9th Annual Tamil Canadian Walk raises $85,000 for Village Resettlement project in Sri Lanka

On September 10th, 2017, the Canadian Tamil Congress organized the 9th annual walk-a-thon from Thomson Memorial Park in Scarborough. This year’s Tamil Canadian Walk raised funds to help resettle a village abandoned due to the war in Sri Lanka.

The ancient Tamil village Thennamarawady was destroyed in 1984, as a result of the war in Sri Lanka, causing the total displacement of the local population, who fled to other parts of the country for their safety. After decades of displacement, these villagers were allowed to return to their ancestral lands in 2010.

Many families who were displaced from Thennamarawady, still continue to live in other parts of the Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka. The few families who were able to return to Thennamarawady, have faced tremendous hardship in resettling and rebuilding their village due to decades of neglect. The challenges they face include living in temporary shelters, unemployment, an aging population and a lack of medical, educational and other basic services.

 Proceeds from the 9th annual Tamil Canadian Walk will support the development of a 10 acre self-sustaining farm, including crops and livestock that will be managed by Thennamarawady Rural Development Society. The establishment of the farm will create income opportunities for families and profits will be reinvested into this village.

The project will be monitored by local authorities and independently audited by North East Economic Development Centre. The project is estimated to be fully implemented by May 2018.

 With the support of walkers and other well wishers, 9th Annual Tamil Canadian Walk was able to raise more than $85,000 up to now and hopes to reach the target of $100,000 before the end of this year. The Annual Tamil Canadian Walk has collected over half a million dollars in the last eight years.

In attendance at the walk-a-thon were elected officials from Canada and Sri Lanka, community organizations, volunteers, community leaders, business associates and supporters. Toronto Mayor John Tory,  Ontario Minister for Education Hon. Mitzie Hunter, Canadian Members of Parliament Gary Anandasagaree, Salma Zahid, Garnett Genius, City of Toronto Councillors Neethan Shan, Michael Thompson, Toronto District School Board Trustee Parthi Kandavel and York Region School Board Trustee Juanita Nathan spoke at the event.

Mr. Mavai Senathirajah Member of Sri Lankan Parliament. Eastern Province Agricultural Minister Thurairajasingham and Northern Provincial Councillor Emmanuel Arnold participated and spoke in this year’s walk-a-thon.

Tamil National Alliance Canada and Trincomalee Welfare Association Canada made significant contributions towards the success of this year’s walk-a-thon.