Fundraising Update

On 4th June our road’s open-garden fundraiser raised almost £1300! This was a super amazing achievement and almost twice as much as last year with generous donations from those who visited the 5 participating gardens. We agreed to split the donations between Their Future Today and Princess Alice Hospice. Hope you like some of the photos taken during the day – Sheila’s, Jane’s, Sophie’s, Patrick’s and mine. I think the chickens at Sophie’s were the highlight!

Current situation in Sri Lanka

The economic crisis in Sri Lanka, which although improved since last year, is still very much in force. The value of the Sri Lankan Rupee is gradually increasing against the US Dollar but this is with the support of IMF money. This is helping to bring down the cost of some imported goods, however, it feels like a sticking plaster solution and unfortunately not a long term one, but at least it’s something. The macro statistics show an improved picture but the situation at grass roots level is apparently quite different. The brain-drain factor is significant with many thousands of professionals migrating in search of a better standard of living. Whilst fuel and gas is available, charges are high, as they are for water, electricity and telecommunications, and nearly 5 times more expensive than a year ago. Food prices have not reduced and school supplies, transportation costs and medicine prices remain high. Sri Lanka is continuing to face a very difficult period and support from those more well off remains vital for their future. This is why I’ll be continuing to do what I can to raise much needed funds and awareness.

Zoom Teaching

You may recall when I returned from Sri Lanka a couple of months ago that I put a call out for volunteer teachers to teach English over Zoom to small groups of village children? 6 people came forward and some are now teaching. This is really valued as it’s helping children improve their confidence with using the English medium and especially with speaking and listening skills. Schools were shut for 2 years during the pandemic and as a result children of all ages missed so much vital education.

Upcoming fundraising events

On Friday 23rd June 5pm-9pm there will be a pre-loved clothes sale in my garden. There will be lots of fabulous clothes at great prices – please come if you can and donate any of your pre-loved clothes if you have any with all proceeds going to TFT. Below is a photo from last year’s clothes sale.

And, on Friday 28th July 5pm-8pm at Hampton Court Paddle Sports, Molesey, you can come and practise paddleboarding, canoeing or kayaking followed by an authentic Sri Lanka supper by the river. Book early using this link https://tinyurl.com/PaddleCurry All funds go to Their Future Today and will specifically help girls living in a refuge in Sri Lanka continue with their education and learn important vocational skills to help them be resilient and self sufficient when they leave.

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