ESAF Global Canada

06/09/2026

Keeping Our Coastal Spaces Clean, Beautiful, and Welcoming!

On 30th May 2026, ESAF Global Canada and HealthBridge Foundation of Canada, in partnership with Ideal Space Academy, successfully organized a Community Clean-Up Drive along the Pannai coastal side and park area as part of the World Environment Day Week Programs, promoting environmental stewardship and community responsibility.

With the dedicated participation of 7 enthusiastic volunteers, the clean-up commenced on time in the evening and focused on several important public spaces, including:

Mahasen Monument Area
Solar Board Road Area
Ellalan Tourism Area

Together, the volunteers collected waste, improved the appearance of these public spaces, and contributed to creating a cleaner and healthier environment for residents and visitors alike.

This initiative supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being
SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 13 – Climate Action
SDG 14 – Life Below Water
SDG 15 – Life on Land
SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals

Every piece of litter removed is a step toward protecting our environment and inspiring greater community responsibility. Clean public spaces encourage recreation, tourism, community pride, and healthier lifestyles for everyone.
A heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers who generously dedicated their time and energy to this effort. Your commitment demonstrates how small actions, when done together, can create a meaningful and lasting impact.

We also extend our sincere appreciation to IdealSpace , and all partners who continuously support initiatives that help keep our public spaces clean, attractive, and accessible to all.

ESAF Global Canada initiated public space clean-up drives and community engagement programs with the vision of reactivating public spaces and encouraging communities to reclaim, utilize, and care for these shared environments. Through these collective efforts and strong partnerships, many public spaces have experienced positive transformations, contributing to their present development, increased community use, and improved condition.

A special note of appreciation and best wishes to Ideal Space Academy IdealSpace for its continuous commitment to organizing and supporting community clean-up initiatives, whether large or small. Their consistent efforts demonstrate the importance of community responsibility and environmental stewardship in creating healthier and more vibrant neighbourhoods.

A cleaner environment begins with collective action. When communities come together to care for shared spaces, they create places where people, nature, and future generations can thrive.

06/03/2026

Plantation Drive for a Greener & Healthier Jaffna

On 28.05.2026, ESAF Global Canada and HealthBridge Foundation of Canada, in collaboration with the Jaffna Municipal Council and the Ponnalai Community Center, successfully carried out a meaningful plantation drive along the coastal areas of Ponnalai and Pannai.

As part of this environmental initiative, we planted:

10 long-term fruit-bearing plants near the coastal belt
15 shade-giving trees along the public walking pathway where shade was greatly needed
We are grateful to Mr. Jegatheepan, Work Supervisor of the Jaffna Municipal Council, for his valuable support and coordination. Special appreciation goes to him for arranging protective fencing for the newly planted trees to safeguard them from animals and harsh weather conditions.

Community volunteers from the Ponnalai Community Center also joined hands enthusiastically, proving once again that collective community action can create lasting environmental change.

This initiative is not just about planting trees — it is about planting hope, resilience, cleaner air, biodiversity, healthier public spaces, and a greener future for the next generation.

Through these efforts, we continue to contribute towards several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being
SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 13 – Climate Action
SDG 14 – Life Below Water
SDG 15 – Life on Land
SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals

Every tree planted today is a promise for tomorrow. Let us continue working together to protect nature, strengthen communities, and create sustainable public spaces for all

04/30/2026

Urban Agriculture Workshop & Plantation Drive 2026 – A Step Towards a Greener Future!

On 29.04.2026, a successful Urban Agriculture Workshop & Plantation Drive was conducted at Jaffna Central College, organized by ESAF Global Canada in and HealthBridge Foundation of Canada, in collaboration with Jaffna Municipal Council and Agro Plus Pvt Ltd.

We gathered 65 enthusiastic students and 5 Teacher incharges who actively participated in this initiative, where they were equipped with both theoretical and practical knowledge on Urban Agriculture. The session introduced key fundamentals such as efficient space utilization, container gardening, sustainable soil management, composting, and water conservation techniques—empowering students to grow food even in limited urban spaces.

This initiative goes beyond a one-day workshop. Students will now actively practice urban agriculture within their school, with plans to gradually extend these practices into their homes and neighbourhoods, creating a ripple effect of sustainability within the community.

Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
This program contributes towards:

SDG 2 – Zero Hunger
SDG 3 – Good Health & Well-being
SDG 4 – Quality Education
SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities & Communities
SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption & Production
SDG 13 – Climate Action
SDG 15 – Life on Land
This marks the beginning of a sustainable and continuous program, which we aim to expand to more schools and community centers in the future—building greener, healthier, and more self-sufficient communities.

Our sincere gratitude to the management of Jaffna Central College for warmly accepting and providing the space for this initiative.
A special appreciation to the dedicated teachers-in-charge for taking responsibility in guiding and following up with the students.
Heartfelt thanks to Agro Plus Pvt Ltd for their generous support in supplying plant seedlings and compost, making this initiative truly impactful.

Together, we grow more than plants—we grow responsibility, sustainability, and hope for a better tomorrow.

04/26/2026

Play Time & Physical Wellness Session – Old Park, Jaffna

On the 25th of April 2026, Old Park Jaffna came alive with laughter, energy, and togetherness as we successfully conducted our latest Play Time & Physical Wellness Session! Organized by ESAF Global Canada and Health bridge Foundation of Canada in collaboration with the Jaffna Municipal Council

With the joyful participation of 25 enthusiastic children and their parents, the park transformed into a vibrant space of movement, connection, and happiness. Families didn’t just visit the park — they truly experienced it.

The session was filled with engaging and fun games designed to encourage children to stay active, build confidence, and enjoy the spirit of play. Alongside the activities, a meaningful wellness sharing was conducted to guide both children and parents on leading healthier, more active lifestyles while nurturing positive personality development.

What made the day even more special was the presence of special children, whose participation beautifully strengthened the spirit of inclusivity, reminding us that public spaces are for everyone.

These small yet impactful initiatives are steadily contributing to a bigger vision — transforming Jaffna’s parks into lively, inclusive, and accessible community spaces where people feel encouraged to gather, engage, and thrive.

Aligned Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
SDG 3 – Good Health & Well-being
SDG 4 – Quality Education
SDG 5 – Gender Equality
SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities
SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities & Communities
SDG 16 – Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions
SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals

Together, we are not just organizing events — we are creating change, one park at a time.

04/05/2026

02/10/2026

Physical Wellness Event of 2026 | Healing Park

We were delighted to begin 2026 with our first Physical Wellness Event at Subramaniyam Park, the proposed and actively running Healing Park, held on 07th February 2026

This impactful session was organized jointly by ESAF Global Canada & HealthBridge Foundation of Canada, bringing together 25 young children, including children with special needs, accompanied by their parents, for a joyful, energetic, and meaningful wellness experience.

What made the event truly special was its organic reach — many families had simply come to visit the park and luckily became part of the session. Through engaging physical activities, movement-based play, and interaction, the children actively participated while parents warmly encouraged and appreciated the initiative. The participation of children with special needs added deep meaning to the session and reminded us of the importance of creating inclusive, welcoming public spaces for all.

We were honored to have Dr. Sharmila, an Ayurvedic Specialist and former Lecturer at the Lanka Siddha Ayurvedic Medical College, who provided valuable guidance to the children on physical wellness, active living, and healthy nutrition intake. Through fun games and interactive activities, she helped children understand their physical potential while making learning enjoyable and confidence-building.

The session created smiles, energy, awareness, and connection — once again highlighting how healing parks and public spaces can transform everyday visits into life-impacting experiences.
The encouragement from parents and the enthusiasm of the children made this initiative even more rewarding for all of us.

Our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Sharmila, the Subramaniyam Park staff, and all the dedicated volunteers who supported us and made this event a success.

This initiative contributes directly to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
SDG 3 – Good Health & Well-being
SDG 4 – Quality Education
SDG 5 – Gender Equality
SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities
SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities & Communities
SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals

We look forward to continuing this journey of healing, health, inclusion, and happiness through public spaces throughout 2026 and beyond

01/14/2026

Grateful to share this Wonderful Life story !!

Our Little Story is a heartfelt documentary that traces the life journey of K Paul Thomas and Mereena, the founders of ESAF, and the simple yet powerful begi...

09/02/2025

Farmers Market Update – Jaffna Town Market August 23rd 2025

ESAF Global Canada and HealthBridge Foundation of Canada, in collaboration with the Jaffna Municipal Council, successfully organized our latest Farmers Market initiative!

This time, we reached out to farmers living far from Jaffna town and women headed families who usually struggle to access the market. Through this initiative, we provided transportation for their fresh produce, handcrafts, packed foods, and snacks, and arranged new slots within the Jaffna Town Market with the support of the Municipal Council.

The result?

A marketplace filled with a greater variety of products – from organic vegetables and home-garden harvests , to unique snacks and beautifully handcrafted kitchen items.
Tourists and locals were delighted with more choices, while farmers enjoyed better sales opportunities.
New farmers connected with existing market vendors, building partnerships for a sustainable and continuous market future.
A new highlight of this market was our Counselling Stall at the entrance, where the public received free personal guidance for a healthy and happy lifestyle, offered by a professional counsellor from the Jaffna General Hospital.

*With the weekend crowd and peak tourism season, sales were strong, and the spirit of community was vibrant!

Special thanks to all supporters, the community, and especially the Jaffna University Commerce Union for strengthening connections for upcoming farmers market activities.

This initiative supports multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

SDG 3: Good Health & Well-being

SDG 8: Decent Work & Economic Growth

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption & Production

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Together, we are building healthier communities, supporting local farmers, and promoting sustainable futures. Thank you again to everyone who made this event possible