Gordon Rockett gives a presentation about HOMSA and the Tsunami

Gordon Rockett thought he would be able to retire gracefully and enjoy his role running the MK Dons football supporters' club. All changed as a result of the event on Boxing Day, 2005 when the Tsunami struck. The Milton Keynes based charity HOMSA (Hope Outreach Ministries South Asia) had been operating an orphanage in Navalddy on the East coast of Sri Lanka when the devastating Tsunami arrived. HOMSA as a registered charity was founded by Milton Keynes GP Dr Sam Muthuveloe and had been operating in that part of the world for about 20 years. A 12ft fibreglass boat had been purchased for the charity to be used as a ferry across a lagoon and for fishing trips to supplement the food needs. The boat's engine had been started to ferry worshippers when the thunder and sight of the 30ft wave approached. All 29 children and staff got into the boat which was at the mercy of the waves and was swept inland before coming to rest some 40 miles from the coast. Miraculously nobody was injured and the boat had clearly saved all of their lives. Unfortunately their orphanage was completely lost.      Speaker Gordon Rockett with map of Sri lanka

On December 30th 2004, just three days after the Tsunami, a group of Milton Keynes Dons supporters launched a project with the hope of raising £50,000 from the Milton Keynes community to re-build the orphanage. Gordon became the co-ordinator between the supporters and HOMSA and the appeal touched the hearts and minds of the local people and the sum of £150,000 was eventually raised.

In addition, four container loads of essentials were shipped out including beds, clothing, medical equipment and items needed to equip schools obtained from the closed local Japanese school. The funds raised are being used by volunteers from the UK and local people to build two orphanages and re-furbish a third together with a thousand new pre-fabricated, family homes.

The Tsunami affected over a quarter of a million people in Sri Lanka and over 50% of these were children. Such was the devastation that the map of Sri Lanka will have to be redrawn. Volunteers from the building trade and medical teams will still be needed for some time to come and more fund raising activities will be necessary to continue to support the essential activities in that country.

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