St. Mary’s Education Centre, Kaddaikadhu

 Opening Ceremony on 13th of July 2017

The Bishop of Jaffna Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin B. Gnanapragasam ceremonially opened St.Mary’s Education Centre on 13th of July 2017 at around 5.30 p.m. at Kaddaikadhu, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.

The Parish Council Members, children, parents and Staff HUDEC-Caritas Jaffna welcomed the Chief Guest Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin B. Gnanapragasam, Bishop of Jaffna, HUDEC-Caritas Director Rev. Fr. S. Eugene Francis, Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Mac Donald, GS (Grama Sevakar) T. Kantharuban and the School Principal Mr. G.Yogalingam with garlanding and Ararthi (Tamil Tradition of welcoming guests).  Preschool children welcomed the Guests with the band from the entrance to the building.  The Sign board was unveiled by the Bishop of Jaffna and then the building was blessed and opened by His Lordship.

Welcome speech was delivered by the School Teacher Mrs. Jenifred Selvaratnam.  Rev.Fr. S. Eugene Francis, Director of HUDEC-Caritas Jaffna in his President Speech stated that “ the construction of St.Mary’s Education Centre was started in the year 2005 with the funding of AATM Italy and later was abandoned due to war and displacement of people of Kaddaikadhu. After the resettlement, with the request of former Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Jesuratnam; HUDEC-Caritas approached Mr. Gererd Brendsen of ACNS Projecthulp in Netherlands for financial support to complete the building in the year 2014.  With the financial support of ACNS Projecthulp and Wilde Ganzen we were able to start the work in 2016 and completed it.  We thank Mr.Gerard Berendsen and his organisation to secure funds for the completion of this building for the education of the children of Kaddaikadhu”.

More than 300 children, their parents and Parish Council Members and HUDEC-Caritas Staff participated in this ceremony.

The Bishop of Jaffna stated in his speech said “I have appointed a new parish priest and separated Kaddaikadu as a new parish.  He has identified that more children are unable to read or write and as slow-learners.  This education centre is a blessing for them.  I can see lot of children here, the parents have to take keen interest to send the children to study here in the evenings.  You have to use this facility and encourage your children to improve in education.” He also thanked the donors ACNS Projecthulp and Wilde Ganzen.

Vote of thanks was delivered by the Secretary of the Parish Council Mr. A.Moses Tharsius and the event was concluded with the short-eats and drinks to all participants.

The Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Mac Donald and the Parish Council will be in charge for St. Mary’s Education Centre and they will make arrangements for the evening classes for the children.