The High Commission organized a different programme this year to commemorate Vesak by donating essential items to the Manoir Ronald McDonald Children’s House in Ottawa on Saturday, 12th May 2012.
The Manoir Ronald McDonald Children’s House is a ‘home away from home’ for families with children up to 18 years suffering from cancer or other serious illnesses being treated at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. As the treatment for some of the sick children may take a long period, the Ronald McDonald Children’s House is a place to call home while the child is receiving treatment. The Ronald McDonald Children’ House provides affordable comfortable accommodation where the parents and the child could be together.
The Sri Lankan expatriate community in Canada joined the High Commission staff in responding to a request made by the High Commission by donating books, toys, towels, detergentsserviettes, toothpaste, tooth brushes, soap, tea, coffee, sugar, stationery and toilet tissues. The Buddhist Congress of Canada (Hilda Jayewardenaramaya), Theravada Buddhist Centre, Ottawa Buddhist Vihara and St. Monica’s Church in Ottawa collaborated with the High Commission by collecting items from their devotees.
Members of the Sri Lankan expatriate community and the staff of the High Commission attended the event, which commenced with a speech by the High Commissioner ChitranganeeWagiswra. She stated that the donation which is a joint effort, demonstrated the goodwill and friendship of the Sri Lankan community and the High Commission towards Canada and its people. Following the speech the Buddhist monks chanted Seth Pirith to bless the sick children.
The donation was handed over by the High Commissioner to Ms. Lauren Levesque who was representing Ms. Carol Houston, Executive Director of the Children’s House. Ms. Levesque thanked the High Commission and the Sri Lankan Community for the generous gesture.
Sri Lanka High Commission
Ottawa, Canada
May 16, 2012
