilia’s College, Batticaloa
Grade 12 & 13(AL) 2018/19 Term Results
Kanesthas Kabilraj, St Patrick’s College, Jaffna
Grade 9 - 2018 term Results
Subjects 1st Term 2nd Term 3rd Term
Religion 97 90 98
Tamil 92 93 90
English 90 80 85
Mathematics 98 98 89
Science & Tech 88 98 93
History 97 97 94
Cit.Edu & LC 88 91 98
Geography 99 94 93
Health & Phy Edu. 95 90 94
Art/Music 93 96 92
App. Tech. 96 91 98
Sinhala 88 100 96
Grade A in all subjects
Two of our Star Pupils
Subjects 2nd
Term
‘18
3rd
Term
‘18
1st
Term
‘19
2nd
Term
‘19
Tamil 76 69.5 55.5 80.5
Christian Civilisation 88.5 88 79 78
Political Science 68.5 86.5 92 89
AVERAGE 77.7 81.3 75.5 82.5
Grade A in all subjects
Out of more than 300 children we help
to educate, if we can help to bring 3
youngsters out of poverty and illiteracy to
knowledge and happiness, we would have
accomplished what we set out to do.
One Child Foundation

11. One Child Foundation 2019 | 11
Thank You
Education breeds Confidence.
Confidence breeds Hope.
Hope breeds Peace and Peace
breeds Prosperity.
Confucius
நன் றி கூறல்
பத்திரிசிய அன்னனயவளின்
அன் புப்பிள்னளகளாய்
பாரினில் பக்குவமாய் வாழ்னவ
நகர்த்திட
பினழகள் செய்கின் ற பபாது
தண் டித்து
எம்னம வழி நடத்திய கல்லூரி
அன்னனபய
வாழ்வின் அழியாத பல துன் பியல்
நிகழ்வுகள்
எம் கல்விக்கு தனடயாய் வந்த
சபாது
உதவிடும் கரமாய் எமக்கு கினடத்த
ONE CHILD FOUNDATION
அனமப்பினபர
நீ ங்கள் எம் பதனவ உணர்ந்து
எம் குடும்ப நினல அறிந்து
எம் வாழ்வில் ஒளிபயற்ற
உதவிக்கரமாய் நீ ங்கள் வந்தீர்கள்
கல்லூரியில் அங்கத்துவம் சபற்று
கல்வியில் நாம் முன் பனறி சென் றிட
அல்லும் பகலும் பல கஷ் டங்களின்
மத்தியில்
எமக்காய் உனழத்த உங்கனள
என்றும் மறபவாம்
உங்களின் உதவிகளால் நாம்
அனடந்தனவ பல:
வருடாந்த இல்ல சமய்வன்னம
பபாட்டிகள்
காற்பந்தாட்ட துடுப்பாட்ட
பபாட்டிகள்
கனல நிகழ்வு பபாட்டிகள்
இவற்றில் நாம் ொதித்தனவ
கல்லூரி ஏடுகள் ொன்று பகரும்
பொதனனகனள ொதனனகளாக்கி
துன் பங்கனள இன் பங்களாக்கி
எம்மவர்களின் வாழ்வில்
ஒளிபயற்றிய -
உங்களுக்கு
உள்ளத்துப் பூரிப்புடன் நன் றியால்
துதிக்கின் பறாம்
நானளய எதிர்காலத்துக்காய்
எம்னம செம்னமப்படுத்தி
நீ ங்கள் காட்டிய
முன் மாதிரினககனள பின் பற்றி
பத்திரிசிய அன்னனயின்
பிள்னளகள் அனனவருக்கும்
நன் றிகள் கூறி சபருனமயுடன்
வினட சபறுகின் பறாம்
த. பிரதீபன்
நன் றி கூறல்
பத்திரிசிய அன்னனயவளின்
அன் புப்பிள்னளகளாய்
பாரினில் பக்குவமாய் வாழ்னவ
நகர்த்திட
பினழகள் செய்கின் ற பபாது
தண் டித்து
எம்னம வழி நடத்திய கல்லூரி
அன்னனபய
வாழ்வின் அழியாத பல துன் பியல்
நிகழ்வுகள்
எம் கல்விக்கு தனடயாய் வந்த
சபாது
உதவிடும் கரமாய் எமக்கு கினடத்த
ONE CHILD FOUNDATION
அனமப்பினபர
நீ ங்கள் எம் பதனவ உணர்ந்து
எம் குடும்ப நினல அறிந்து
எம் வாழ்வில் ஒளிபயற்ற
உதவிக்கரமாய் நீ ங்கள் வந்தீர்கள்
கல்லூரியில் அங்கத்துவம் சபற்று
கல்வியில் நாம் முன் பனறி சென் றிட
அல்லும் பகலும் பல கஷ் டங்களின்
மத்தியில்
எமக்காய் உனழத்த உங்கனள
என்றும் மறபவாம்
உங்களின் உதவிகளால் நாம்
அனடந்தனவ பல:
பொதனனகனள ொதனனகளாக்கி
துன் பங்கனள இன் பங்களாக்கி
எம்மவர்களின் வாழ்வில்
ஒளிபயற்றிய -
உங்களுக்கு
உள்ளத்துப் பூரிப்புடன் நன் றியால்
துதிக்கின் பறாம்
நானளய எதிர்காலத்துக்காய்
எம்னம செம்னமப்படுத்தி
நீ ங்கள் காட்டிய
முன் மாதிரினககனள பின் பற்றி
பத்திரிசிய அன்னனயின்
பிள்னளகள் அனனவருக்கும்
நன் றிகள் கூறி சபருனமயுடன்
வினட சபறுகின் பறாம்
த. பிரதீபன்

12. 12 | One Child Foundation 2019
We visited St Patrick’s College, Jaffna soon after the
war ended and met the children who had just arrived
from the Vanni refugee camp. We accepted 10 children
immediately who desperately needed our help and
started to send funds immediately for their education
and upkeep. Since then, we have been increasing
the number of children we sponsor in this esteemed
educational establishment. We visit the children
each year and have been noticing the remarkable
improvement in their well-being. Thanks to St Patrick’s
College, their progress in education and social
interaction have been remarkable.
We are currently sponsoring 26 children in this
reputable college. They are from a multiplicity of social
backgrounds and are of a variety of ages. They all have
one thing in common: They are all in need of our help
and they are all very keen to study.
St Patrick’s College, Jaffna
Education is teaching
our children to desire
the right things in life.
Plato

13. One Child Foundation 2019 | 13
St Antony’s College, Kayts was the first school we
visited when we formed One Child Foundation. A
number of our Trustees are past students of this
institution. We started with 15 orphaned children at the
hostel and increased the number to 20 in the second
year. Since then, the number of children has been rising
and falling as needed. We work very closely with the
Rector of this College, Rev. Fr Singarayar.
We are currently sponsoring 27 children in total
including some day-scholars. Year after year, OCF
sponsored children continue to perform better than the
average child in the whole college. Two of the children
we sponsored have entered the university this year and
we are
St Antony’s College, Kayts
Education, beyond
all other devices of
human origin, is a great
equaliser of conditions
of men…the balance
wheel of the social
machinery…. It prevents
being poor.
Horace Mann

14. 14 | One Child Foundation 2019
We visited this school 6 years ago and after witnessing
the quality of education and character-building the
Sisters were offering the kids, we decided to sponsor 8
of them immediately. We are currently sponsoring 14
children here.
We pay for their hostel accommodation, food, clothing
and for some private tuition. The children are all from
very poor families, but they are all very keen to study.
Their homes are in different parts of Kayts Islands and
Jaffna Peninsula from which they cannot travel to the
school daily. They go to their respective homes only at
term times.
This year, we had one of our sponsored children enter
the University of Jaffna. We promised that child before
her examinations that we would continue to sponsor
her at the University as well. And, we are keeping that
promise and are continuing to fund her.
Little Flower Girls’ School, Karmapon
Intelligence plus
character- that is the
goal of true education.
Martin Luther King

15. One Child Foundation 2019 | 15
This school is situated in a deprived area in Kayts and
needs a lot of help and support. We visited the school
in 2014 and found the hostel had around 20 children
out of which only 5 were fee-paying students. It was
clear to us that the non-fee paying children in the hostel
were from very poor families with no parent or with
one unwell or unemployed parent. We started with 4
children in the first year and steadily increased the
number as we gained confidence that the children were
receiving good quality education and upbringing. In
2016, we decided to increase the number to cover all
the non-fee paying students.
This year, in 2019, OCF is looking after all 18 needy
children in this hostel. No other charity is involved in
helping these children.
Holy Family Convent, Kayts
You educate a man;
you educate an
individual. You educate
a woman; you educate
a generation.
Brigham Young

16. 16 | One Child Foundation 2019
We visited this prestigious convent- school in 2016 and
found that the School had a number of day-scholars
who were destitute and needed our help. They either
had no parents or had only single parents, unable to
earn enough to look after them. We realised to our great
sadness, that attending school regularly was a major
challenge to them. We immediately decided to help
such children so they could continue to concentrate
on their studies, rather than worry about their day-to-
day existence. In addition to achieving a successful
future for themselves, these children could also provide
an escape route to their families out of the cycle of
deprivation. Last year, we included 4 more children who
are in their hostel.
We currently sponsor 15 children, 4 of them are in
hostel while 11 are day-scholars.
Holy Family Convent, Jaffna
Strengthen the female
mind by enlarging it,
and there will be an end
to blind obedience.
Mary Wollstonecraft

18. 18 | One Child Foundation 2019
We visited this reputable college in Ilavalai, Jaffna,
in February 2018 and were really impressed with the
effort the Warden of the hostel was making in looking
after the children in his care. The College had suffered
building damages during the war and most have
already been repaired. The study halls, refectory and
the dormitory were well laid out and were maintained
well.
There are altogether 40 children in the hostel and many
of them are either fee-paying or are already sponsored
by the past students and other charities. After
discussion with the Warden, we agreed to take over the
sponsorship of 8 children who are not sponsored by
anyone else, and needed our help. In January 2019, we
increased that number and we now sponsor 15 children
there, all in the hostel.
St Henry’s College is a well-known boys’ school and
one of our Trustees is an old boy of it. We have every
confidence that if we support the children in SHC, it will
produce high-quality men who would succeed in their
studies and be successful in their lives.
St Henry’s College, Ilavalai Hostel
A good head and good
heart are always a
formidable combination.
But, when you add to
that a literate tongue
and pen, then you have
something very special.
Nelson Mandela

19. One Child Foundation 2019 | 19
We visited this School hostel in 2016 for the first
time and observed first-hand how much the Sisters
were struggling to look after the children due to
lack of funds. The children were all from very poor
families with no parent or a single parent who was
unwell, disabled or long-term unemployed. We offered
immediately to sponsor 10 children from the hostel and
started to send funds immediately. Since then, we visit
this hostel every year and closely review the children’s
progress.
In January 2019, we visited the School again and found
the children were making great progress and a number
of them were getting ready to sit their Advanced Level
examinations. A very satisfactory state of affairs
indeed. We have promised to continue to sponsor them
if they entered universities.
We also plan to increase the number of children to an
extent that the warden would not have to reply on any
other charities ever again.
Holy Family Convent, Ilavalai Hostel
The whole purpose of
education is to turn
mirrors into windows.
Sydney J Harris

20. 20 | One Child Foundation 2019
In 2017, when we visited this school, the Principal
asked us to consider helping some Day-Scholars whose
families were very poor and were unable to look after
them. She also convinced us that the children were
all very keen to study but were unable to concentrate
on their studies because of poverty. We immediately
agreed to sponsor 10 children. In 2019, we are
sponsoring 15 of the children.
Holy Family Convent, Ilavalai-Day-Scholars
Education is the Power to
Think Clearly, the Power to Act
proportionate, and the Power to
Appreciate Life.
Brigham Young
The World will never realise
100% of its goals if 50% of its
people cannot realise their
full potential. Only when we
unleash the power of women,
we can secure the future of all.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon.

21. One Child Foundation 2019 | 21
We visited this hostel in Naranthanai, managed by Fr
Anandakumar who is OCF’s Coordinator for Kayts. We
were surprised to learn that Fr Anandakumar has been
running this hostel for the needy children for a year or
so without any help from outside. He has a fairly large
chicken coop and some small vegetable plots from
which he gets eggs and vegetables and with a little help
from his parishioners, he manages to feed the children
and looks after them.
The children go to the schools nearby, namely St
Antony’s and to Naranthanai Vidyalaya and they
help each other after school to study and pass their
examinations.
After talking to him and to the children, we decided to
help and offered to take all of them under our care.
We are currently sponsoring all 10 children in the
Hostel.
Children’s Hostel, Naranthanai
It’s the action and not the fruit
of the action that matters. It
may not be in your power to
bring forth the fruit of your
action. You may not experience
any fruit at all in your life time.
But that doesn’t mean you stop
your action. If you do nothing,
there will be no result at all. So,
always do the right thing.
Mahatma Gandhi

22. 22 | One Child Foundation 2019
Puthukkudiyiruppu is probably one of the most deprived
areas in North and East of Sri Lanka. The final part of
the war between the rebels and the Government forces
took place here and many thousands of people were
killed and injured in its vicinity.
OCF has always wanted to sponsor a few children in
this very poor area but could not make contact with
any person who could spearhead our plans. Recently,
we learnt that a new hostel was being built, where 50
of the most destitute children were going to be looked
after. Interestingly, we learnt that Fr Robinson would be
in charge of this hostel. We had known Fr Robinson for
a long time and had high regard and respect for him.
We immediately got in touch with Fr Robinson and
offered to help all 50 of children in the hostel. Fr
Robinson told us that construction of the hostel was
not yet completed, and it should be completed and
running before year end 2019.
Puthukkudiyiruppu Vidyalaya
Overcoming poverty is
not a task of charity, but
is an act of justice.
Nelson Mandela
We then agreed that we would help some of the
needy children even before the hostel could start by
sponsoring them as day-scholars. We are currently
sponsoring 27 children from this very needy region and
intend to increase it to 50 when the Hostel is ready.

23. One Child Foundation 2019 | 23
We visited this college for the first time in January
2019, at the invitation of the Bishop of Trincomalee.
At the first meeting itself, we were very impressed with
the quality of education and upbringing the children
were receiving in this college. We agreed immediately
to sponsor 12 children from this college.
We have now completed 6 months of sponsorship
and are very pleased with the progress the children
are making. We aim to increase the number of children
this year.
St Mary’s Convent, Trincomalee
Most tanks have several Ghats.
At one ghat, Hindus draw water and
call it Jal; at another Mohammedans
draw water and call it pani; at a third
Christians draw the same liquid
and call it water. The substance is
one though the names differ, and
everyone is seeking the same thing.
Every religion of the world is one
such Ghat. Walk with a sincere and
earnest heart by any of these Ghats
and you will reach the water of
Eternal Bliss. Never say your Ghat is
better than that of another.
Sri Ramakrishna

24. 24 | One Child Foundation 2019
Miani Nagar Boys Home
Miani Nagar Boys Home has around 40 boys who are
either orphans or from very poor families. The priests
looking after these children are highly dedicated to the
welfare of these kids. The orphanage has excellent
facilities and provides a very healthy and happy
environment for the children. We visited the orphanage
in 2015 and were utterly impressed with the manner in
which the hostel was being managed, showing great
affection and care towards the kids. Immediately after
the visit, we decided to help and work closely with these
children.
Once we started working with these children, we felt
that they would benefit much more if they could get
admission into St Michael’s College, Batticaloa, instead
of going to a local school. St Michael’s is a leading Boys
College in the Eastern Province. Thanks to the far-
sightedness of the Principal and the dedication of the
Director of the Orphanage, we managed to obtain entry
to 13 children to St Michael’s College.
St Michael’s College, Batticaloa
A Mini-bus for the children to travel to school, donated by OCF
Live as if you were to die
tomorrow. Learn as if
you were to live forever.
Mahatma Gandhi
We also acquired a minivan to transport the kids to the
College each day. A week they entered the college, one
of our Trustees took the 13 children to the local shops
and bought them new shirts, trousers, vests, socks,
shoes, trainers etc. so they could go to the new school
looking like all other children.
Since then, those children’s education has improved
tremendously. The number of children has increased to
15 in total.

25. One Child Foundation 2019 | 25
The Director of this orphanage, Fr Hrudaya works very
closely with the Trustees of OCF. In fact, in addition to
being in charge of the 40 children in his care, he is also
OCF’s Coordinator for Batticaloa, visiting the schools
and the children we sponsor monthly and monitoring
their studies. Until 2018, we did not sponsor any of the
children directly in this hostel, but we have spent time
and money in promoting their well-being in different
ways.
In addition to the hostel for the boys, there is an
educational institute teaching recognised courses
such as Hotel Management and IT. We are currently
considering sponsoring young adults who attend the
institute, as we are confident that these courses would
provide immediate path to employment.
In the current year, we are planning to directly sponsor
some of the students in this hostel.
Miani Nagar Boys Home, Batticaloa
Knowledge will bring
you the opportunity to
make a difference
Claire Fagan

26. 26 | One Child Foundation 2019
Similar to St Michael’s College for boys, St Cecilia’s
is a very reputable leading College for girls in
Batticaloa. We visited the College in 2016 and were
really impressed with the high-quality of education and
extracurricular activities offered by the college. During
our visit, the Principal of the College described how
badly some of the children in her care were affected by
the war and requested OCF to help them.
We immediately started with 10 children and that
number has remained the same up to date. They are all
of different ages and are of various classes and social
backgrounds. They all have one thing in common: They
are all financially deprived and they all want to study
and do well in life.
We plan to increase the number of children we sponsor
in this school in the years to come.
St Cecilia’s College, Batticaloa
Poverty has many
roots which need to be
eradicated step by step,
whereas, its tap root is
ignorance. That must
be destroyed urgently.
Lyndon B Johnson

27. One Child Foundation 2019 | 27
When we visited Batticaloa in 2017, we noticed St
Joseph’s School situated near Miani Nagar Boys’
Home had so many poor & needy children. We visited
the school on a school day and discussed the condition
with the Principal and his assistant. Both of them were
happy to receive us and persuaded us to help some of
the needy children.
We requested Fr Hrudaya, Director of Miani Nagar
Boys’ home, to be our representative in Batticaloa, to
interview the needy children and come up with a list
of 10 children who would benefit from our help. Fr
Hrudaya understands how we operate and what our
Charity’s aims and aspirations are.
Today, we are helping 10 children in this school and are
happy to increase this number as the needs arise. The
Trustees have no idea if any one of these children is a
Hindu, Catholic or Buddhist. There is no space in our
forms for the child’s religious denomination.
St Joseph’s School, Batticaloa
So many religions, so many
paths, all to reach the
same goal. I have practiced
Hinduism, Islam, Christianity
and many other faiths in my
time. I have found that they are
all directing their steps towards
the same goal of Eternal Bliss,
but following different paths.
Swami Ramakrishna

28. 28 | One Child Foundation 2019
Naranthanai Vidyalaya is a relatively small school
in Kayts but is nevertheless a feeder school for St
Antony’s College, Little Flower School in Karampon
and St Patrick’s College, Jaffna. The school has no
hostel and its main task is to prepare the children to
enter a good Upper School. We visited the school in
2016 and witnessed the general poverty in the area but
were impressed with the keenness of the children to
study. After discussing with the Principal, we agreed to
support 5 children. In 2017, we increased the number
of children to 10 and in 2018 onwards, we are looking
after 16 children.
Fr Anandakumar, Coordinator of OCF in the Northern
Province is keeping a watchful eye on the progress
these children are making so they can be encouraged
to study hard, pass their exams and enter a good
college for higher studies. We have assured the children
that OCF will continue to support them if they enter
a high-quality upper school and eventually a good
university. In such deprived areas, the children must
aspire to do even more than what their parents and
peers expect them to do and it is our duty to encourage
them.
Naranthanai Vidyalaya, Kayts
Education is our
passport to the future,
for tomorrow belongs
to the people who
prepare for it today.
Malcolm X

29. One Child Foundation 2019 | 29
Sinnamadhu Vidyalaya is also a very small school in
a little village with no hostel facilities and offers only
primary education. Despite being a small school, it is
nevertheless a feeder school to St Antony’s College
in Kayts, Little Flower School in Karampon and to
St Patrick’s College in Jaffna. We visited this school
in 2016 and met the principal and the children. The
children didn’t even have enough exercise books to
work on, so, we bought them a large stock of exercise
books that very day. We agreed to support 5 children.
In 2017, we increased the number to 10. The children
and parents are well aware that if the child, for any
reason whatsoever, stops coming to school, the
support will automatically stop.
Sinnamdhu Vidyalaya, Kayts
If you think education
is expensive,
try ignorance.
Robert Orben

30. 30 | One Child Foundation 2019
Suruvil Vidyalaya is also a small school that prepares
children to enter the upper schools in other areas.
Once the children pass their Primary School level
examinations, they would enter Little Flower School,
St Antony’s College, Kayts or a similar institution
elsewhere in Jaffna.
Here again, we sponsored 5 children in 2016 and
increased the number to 10 in 2017 and are continuing
to sponsor the same number in 2019.
Suruvil Vidyalaya, Kayts
Education is the
kindling of a flame, not
the filling of a vessel.
Socrates

31. One Child Foundation 2019 | 31
This is another primary school in Kayts that acts as a
feeder school to St Antony’s Kayts and the Little Flower
School. We visited it in 2016 and agreed to sponsor
5 children, just so we can establish their keenness to
work with us.
In 2017, following our visit there, we increased the
number of children to 10 and since the start of 2018,
we have been sponsoring 12 children. Last year, two
of our children entered Little Flower School and we are
continuing to sponsor them there.
Mellinchumunai Vidyalaya, Kayts
The educated differ
from the uneducated
as the living differ
from the dead.
Aristotle

32. 32 | One Child Foundation 2019
This school is a single-sex school in the same premises
as St Antony’s College, Kayts and in many ways is a
primary school for its students.
Our agreement to sponsor 10 children’s education was
intended not only to help those 10 children but also to
encourage many other children in the same school to
study hard to be sponsored by an institution such as
OCF.
We encourage the children in the school not to drop
out of school and we inspire the parents to have bigger
dreams for their kids. The hardest task for the Trustees
of OCF is to persuade the children and their parents to
have greater aspirations to do well in life.
We plan to increase the children sponsored here to 15
in the coming months.
Don’t ever forget that
there are millions of
children who do not get
good education. You will
never achieve what you
want to be until they
accomplish what they
want to be.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Kayts Boys’ Vidyalaya

34. 34 | One Child Foundation 2019
Review of Children’s Performance
The Trustees make it a point to visit every school each
year (Jan/Feb) and review the school reports of each
child OCF sponsors. These visits and their associated
expenses are all paid for by the Trustees themselves.
No travel or any other expenses is ever claimed or
reimbursed to the Trustees.
During these annual visits, we encourage the children
who have done well by congratulating them, pinning
OCF Badges on them. We also try and persuade the
children who have not done well to study hard in the
current year so they too can win OCF Badges during
our next visit. The Trustees also meet the parents of
the children we sponsor and interact with them so we
could get to know their difficulties as well. We do what
we can, within our limited resources, to help them. In
January 2019, OCF distributed 211 Chicken Coops and
2110 chicks to the parents of the children we sponsor,
as part of our efforts to help the parents as well.
Annual Visits

35. One Child Foundation 2019 | 35

36. 36 | One Child Foundation 2019
We have always promised our children
that our sponsorship would continue
if they study hard and enter any of the
universities in Sri Lanka. We feel it is
essential that we make such a promise
in advance so that the children from
poor families know that their efforts
will be rewarded, that they will be able
to enter Universities and come out as
graduates or professionals and that
the poverty of the parents will not stop
them from achieving their aims. We
now have 8 youngsters in Universities
reading a variety of subjects.
Sopana Vincent de Paul
University of Kelaniya Engineering
Technology
Gopi Gopinath
Jaffna University, Hotel Management
Nironya Vaseeharan
University of Peradeniya - Arts
Sobia Vincent de Paul
University of Wayambo,
reading Robotic Engineering
Nicholas Melanius
University of Batticaloa Drama
and Theatre Studies
Jency Santhirasekar
Jaffna University - Performing Arts
Joseph N L Jerad
University of Batticaloa Drama
and Theatre Studies
Thakshana David
University of Peradeniya - Arts
University Students

38. 38 | One Child Foundation 2019
OCF usually sponsors only children in schools,
recommended by their principals. In certain exceptional
cases, we also sponsor an entire family of children
who are looked after by their own parents or guardians.
A Family in Jaffna
We were introduced to this family by our Coordinator
in Jaffna, who had known the mother for many years.
Her children were 10, 7 and 6 years of age in 2017,
attending two different schools.
• Vyisheika at Chundukuly Girls’ School, Jaffna
• Sayunthan at Vayavilan Sri Velupillai Vidyalayam and
• Abishek at Vayavilan Sri Velupillai Vidyalayam.
Families in Need
Mother is the name
for God in the lips and
hearts of little children.
William Makepeace Thackeray
A Family in Mullaitivu
We were introduced to this family January 2019. The
father is ill and unemployed and the mother is trying
hard to make her ends meet. The eldest son has
followed a Hotel Room Attendant course in Batticaloa
and is doing, ‘On the job training’ at present. We are
certain he could look after himself from now on.
We were approached by a Rev. Sister known to us to
sponsor the second child, a young boy of 19 doing
his A/L, whose ambition is to become a lawyer. After
learning about the family, we decided to sponsor all
four children.
• Jesipan: 20 years - Hotel Room Attendant Course,
Batticaloa.
• Jenipan: 19 years - Grade 13, (A/L) Iranaipaalai
Mahavidyalayam
• Jerian: 18 Years - Grade 12, Iranaipaalai
Mahavidyalayam
• Jerina: 14 Years - Grade 09, Iranaipaalai
Mahavidyallayam
• Jerusa: 9 Years - Grade 04, Iranaipaalai
Mahavidyalayam
Our Coordinator in Mullaitivu has assured us that he
would supervise the children’s education and vouch for
their wellbeing.
We welcome both families into our One Child
Foundation family.
After meeting the mother and the eldest child at
Chundukuly Girls’ School, we decided to sponsor the
eldest child first and then agreed to sponsor the other
two children as well.
This is the 3rd year we are helping this needy family.
We are informed that the children are all doing well at
school.

39. One Child Foundation 2019 | 39
Nutritional Meals to Children
A few years ago, we learnt from various Principals of
the schools in the Islands that many of the children
from poor families were coming to school hungry
because their parents or guardians were unable to give
them breakfast. They desperately needed our help.
In 2015, we started to help offering midday meals
to 2,995 children in 20 schools. In 2016, we helped
to feed all 9,493 children in all 63 schools and in 2017,
we increased the number to over 11,500 children in
over 100 schools in the Islands of Kayts as well as in
the Madhu District. By the end of 2017, the Government
of S/L took over the programme and is currently
offering similar meals to each child. Since then, we
moved on to consider other areas where the children’s
nutritional needs can be fulfilled.
In 2019, we received a request from Batticaloa asking
us to offer nutritional meals for pre-school children. We
agreed and have started giving the nutritional meals
in the first pre-school, which is a commitment to offer
24,000 meals a year. If this proves useful, we would
proceed to offer the same help to the children in Pre-
schools in other areas.
If we can conquer space,
surely we can conquer
childhood hunger.
Buzz Aldrin

40. 40 | One Child Foundation 2019
Nutritional Meals to Children

41. One Child Foundation 2019 | 41
In 2014, when we visited the Miani Nagar Orphanage,
we were very impressed with the good work the
Director of this orphanage and his assistants were
doing in looking after the children in their care. The
children were mostly orphans affected by the war and
Tsunami. We decided to fund a vegetable farm on a
piece of land that they already owned.
On receipt of the funds from OCF, the Director prepared
the land by bringing new soil from outside and added
organic manure, separating the vegetable plots from
other areas. Within a few months the vegetable farm
became very successful and is considered an example
to all other institutions on ‘Sustainable Development’.
The students are enjoying freshly grown and harvested
vegetables each day. The farm is currently producing
enough vegetables to feed the children and the left over
are sold locally.
Vegetables for Children
Give a bowl of rice to a man
and you will feed him for a day.
Teach him how to grow his own
rice and you will save his life.
Confucius
Year 2019 is the fifth year the farm is functioning
without any further help from OCF. We are delighted
that, in a small way, we have proven what the
great philosopher Confucius said 2500 years ago,
quoted below.

42. 42 | One Child Foundation 2019
In 2016, six of our friends from the UK visited Miani
Nagar orphanage and stayed there one night. They
were impressed with the way the children were being
looked after and the manner in which the vegetable
farm was being cultivated. They noticed that the
children were not drinking enough milk. Cows’ milk was
being purchased from outside at high prices.
On their return they helped OCF to fund the purchase
of 6 cows of different ages. The Director built a special
place for the cows to be housed and arranged to grow
a particular type of grass that could improve their
milk production. In January 2018, when we visited the
orphanage we found the cows had multiplied and were
providing ample milk to the children. Since then, the
orphanage has stopped buying milk from outside.
In January 2019, we found there were 15 cows and
calves and the children were having plenty of milk to
drink. Very satisfying indeed.
Milk for Children

43. One Child Foundation 2019 | 43
The Trustees have been visiting all the schools each
year for the last 9 years at their own expense. During
these visits, we look at the children’s school reports,
congratulate those who have done well and encourage
those who have not. The principals, wardens, students
and their parents, all know that the Trustees would
visit them at the beginning of each year and they
are prepared for it. Such visits inspire the principals,
wardens and teachers and encourage the children
to study hard, knowing their sponsors are interested
enough to visit them each year and to examine their
school reports.
Chicken Coops
In January 2018, three of our Trustees went to Sri
Lanka and visited all the schools where our children
were studying. This time, we made it a point to meet
the children as well as their parents and guardians
as well. During these face-to-face meetings with
the parents and guardians, we felt that, in addition
to helping the children to study, we should help the
parents and guardians so they could look after their
other children at home as well.
After discussions with them, we decided to donate the
needy parent or guardian an OCF Chicken Coop with
10 young chicks each. We wanted to help them in a
small way, to be self-reliant in their own homes and
win their self-respect back. Our local representatives
were excited to take on this project and started to
recruit some parents to do the pilot run. Since then, we
engaged a few carpenters in the areas to make the OCF
Chicken Coops and arranged for the purchase of good
quality chicks as well.

44. 44 | One Child Foundation 2019
Chicken Coops
We raised funds at a Trustee’s birthday party for the
first 100 units and invited the attendees of our Fund
Raising event in 2018 to contribute for a further 50.
We also asked our corporate sponsors and their staff
to sponsor some of the Coops and chicks.
In total, we managed to raise enough funds to donate
211 Chicken Coops with 2110 chicks to parents in
Kayts, Jaffna, Ilavalai and Battocaloa. The parents were
delighted with the Chicken Coops and took them home
with great care. We visited a couple of houses who
had accepted the chicken coops more than six months
earlier and found their chicks had grown well and
had started to lay eggs. Those chicks had become an
intricate part of the family’s wealth and the eggs were
feeding everyone in the family. Very satisfactory results
indeed.
We would like to continue this project in other areas
and would invite anyone interested in this worthy cause
to come forward and contact us.
Beneficiaries Number
of Coops
Parents of children at St Henry's College, Ilavalai 19
Parents of children at Holy Family Convent, Ilavalai 50
Parents of children at St Antony's College, Kayts 5
Parents of children at Naranthanai Vidyalaya, Kayts 5
Parents of children at St Patrick's College, Jaffna 18
Parents of children in other needy areas in Jaffna 14
Parents of children at St Joseph's College, Batticaloa 100
TOTAL number of Chicken Coops Donated in 2018 211
If universal equality prevails in every
part of the world, Earth would be the
Heaven foretold while Hell would be
a fable.
Anonymous

45. One Child Foundation 2019 | 45

46. 46 | One Child Foundation 2019
Study Benches for the Children
Normally, OCF does not fund any capital expenditure
such as construction of schools, churches, temples etc.
Our funds are solely spent on education and upkeep of
the children we sponsor. In 2018, we were approached
by the Director of Miani Orphanage who is also our
coordinator for Batticaloa area. He said the children
in his orphanage (many of them sponsored by us) are
falling back in studies because they have no tuition
classes in the evenings and weekends. In Sri Lanka
today, most children go for tuition classes after school
and without that additional help, they cannot get good
results in their examinations. Tuition, like everywhere
in the world, is pricy. I could see that in Sri Lanka,
‘Schooling is free, but Education is expensive’.
Miani Tuition Centre
In order to overcome this shortfall, the Director of
the orphanage, constructed 12-13 classes in his
premises at his own expenses and wanted OCF to
fund only the Study Benches and the initial stationery.
After deliberations, OCF decided to fund the Study
Benches and initial Stationery. Total cost to OCF was
Rs. 962,050.00. The Director hired a handful of very
dedicated teachers who opted to serve in the Miani
Tuition Centre rather than teach elsewhere.
In January 2019, the tuition Centre was officially
declared open by the President of OCF and his wife
(fellow Trustee) and they were able to observe first-
hand how the Tuition Center functioned. They were
absolutely convinced that OCF funds were well-spent.
Miani Tuition Centre serves not only the children of
the orphanage but also the children in the surrounding
areas. There are over 215 children learning in this
institution every day.

47. One Child Foundation 2019 | 47
Each year, when we visit Miani Nagar Boys Home,
we provide a few treats and entertainments for the
children. We take them out to the beach, to a restaurant
for a special dinner, organise a BBQ at the hostel or take
them out to a movie at the local cinema.
In January 2018, we celebrated Thai Pongal in the
morning, took them for a movie in the afternoon and in
the evening, we arranged a special dinner at the hostel
with dance music and entertainment. Expenses were all
met by the visiting Trustees themselves.
In 2019, we took them for a big dinner at a reputable
Restaurant in town. The children were delighted
with the atmosphere of the private dining hall in the
restaurant and enjoyed the variety of dishes served
there. Again, the expenses were all met by the Trustees
themselves.
Special Treat for the Children
The simplest acts of
kindness are by far
more powerful than
a thousand heads
bowing in prayer.
Mahatma Gandhi

48. 48 | One Child Foundation 2019
In April 2019, terrorists entered three churches and
three international hotels and detonated suicide bombs
which killed more than 260 people and injured many
more. Soon after it happened, we felt that those people
in Zion Church in Batticaloa were probably more in need
of help than anyone else, which turned out to be true.
Our Coordinator in Batticaloa reported that many elders
and children were still in hospital and were struggling to
cope with their everyday needs. In response, we spoke
to our supporters and corporate sponsors and with
their help and the help of the Trustees, we raised a total
sum of Rs 1,117,000 and sent it all to the people via our
coordinator in Batticaloa.
Easter Sunday Carnage in 2019
Our coordinator has been visiting the affected people’s
homes and offering financial and emotional help to
them. In addition, he is also contacting the young
adults affected by the incident and is providing them
trauma counselling at his Institute. During these
sessions, he is offering them the chance to mix with
people of similar age who were not directly affected by
the incident, organizing outdoor lunches and games to
enable them to develop special relationships with each
other.

49. One Child Foundation 2019 | 49
You may not be
punished for your anger,
you will be punished by
your anger
Lord Buddha

50. 50 | One Child Foundation 2019
OCF has been shipping a few crates once every
4 months or so of Clothing and Stationery to children
in Sri Lanka. These items are always donated by
well-wishers and the shipment are always paid for
by the Trustees themselves.
In December 2018, the children at St Roberts Southwell
Primary School, Kingsbury, London, donated huge bags
of stationery, which we shipped to Sri Lanka. In January
2019, we cleared them from the harbour and took them
direct to various schools. We distributed them to every
one of the 17 schools and orphanages. The children
were absolutely thrilled.
Shipments of Stationery & Clothes

51. One Child Foundation 2019 | 51
Dear OCF Supporters,
We have agreed to sponsor all 50 children in a school
hostel in Puthukkudiyiruppu, one of the most deprived
places in Northern Sri Lanka. We have already accepted
27 of the children as day-scholars and are ready to help
them. With the support of our corporate funders, we
are confident we could accept the balance 23 children
as well when the construction of the hostel is complete
and the children have moved in. We would then pay for
all their food, lodging, clothing and some tuition fees as
well.
In addition to looking after the children, we would like
to offer some help to their respective parents and
guardians as well, by offering them a OCF Chicken
Coop and 10 chicks to each of them. Once we know
that the funding for this additional help is committed,
we would contact the priest who manages the school
and the hostel and request him to arrange a carpenter
to start making the chicken coops. These families are
some of the poorest families in the country and most of
them have no employment at all. We must help them.
If you would like to support this project, please fill the
form enclosed with this report and hand it over to one
of the Trustees or post it to OCF address on this Report,
with your cheque for £60.
We will supply each family one OCF Chicken coop with
10 chicks on your behalf and keep you informed of our
progress.
Please provide us your email address so we could
report back to you. We promise your data will never be
shared with anyone.
Sincerely,
J Mano Manuelpillai
President
A Special Appeal
You have not lived today until
you have done something for
someone who can never repay
you.
John Bunyan
We, the People, recognize that
we have responsibilities as well
as rights; that our destinies are
bound together; that a freedom
which only asks what’s in it
for me, a freedom without
a commitment to others, a
freedom without love or charity
or duty towards one another,
is unworthy of our founding
ideals, and those who died in
their defence.
Barack Obama

52. 52 | One Child Foundation 2019
• Mr Rohit Khagram, International Businessman, London
• RDK International LLC, Dubai
• Victoria Care Centre, Nursing Home, London
• DSI Foods Ltd, Specialist Airline Caterer, London
• Sri Lankan Airlines, Colombo, Sri Lanka
• Euclid Lighting Ltd, LED Lighting Supplier, London
• Canapeum, Corporate Party Caterers, London
• DataForce UK Ltd, IT Consultants, London
• Jaylux Digital, Specialist Photographer, London
• Individual Sponsors of the children
• Trustees of One Child Foundation
• Staffing Match, SM Global Consultancy Limited, United Kingdom
• Ingram Winter Green LLP, City of London Solicitors, London
• Michael Brady Ltd, Property Development Contractors, London
• JMP Business Associates Ltd, Business Consultants, London
• Anonymous Donors to OCF
• Attendees and Supporters of our events
• Rev Fr Hrudayaraju, Coordinator, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka
• Rev Fr Anandakumar, Coordinator, Kayts, Sri Lanka
• Mr Yudhish Omprasadham, Coordinator, Colombo, Sri Lanka
• Mr Prasanna, Identity Designer, Chennai, India
• Mr Anton Saverimuthu, Annual Progress Report Designer, UK
• Mr Vishaal Mistry, Annual Progress Report, Designer, UK
• Mrs Sital Mistry, Annual Progress Report, Designer, UK
• Mr Aman Khanal, OCF Video 2019 Designer, UK
• Mr Denver Dias, Auditor, Williams Chartered Accountants, UK
Our Gratitude To:
Feeling gratitude and
not expressing it is
like wrapping a present
and not giving it.
William Arthur Ward

53. One Child Foundation 2019 | 53
Contact us to discuss what you can do to help, sponsor a child or make a donation:
One Child Foundation
“Shanthy”
13 Galley Lane, Arkley, Herts EN5 4AR, UK.
Josephmanuelpillai@yahoo.co.uk
Web: www.onechildfoundation.co.uk
Contact Us
Do the Right Thing
Overcoming poverty is not a task
of charity, it is an act of justice.
Like Slavery and Apartheid, poverty
is not natural. It is man-made and
it can be eradicated by the actions
of human beings. Sometimes, it falls
on a generation to do the right thing.
YOU can be that generation.
Nelson Mandela
It’s the action, not the fruit of the
action, that’s important. You have
to do the right thing. It may not be
in your power, may not be in your
time, that there’ll be any fruit. But
that doesn’t mean you stop doing
the right thing. You may never know
what results will come from your
action. But if you do nothing, there
will be no result.
Mahatma Gandhi
Joseph Mano Manuelpillai, President............................................07871 452 720
Ivor Emmanuel Shanthakumar, Secretary....................................07940 708 226
Lidia Subo Timothy, Treasurer........................................................07956 953 540
Newton Gerrard Timothy, Trustee..................................................07956 953 540
Cyril Francis, Trustee ........................................................................07787 127140
Saku Manuelpillai, Trustee...............................................................07763 000 651
Manjula Shanthakumar, Trustee....................................................07940 708 226
Uma Francis, Trustee.........................................................................07787 127140
Mala Aloysius, Trustee......................................................................07984 459 864

54. 36

56. Proud to Support
One Child Foundation
Under its
Corporate Social
Responsibility Programme
of
MATCHED FUND RAISING
Encouraging its staff to
participate in charitable activities
The emphasis placed by more and more
companies on corporate social responsibility,
symbolises the recognition that prosperity is best
achieved in an inclusive society.

57. 43

58. Proud to support
One Child Foundation
Unitech Engineering Ltd are leading suppliers of
high quality stainless steel and aluminium
equipment to the food, beverage, pharmaceutical
and hygiene conscious industries.
Contact us below to find out more about us
Unitech Engineering Ltd, Prospect Road, Burntwood, Staffordshire, WS7 0AL
 www.unitech.uk.com  +44 (0) 1543 675800  info@unitech.uk.com