CMAT volunteer Tara Newell stands beside a truck delivering relief supplies to an orphanage in Tamil Nadu, India.

February 17, 2005: Two Canadian CMAT volunteers, James Caddell and Tara Newell, have completed a needs assessment in the Tsunami devastated Kanniyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.

As a result, CMAT will be supporting the emergency needs of 1,210 orphans and Tsunami affected children living in nine non-government funded orphanages in this district. These orphanages are accepting children from all castes, religions and cultures, without discrimination.

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Children at Sirumalar Home for Children in Tamil Nadu, India sleep on new mats purchased by CMAT

February 3, 2005: Richmond Hill, Ontario restaurant, Punzo’s, raised over $4,000 USD at a fundraising dinner and silent auction this evening. 100% of the funds will go towards capital projects at nine Tsunami affected orphanages in Tamil Nadu, India. CMAT is grateful for their support.

Children at Sirumalar Home for Children in Tamil Nadu, India hold up thank you signs for Punzo’s restaurant.

CMAT second team worked with its partner, Mercy Malaysia in the field to build this water cistern which will provide safe water to hundreds of families in Aceh province. (January 2005)

January 23, 2005: CMAT’s second team was taken to Banda Aceh, Indonesia today courtesy of Malaysian Military air transport. In Banda Aceh, CMAT’s team will liaise with U.N. staff and other NGOs to coordinate reconstruction and rehabilitation projects.Meanwhile, CMAT’s first team sent to Indonesia on January 5, 2005 has returned to Canada and has filed a situation report for Meuloboh with Canadian High Commission authorities in Indonesia and Malaysia, and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).The following is their report (a more detailed one will be published later).

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CMAT Volunteers at press conference in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada giving details of their mission to Indonesia. (Photo from The StarPhoenix, Saskatchewan, Canada, January 14, 2005).

January 18, 2005: CMAT’s second team of volunteers were deployed to Indonesia today where they will conduct reconstruction projects in Meuloboh, and possibly Banda Aceh. The team of 5 are professional paramedics from Saskatchewan, and one is a licensed heavy equipment operator.  Canadian Medical Assistance Team’s first team, led by Mr. Bill Coltart, who left for Indonesia on January 5, will be returning to Canada by the end of this week.

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January 10, 2005:

• I.L. Thomas Odadrihony Anita Elementary school – $1301 CAD,
• Oliver M. Smith Kawenni $2030,
• Six Nations Council $1000 from Six Nations Reserve, Oshweken, Ontario, Canada.
• 24 York region schools in Toronto raise $61,000 USD for CMAT Tsunami relief efforts

CMAT is grateful for their support.