Cancer Prevention Stall 40th JMF Anniversary Medical Exhibition
Cancer Prevention Stall 40th JMF Aniversary Medical Exhibition- Supported by Dr Jaso Sanmugarajah and Dr Nalayini Sugirthan
Facilitated fundraising activities for doctors/doctors’ families in need in Sri Lanka and Australia.
Books and B Barcode Reader
We donated textbooks and a bar-code reader to the Jaffna Medical Faculty Library. Upon the librarian’s request, we donated textbooks frequently used by medical students. In addition, a bar-code reader was donated for easy book tracking. We spent more than $2000 on this project.
Global Diabetes Walk
World Diabetes Day ( WDD) is the world’s largest awareness campaign. It’s marked yearly on 14th November. Wearing blue and joining in the ‘ Global Diabetes Walk’ is one of the local events for the diabetes awareness campaign. The walk was memorable and meaningful and was held on 11th November 2023.
The Theme of the walk this year was;
“Know Your Risk ; Know Your Response.”
Drug and Alcohol Awareness
Project:
Creating awareness of drug and alcohol misuse among the community in Kilinochchi district.
Funding agency: JMFOA Australia. So far, JMFOA has provided Rs 2.5 million for this project.
Participating organizations:
- JMFOA Australia as funding agent
- Independent Theater activists
- Mental health unit Kilinochchi
- Kilinochchi Medical Association(KMA)
The project was also assisted by the District Secretariat of Kilinochchi.
Project summary:
A street drama called Kalumaram was produced by notable professionals in Drama and theatre. It has 30 performers, mainly Preschool teachers and members of “Arangalaya.” The street drama has been staged in 20 places, including schools and identified community hot spots.
JMFOA Australia has so far funded to cover the production cost and the cost of the 20 individual performances. The activists have a post-drama discussion with the viewers and assist those who need further help or assistance through the local mental health team.
The target group took up the program significantly, as shown in the short video clip below. The young, dedicated performers are keen to keep going as the need is felt. They believe the performance has created momentum among the public and schools in raising awareness against drug and alcohol misuse, and there are fresh requests to stage the program in various places.
There are plans to extend the performances to other districts, and other donor agencies are interested in supporting this performance in other districts.
They expect our ongoing support to keep this valuable awareness campaign going and achieve its target.
Mental Health Education
As part of our ongoing support for the fight against substance abuse, we collaborated with local authorities ( Mental health professionals, Government stakeholders ) to conduct a full-day training program for selected people who work with youth in Northern Sri Lanka. The project aims to empower these professionals to identify and prevent
- Substance abuse
- Suicidal behaviours
- Gang violence and traumatic deaths
- Injuries/ deaths due to RTA
- Genter related problems
About 600 participants benefited from the above training session. A number of selected candidates have the opportunity to participate in monthly online education sessions.
So far, JMFOA Australia has provided Rs 1 million for this project.
Autism Awareness-Theeraniyam
Theeraniyam is an Open School for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder located in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka. JMFOA Australia collaborated with Theeraniyam on various health promotion activities.
JMF sponsored an Organic Gardening stall at a Medical exhibition from April 4th to 7th, 2018, as part of its 40th Anniversary Celebration
Creating Awareness on Adolescent Mental health and Substance Abuse “Kalumaram” Street Drama
JMFOA Australia partnered with independent theatre activists, a local drama and theatre group. Kilinochchi Medical Association (KMA) and local mental health authorities created a street drama showcased at up to 35 places.
The project’s goal was to create awareness among the community in the Kilinochchi district regarding drug and alcohol misuse. JMFOA Australia funded Rs 2 818 450/—to cover the cost of production and expenses involved with running the drama at various places across the district.
The following organisations participated in carrying out the project:
- JMFOA Australia as funding agent
- Independent Theatre activists
- Mental health unit in Kilinochchi
- Kilinochchi Medical Association (KMA)
- The project was also assisted by the District secretariat of Kilinochchi
Mental Health Awareness and Training Skills in CBT
WeBe Centre Activities
Jaffna Medical Faculty Overseas Alumni (JMFOA) – Australia facilitated the establishment of the Well-Being Center, supported it financially and was involved in training and strengthening the activities of the Centre. The JMFOA – Australia supports this initiative and sponsors the initial capital expenditure (Rs. 1,481,000.00) and first two years’ salary of the Coordinator of Counselling Services of Well-Being Center (Rs.1,440,000.00).JMFOA Australia has already transferred Rs.2,201,000.00, and JMFOA will transfer the remaining funds to the University Account periodically.
JMFOA Australia will continue to support the counselling services of the well-being centres by providing training workshops and interactive sessions to the staff and students nominated by the centres.
Prof.Daya Somasundaram initiated this needy project to help the university’s students and teachers.
