About the volunteers who have spent time at Peraliya. They aren't all still here but their help has been invaluable

Volunteers... old and new



Aiyypyge Darmadasa - Village chief



Oscar Gubernati, Italy - Director of Finance

A 35-year-old film producer from Palermo, Italy. He moved to the United States in 1989 and has worked on a number of independent films. He is the former executive director of the Humanitarian Artists Foundation and currently teaches at NYU. His lives in New York City.


Alison Thompson, Australian New Yorker - Hospital Director.

A humanitarian and volunteer who has lived in New York for 20 years. She has worked in a number of careers including time as a medic, cricket player, Math teacher, Investment banker and Film Director. Ms Thompson was nursing people under the Twin Towers after the first Tower had collapsed and fled from the 2nd collapse. She volunteered at Ground Zero for 9 months and was joined by two Sri Lankan nurses who inspired her to return to Sri Lanka. She was born in Sydney, Australia and lives in New York City which she considers home.


Bruce French, USA - Head of logistics

A 45-year-old private chef from Telluride, Colorado and lives at 3,000m above sea level. He has worked as a tour chef for bands including Def Leppard, Pearl Jam and Red Hot Chilli Peppers among others. Mr French first visited Sri Lanka ten years ago on a round-the-world sailing trip and spent a month riding a motorcycle around the island. He knew he would return some day but did not dream it would be as a volunteer. He felt he could not wait for someone else to do something.


Don Paterson, Australia - Head of Operations

A 38-year-old retired Australian army engineer from Newcastle, New South Wales Australia. Mr Paterson’s army training brings a range of skills including medical, operational organisation, deployment of plant vehicles and resources and man management.


Chamila Pryanthi, Sri Lanka - Hospital co-ordinator/Translator



Stefan Birckmann, Germany - Arts programme



James Ellis, UK - Admin//Webmaster



Dr Sebastian Pleuse:) Germany



Rheinhold Kostermann. Germany - Head of German Paramedics



Dr Alain Farah, Our first Surgeon:) France



Detlev A. Tute. Hamlyn Germany, Paramedic



Juliet Coombe, UK - Volunteer



Fabio Sciarrini, Italy - Logistics



Paola Sciarrini, Italy - Logistics



Dr Henning Danmeier:) Germany



Marjolein Brazs, Holland - Volunteer



Kris Reed:) Australia - Nurse



Jo Radcliffe:) UK - Volunteer



Rob Nossiter:) UK - Volunteer



Peter Nossiter, UK - Volunteer



Esther Williamson, UK - Volunteer



Rev Thich Phap Chon:) Vietnam - Volunteer



Silver Virage, Hamlyn Germany, Translator



Mahinda, Hamlyn Germany, Great electrician!



Susan Taft, UK - Volunteer



Jens Kladen, Germany - Paramedic



Monica Glanert, Germany - Nurse



Matthias Thomas, Hamlyn Germany - Paramedic



Marc, Hamlyn Germany-Paramedic



Michael Gottwald:) Austria - Doctor



Gesche Cook, Germany - Nurse



Ginnie Mehar, Sri Lanka - translator



Dr Franz Schools:) Holland



Josca Verbouen, Holland - Nurse



Reinder Pas, Holland - TCNN Nurse



Dominique Le Mener, France - Nurse



Valerie Verse, France - Nurse



Bettium Blohm, Germany - Nurse



Dietmar Rabe, Germany - Paramedic



Wal, New Zealand - Volunteer



Hans Kimmering, Germany - Electrician



Tom Brand, Germany - Electrician



Raj Chohan, UK - Volunteer



Umur Chohan, UK - Volunteer



Vijay Chohan, UK - Volunteer



Andy Blackmore, UK - Photographer



Adam Phillips, Australia - Volunteer



Saskia Ketel, Holland - Childrens' programme



Sonja Vlug, Holland - Childrens' programme



Captain Barry:) USA - Plumber



Christian Berghold, Austria - Water support



Emily Green, USA - Volunteer



Helen Nossiter, UK - Volunteer



Martina Pfister:) Austria - Volunteer



Morelli Umbertino, Italy - Volunteer



Tamara Heusler:) Austria - Volunteer



Hamlyn Germany.