Generous Milton Keynes people help bring peace and healing to deprived Sri Lanka community

A look at the new church and community centre

Through the Hope Outreach UK charity, they have raised thousands to build St Luke’s Church and Community Centre in Tharmapuram.

The building, which will open on October 18, will serve people of all faiths and bring hope, healing and reconciliation to the community, said the charity’s head, Pennyland GP and local Reverend Sam Mutheveloe.

It will be used on Sundays for Church services and through the week for the community as drop in centre of peace and health. There will be a antenatal classes, children’s Immunisation sessions, counselling, a reading club for the elderly, and an after school club for maths, English, IT and Good Citizenship classes.

Looking at the new build - courtesy of Milton Keynes residents

Dr Sam said: Five of our Children from the Killinochi Orphanage were killed in 2009. This building is very near the place they lost their lives and to bring peace & hope for the people lost so much, a building for peace and restoration and healing."

The charity put out an appeal in MK earlier this year for £20,000 to complete St Luke's. It raised all but £1000 of the total.

Hope Outreach UK will soon be winding down its commitments in Sri Lanka and Southern India soon. But, said Dr Sam, they but are in need of a further £3,000 to ensure its children’s homes, feeding centre, and training centres can continue long after the charity closes.

If you would like to donate please visit: www.hopeoutreach.org.uk/donateAlternatively, you can donate by cheque, made payable to “Hope Outreach UK”, and post to Hope Outreach UK, 21 Lower Stonehayes, Great Linford, Milton Keynes MK14 5ES.