1. Matara Buddhist Girls’ Orphanage – Sri Lanka Presentation to New Day Members October 2009

2. und Background Privately run orphanage founded in 1961 Capacity for 50 girls Girls are referred through government welfare agencies Three matrons and a volunteer committee run the home Funded entirely by private donations Girls attend local neighbourhood school

3. The girls In most cases girls have been left at the orphanage by a family member or abandoned In most cases girls have been left at the orphanage by a family member or abandoned Poverty and the breakdown of the family unit are the main causes Poverty and the breakdown of the family unit are the main causes The girls have little hope of marrying in the future as they have no dowry The girls have little hope of marrying in the future as they have no dowry Education is the key to their future once they leave the home. Education is the key to their future once they leave the home.

4. Educational Program The committee is seeking funding for the following classes for all the girls at Matara: maths, art, computer, music, sewing and dancing. For those girls sitting for scholarships and O Levels they would also like to employ a designated tutor to help them achieve better results. The cost of a teachers’ salary for each class is USD450-500 per year. New Day would like to donate USD5,000 to this program.

5. We look forward to working with Matara in the coming months… Matara committee volunteer - Mily