Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India
Global Ministries' partner, the Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India (JDCSI), was established in 1974. During the twenty years of war in Sri Lanka the JDCSI served in the war torn areas and helped sustain communities affected by the terrible violence. The Church has undertaken programs to uplift communities in many areas, providing relief materials, establishing day care centers, nutritional feeding centers, and vocational training centers for the poor and the needy.
The JDCSI runs residential homes for children badly affected by the 20-year war. Some of these children have one or two parents who cannot afford to care for them, and some are orphans. All need an education that will make it possible for them to live fulfilled lives and serve the community, which has nurtured them.
Sri Lanka has only one national university, which is free to students who are admitted. To be admitted to the university, a student must pass the advanced level national examination with set scores in various subject areas. Unfortunately, less than one-percent of the student population will be accepted to the university because the number of students passing the exam and applying for university is higher than the number of spaces available at the university for new students.
The JDCSI has begun a new program out of need to educate students who pass the exam and desire to attain undergraduate or master's degrees. More scholarships are needed to help fund students willing to attend universities in countries near Sri Lanka. Children of the House of Hope of the JDCSI have been recipients of these scholarships and have returned to Sri Lanka working as pastors, teachers, and resident managers at the JDCSI homes.
