Whilst it was disappointing I couldn’t go to Sri Lanka last November as planned, I’ve decided to go this Easter 2022 and begin my charity trek across the island. Instead of trekking across Sri Lanka in one go over a period of 8-10 weeks, instead I’ll travel from Galle in the south to Kandy in less than 3 weeks. My main purpose will be to raise funds to support vulnerable women and children in Sri Lanka.

Weaving project is having an impact

Last year and in previous blogs I’ve talked about a weaving project that we helped get off the ground. My friend Krys, taught the girls over Zoom how to use heddle looms that we had raised funds to buy and got sent out to Kandy. Since then Krys has been making handwoven cushions and scarves with hand dyed silk and wool and she’s been selling them on Etsy. 100% of all sales have been going to the Women’s Development Centre in Kandy. If you’d like to view these pieces and possibly buy one to help keep this project going please go to https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/HaveAHeartStudio

What have the girls been making?

Since the weaving project got off the ground in late 2020 the girls have learnt to make scarves and tableware which has helped them develop their skills with using the looms. It is hoped some girls may be able to use these skills for future entrepreneurial activity if they wish, however, what is equally important is that they use the weaving as a form of therapy to help provide relief from their trauma from gender-based violence.

Building resilience via Zoom!

Another Zoom project is being delivered by a volunteer teacher, Julie. Last year she offered to help the girls, who are living in a refuge for their own protection, to build their confidence, resilience and self-care. In doing so the girls are now developing their problem solving skills and learning to set small goals for their future – these include their academic studies and economic independence. Julie, who has extensive experience as an ESOL teacher in further education colleges in the UK, encourages the girls to speak in English as this is what they want to do and she’s witnessed their fluency and confidence improving in just 10 weeks. If you, or anyone you know, may be interested in teaching the girls online please get in touch. There is a huge need for this support as the girls have missed out on education due to several full lockdowns.

Contact Lynn Stanier at ‘Their Future Today’ at Lynn@theirfuturetoday.com/07960752289 or me at marciasummers@hotmail.com/07818086067 for more information on the volunteering opportunities.

Ebay donations and selling – how well have we done?

Pre-loved clothes sales are doing very well with now over £3,000 raised. These funds have been spent on computers for Zoom learning in the refuges in Kandy and Galle as well as wifi installation to support online learning at the Heartbeat Centre in Colombo. The funds raised have also helped pay for emergency nourishing food parcels to support with Covid lockdown crises as well as supporting materials for the girls’ vocational training and therapeutic activities in the refuge in Kandy. If you’d like to support these activities please use the link below. Every penny will go directly to these projects very soon after it is received.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/marcia-summerstrekssrilanka

Next Steps

With current food and fuel shortages in Sri Lanka, exacerbated by Covid lockdowns, prices have risen significantly which makes it a huge challenge to buy nourishing food supplies for the girls and families who need it in Sri Lanka. Funding is also urgently needed to pay for travel to get the girls safely to school and to attend essential hospital appointments. Therefore my top 3 key areas of focus for now will be on:

• Promoting my trek challenge via social media thereby raising as much as I can over the next 3 months and aiming to reach my target of £10,000
• Continuing to request and receive donations of pre-loved or unwanted good quality clothes for me to sell on Ebay
• Continuing to send all proceeds received ASAP to support targeted and agreed projects in Sri Lanka

If you’re interested in learning more please click on the links below, and if inspired to get involved in any way please get in touch – I would love to hear from you.

• www.marciatrekssrilanka.com
• https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/marcia-summerstrekssrilanka
• www.womendev.org email: wdc@slt.lk
• www.theirfuturetoday.org email: info@theirfuturetoday.com