Well Covid has wrecked the trek – for this November as planned. Whilst Sri Lanka is in a national lockdown, Covid cases and hospitalisations there deeply concerning, it makes no sense for me to attempt to trek across the country until at least the worst has passed and some kind of normalcy resumes. I’ve therefore postponed it until next November 2022. On the positive side, this will allow the world to come out of the pandemic, tourism to come alive again, hotels to re-open and people to feel confident to move around freely – hopefully! It’s still massively disappointing not to be going just yet though.
Ebay sales accumulating
As real life fundraising events have been difficult lately, I’ve instead been selling clothes on Ebay. Thank you to all who’ve donated their good quality but no longer wanted clothes for me to sell – nearly £2000 now raised in the past 6 months from the proceeds – I’m amazed! And that’s on top of the two real life events we did get in between lockdowns which raised £1500. Whilst I’ve recorded these amounts against my £10k trek target, these funds have already been sent to support girls in two refuges in Sri Lanka. It’s also been used to buy food parcels for struggling families during their Covid crisis. I’m so grateful to everyone who’s donated – too many people to mention here but you know who you are! Please keep sorting and emptying out your cupboards of unwanted clothes! If you have any left that is! Scan the QR code below for the current position against my target, how it’s accumulating and other relevant info.
More Zooming for the girls
Whilst there’s been no opportunities to get out to Sri Lanka during the past 18 -20 Covid months, some Zoom calls have still been happening with teacher friends who’ve been running weekly classes for the girls living in refuges. They’ve been making a meaningful contribution to the lives of these young girls, supporting them to develop skills and confidence for their future.
Girls in the refuge learning to weave via a Zoom session
Next Steps
Whilst Covid is still raging through Sri Lanka, communities continue to need support via food parcels and educational interventions. This will be the ongoing focus of attention as more funds are raised. If you’d like to help, or continue to support, please do so in any of these ways:
- Donate any of your good quality clothes that you no longer wear, ideally seasonal ones with a recognisable brand, for me to sell on Ebay – all proceeds go directly to Sri Lanka.
- Browse my Ebay page and buy something you like summ0112 on eBay
- If you have a skill you can share or can teach English to the girls in the refuge via Zoom then please get in touch.
- Donate via my just giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/marcia-summerstrekssrilanka All will go against meeting my £10,000 target and will be automatically received by TFT to support girls living in refuges and for the Covid relief effort for deserving families.
Further links
WDC www.womendev.org
My trek challenge site www.marciatrekssrilanka.com
My Ebay page – summ0112 on eBay
My fundraising page – https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/marcia-summerstrekssrilanka
What a wonderful achievement to have raised so much money! And at least you will have another year of joyful anticipation.