Current Projects and Funding Needs
Please see below further details of the current projects we are working on, and a few examples of Sri Lanka’s wide and varied funding needs.
If you are able, please consider donating or joining our support programme.
Widows’ Outing
In June 2023, a two-day outing was planned for Sri Lankan widows. A bus picked up 52 women who have never been outside their tea estates, and had never seen the ocean. The bus took all to the coast, to see the sea and other beautiful landscapes. One of the women wished to express her thanks, and said:
"I live alone. I do cleaning and manage to get food to eat and lead my life with tears and agony... I was delighted to see the unimaginable Trincomalee, Kandy, and Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens. After two days, I felt like the burden of my mind was reduced.”
Severe Weather and the Climate
Sri Lanka is facing irregular seasonal changes, including heavy downpours, increasing the danger of landslides. These landslides can destroy homes and livelihoods, block traffic and prevent children from attending school. Those who live and work in the mountainous regions of Sri Lanka, are the most affected, especially those who rely on employment through tea plantations.
Cyclones and heavy rainfall are most frequent during the months of November and December. These can create heavy storms which prevent Sri Lankans from fishing, reduce the output of solar panels, and prevent food supplies from being obtained and distributed around the country.
Flooding has serious consequences for Sri Lankan people, including business and houses being flooded and families being displaced. Roads are also flooded, reducing the ability for workers to commute, creating financial hardship.
Contaminated water supplies also contribute to the spreading of diseases, such as dengue fever. In addition, strong and cold winds in the mountains have led to an increase in respiratory illnesses among the elderly, children, and pregnant women. The regions of Polannaruwa, Anurathapura and Kanthalai have been especially affected by this. There is also a lack of regular transport to hospitals.
Sewing Centre
In October 2023, we set up a Sewing Centre near Trincomalee, in the North West region of Sri Lanka. This Sewing Centre has been a valuable resource in training and educating those in need.
Students are taught to sew, make and tailor clothing, mend, embroider, and even maintain sewing machines. Elders from the nearby Six Mile Post church visit on a weekly basis to monitor the students’ progress and send regular reports. The training is provided at no cost to the students, where normally they would have to arrange travel to a larger city, pay for any courses and materials, and organise access to a sewing machine.
During their training, those who attend the Sewing Centre are also able to earn a wage by charging for their mending services and selling the clothing they make. Students will also provide these services for free, for those who cannot afford to pay.
When training is complete, those who have completed the sewing course are free to go and set up their own businesses.
Children’s Event
In June 2023, a one-day event was planned for Sri Lankan children. Buses picked up 120 children and their Sunday school teachers from 9 regions and distributed breakfast. The children came together to sing songs, then were split into 4 groups to enjoy lessons, games, quizzes, and competitions.
The children were also provided with nutritious food, some clothing and stationery items. They also enjoyed snacks, cold drinks, lunch, ice cream and fruits.
In the afternoon, the groups were taken to visit Kanniya hot springs and to the Trincomalee Navy Fort, two famous historical places which appear in school textbooks. These visits would normally be unaffordable for parents, so provided a great educational opportunity.
The children were also taught about child protection, and taken back to their homes after a wonderful day out.