Welfare Beneficiary Program
One Planet - Two Worlds
'The world of those not so fortunate, who, due to circumstances or the cruel hand of fate, is destined to a life of suffering and pain,
and in co-existence is
Another world, a world of human kindness that transcends borders, a world of caring, compassionate and generous people, who open their hearts to help and assist their fellow being.'
The Eighty Club Melbourne, Inc. Welfare Project was initiated in 1982 by a small group of the Sri Lankan Burgher community who had migrated to the greener pastures of Australia. Fond memories of their roots in the beautiful isle of Sri Lanka ( formerly Ceylon) heightened a deep sense of compassion and a desire to assist the poorer, unfortunate members of the same community who were still domiciled in Sri Lanka, eking out an existence and dependent on the generosity of their fellow man. From these humble beginnings was born the core function of the ECM, to care for and assist the poor or 'less fortunates' as they prefer to be called.
In Australia, all citizens are covered by various welfare benefits such as social security benefits, pensions, medical benefits, subsidized medication etc. Unfortunately in Sri Lanka, no such social security scheme covers all its citizens and for the elderly and retirees, who have not made provision for living expenses , because they did not have the means to do so, suddenly find themselves bereft of a regular income and at the mercy of their children and other relatives who may or may not have the ability to support them. Thus, there are many aged and infirm members of the community still in Sri Lanka who have insufficient sustenance and cannot even afford to buy medication for ailments that come with old age.
This is where the ECM decided to help. There are as many as 200 individuals and families to whom they pay a monthly welfare benefit of Rs.5000 plus an additional Rs.1000 if the beneficiary was married and lived with a spouse. If they supported school-going children or mentally challenged siblings a further Rs.1000 per month was paid in respect of each such individual.
The ECM works in close association with the Dutch Burgher Union of Ceylon, a one hundred year old organization that was formed when the Dutch ruled Sri Lanka, then known as Ceylon. Their welfare section receives applications for welfare benefits, interviews the applicants, checks the veracity of statements made by paying visits to the homes of the applicants and then forwards the applications to the ECM whose Management Committee then picks who they consider the most deserving of assistance. The number of beneficiaries and the quantum of payment depend on the finances of the Club, rates of exchange and other factors. The ECM gets their income solely from membership fees, gifts, donations and regular fund-raising events such as Lunches, Dances etc.
The ECM also maintains an Emergency imprest of Rs.15,000 with the Dutch Burgher Union to assist distressed persons who come in off the street seeking help to buy food, medications etc. This Fund is renewed as and when necessary.
The Club also facilitates cataract operations for the elderly who need it. In conjunction with the SightFirst hospital, run by the Lions Club in Sri Lanka. All costs ifor these operations including lenses, mnedication and even travel is paid for by the Club.
The ECM has grown steadily since it was formed in the 1980s and it is hoped that it will continue to grow so that more of the less fortunate members of the community in Sri Lanka can be helped with larger and more benefits.
Asst. Coordinator