Fundraising

After being back for a month from our epic trek from central to north east Sri Lanka, this is an update on some of the outcomes:

• I’ve now achieved my fundraising target of £20,000 which has been allocated to help keep open a shelter for 50 girls affected by gender-based violence. It’s being used to provide skills training, education and health care for the girls as well as much needed counselling and other support.
• I’ve now updated my target to £30,000 so on my fundraising ‘dial’ it will look like I’ve only reached 66% of my target!

Impact

• Subsequent to visiting in March and following a request I posted on LinkedIn last month asking for volunteers to teach English over Zoom, six teachers have come forward and offered their support. Two have now started delivering online lessons and this is making a real difference to young people in rural villages who have limited access to practise their English. Some are using the sessions to prepare for their exams.
• Exercise books and stationery I bought from a local shop in Sri Lanka were distributed to children at a rural tea plantation school in Kirimetiya last week.
• Two refurbished computers are being purchased in Sri Lanka with the funds raised and will be used to support the delivery of online lessons.
• The two huge boxes containing hundreds of pairs of prescription glasses, donated by so many people before I set off, were shipped out last month and should arrive in Sri Lanka within the next couple of weeks. The prescriptions will be assessed by a local optician and distributed free of charge to local people who need them.
• Several hundred more pairs of glasses were donated this week by a work colleague, who has a connection with a Specsavers branch, and these will be flown out with a friend visiting Sri Lanka next month and she’ll distribute them to communities in Galle.

Suba, teacher in Kirimetiya, distributing the books and stationery to some of the children there

My next Steps

• Fully plan Stage 3 (final stage) of my trek from the south to the northern tip of Sri Lanka which I’ve scheduled for March/April 2024.
• Investigate the newly completed, fully immersive and sustainable Pekoe Trail, a 22 stage 300km long-distance walk through Sri Lanka’s tea growing highlands. This is with a view to walk part of it next year and promote it as a mega hike.
• Promote upcoming fundraising events – see below.

Forthcoming fundraising events

• Summer Open Gardens – 1-5pm Sunday 4th June 2023 – Entry FOC – request programme if interested
• Pre-loved clothes sale – early summer – Friday 23rd June 2023
• Houses of Parliament event 30th June 2023 6.30pm -10pm – if interested see attached Foster the Future In Sri Lanka – Home (emma-live.com)
• Paddleboarding and Sri Lankan supper – Date TBC
• Pre-loved clothes sale- early Autumn – Date TBC

Current situation in Sri Lanka

A record number of Sri Lankans are leaving their home country for employment abroad. The political and economic crisis that hit the country last year is having long lasting ramifications. The cost of living for many Sri Lankans has increased to the point that they’re struggling to maintain a basic standard of living. However, as a tourist in Sri Lanka it’s unlikely you’d even be aware of it and everything feels as safe and welcoming as normal. As a tourist from the West, our money goes a long way as the pound and US dollar are strong currencies against the Sri Lankan rupee. If interested in hearing more about what is happening there then head over to BBC Sounds for the podcast Crossing Continents: Leaving Sr Lanka.

Next Blog

I’ll aim to write a blog every 4-6 weeks between now and the start of Stage 3 of my fundraising and awareness raising trek to provide a record of events and updates. If you missed my final blog which was set in Kurunegala (Blog 15) then scroll below.

Further sponsorship – if you’d like to help me to help those in need in Sri Lanka at this difficult time, whilst being assured every penny will go to those who need it, then please donate by clicking on this link. Don’t forget that if you’re a tax payer to declare gift aid when doing so which will increase your donation by 25% at no cost to you. Alternatively, if you know of anyone or any organisation who may have an interest in this cause please share this blog link with them