Accompanying young people through formation, empowerment, leadership, faith and life challenges.
- 1
- Youth centre, Ariyalai
- 5
- Key youth issues addressed
- 2024
- College chaplaincy began
From the Province history
History & details
Gnanatheepam: Youth Empowerment Centre, Ariyalai
HAVONOS - OMI, supported by HAVONOS–Netherlands, is an Oblate social-development initiative serving vulnerable communities in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka. Currently coordinated by Fr. S. R. Satheeskumar, OMI, it responds to the needs of war-affected families, women, children, youth, and marginalized communities.
Through Gnanatheepam, Youth Empowerment Centre in Ariyalai, HAVONOS provides young people with awareness and leadership programmes addressing mental health, suicide prevention, substance abuse, life skills, and educational motivation. Vocational training, youth clubs, and leadership programmes help young people become responsible and confident members of society.
Chaplaincy at the College of Education, Vavuniya
Started in October 2024, this ministry provides spiritual accompaniment and formation to student-teachers preparing for their future educational mission. The chaplain also supports their personal, spiritual, and pastoral development.
Source: Pathinathan Sathiyaseelan, OMI, “Present Ministries of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Jaffna Province”
What we do
- Awareness programmes on mental health and suicide prevention
- Prevention of substance abuse among young people
- Life-skills, leadership and educational motivation
- Vocational training and youth clubs
- Spiritual accompaniment of student-teachers in Vavuniya
“Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for believers.”