The IHH team was welcomed with flowers to the Zahira College located in Sri Lanka in Puttalam town were orphan children study. After the national anthem of both countries were recited, the team was shown around the school. They then went next to the children who were competing in a drawing competition and drew pictures with them. The team then went down to the conference hall of the college where the students had organized performances. They were first greeted in 5 different languages, then the program began with the recitation and translation of the holy Qur'an. They sang Turkish and English nasheeds. The orphan children also recited poetry in Turkish, English and Arabic. Theatrical performances and dances were displayed.
The team then went to the Thailai public school were other orphan children study. Here, they were greeted with a ceremony, where the children performed their traditional dances. IHH's partner foundation Serendip foundation located in the country provides support for the orphans. The female children recited prayers then the competitions began. They played towing rope, running, sack race and balloon blasting competitions. Winners were given prizes.
Refugee Rights Association President Ugur Yildirim, spoke at the ceremony after thanking the orphan children who greeted them and prepared the ceremony. Yildirim also thanked the managers of their partner association Serendip Association for supporting the orphans. He continued by saying: "When we look at everything we have been taught, all the limits shown in the geographical and political map is artificial. Although we are in different countries, there is no political and geographical boundaries for the ummah. We are all one. Our Prophet Muhammed (peace and blessings be upon him) says; " If a Muslim feels pain in their body, all Muslims feel the same pain." This is why distances are artificial for Muslims. A Muslim in Cuba is our brother and so is a Muslim in Sri Lanka. Muslims are just brothers" he said. Yildirim, stated that they have came here to fulfill their debt to their orphan brothers. "We have came here to bring the greetings of your brothers in Turkey." After the ceremony, Qurban meat was cut and distributed the less fortunate orphans and families.
Business and home aid to orphan families
Within the scope of the "Orphan Family Development Project," grocery stalls were distributed to 15 families, 5 families were given a passenger vehicle called 'tuk tuk', 15 families were given chicks and poultry and 10 families received a nut packaging shop. Furthermore, 5 orphan families who have nowhere to stay were given a home. A new school which carries the name Erdogan, was also opened in Sri Lanka.
On the last day of the program, IHH in collaboration with Bem-Bir-Sen opened an elementary school located in the Village of Trincomalee called Recep Tayyip Erdogan with a ceremony. After the speeches the IHH team and school officials cut the ribbon for the Recep Tayyip Erdogan Elementary school. After the opening, the IHH team visited classes and had conversations with the students. The school has a capacity of 100 students. The Recep Tayyip Erdogan Elementary school has four classes where Kindergarten students can also receive an education.
A mosque in Sri Lanka from a retired tailor
Later on they went to the opening ceremony of a mosque which was built on behalf of Muhsine Keskin. Keskin began working as a tailor at the military at a very young age and later had 5 children. A few days before her death she donated money to Sri Lanka which was then used to construct the Muhsine Keskin mosque in Sri Lanka's Batticaloa town. According to Sri Lanka's tradition, females are not allowed to go to the same mosque as men, so this mosque was built for females. It will be the first stop for females before they go to Hajj and Umrah in order to fulfill their final preparations. Approximately 100 women will be able to worship in the mosque at the same time. The mosque contains a lavatory, toilet and bathroom section. The IHH team commenced the opening by praying in the mosque and finalized the opening with their prayers.
Examination of the Faruk Aktas Medical Center
On the other hand, the IHH team examined the medical center located in Sri Lanka's Puttallam town, built on behalf of IHH's Asia Regional Coordinator Faruk Aktas, who became a martyr during an airplane accident in 2010 while in Afghanistan. After the team had various conversations with the women and children, they distributed presents. The medical center opened for service 4 years ago where they continue to examine patients and provide medication for free. If a patient is diagnosed with a sever condition, they are then referred to another hospital. On the other hand, patients' with an eye or dental problem receive free treatment in a hospital which is supported by Sri Lanka's Serendip foundation who is the partnering foundation of IHH. The center which doctors' work voluntarily three days a week is used as a classroom for women and children in the town. Women and children take Arabic and Qur'an classes over here.
