My 10th year anniversary 🙂

Top left: the late Pearl Stephen (Founder & Director of Women’s Development Centre), and Chandrathilika Liyanaarachchi (WDC’s Deputy Coordinator) on a trip with us to Nuwara Eliya. Right: Pearl Stephen and me in the WDC office, Kandy, Bottom left: Joe aged 10 and me with village children in Pupuressa

It’s been 10 years this year since I first visited Sri Lanka. I volunteered at the Women’s Development Centre, met some incredible people and began my commitment to do what I could to help. This has mostly been through raising funds to support ground roots projects in rural communities and a refuge for girls affected by gender-based violence. I don’t know where that decade went but I’m now looking forward to the next one.

WDC staff promoting community group farming to support the current food scarcity in Sri Lanka

Fundraising update 88%

Since my update last month, I’m at 88% of my £20,000 target, up 4%. Funds are sent directly to Sri Lanka as they are raised so the process is very dynamic. Thank you to everyone who has attended any of the latest fundraising events, bought raffle tickets, just given and supported in so many ways. This achievement is a direct result of your contributions and it’s making a real difference to the lives of many who need our help in Sri Lanka.

Trek update

Our route is fully planned and now it’s just joining up a few dots, finalising some accommodation bookings, checking our vaccination status again with our GP, organising our visas, and perhaps most importantly getting in some physical training. Every penny of the funds we raise is spent on vital projects in Sri Lanka and all our expenses, eg; flights, accommodation, travel, food etc is funded personally by us. However, we are hoping to secure some sponsorship for a local guide whilst in Sri Lanka as we were able to last year. This ensured we were safe, and felt safe, whilst maximising the impact of our trek.

Upcoming fundraising events

Last year we hosted numerous events, most of which I’ve documented through my blogs. These included, open gardens, a jewellery sale, a paddle boarding/kayak/Sri Lankan supper event, clothes sales x 3 and embroidery sewing evenings. Upcoming events before we set off include:

• Embroidery sewing event 20th Jan 6-9pm at Sally’s, Hampton Court
• Embroidery sewing event 21st Jan 9.30-12.30 with Caroline at Marcia’s, Hampton Court
• Embroidery sewing event 24th Feb 6-9pm with Caroline at Sally’s, Hampton Court
• Embroidery sewing event 25th Feb 9.30-12.30 with Caroline at Marcia’s, Hampton Court
• Facial massage & self care workshop with Kate, at Kate’s, Thames Ditton – Sunday 12 Marcia 10am-1pm – contact Kate on 07970 200416 to book

Head over to Slowstitches.net for booking info on the embroidery sewing events listed above. And if you have any ideas for further fun, fundraising events please get in touch.

What we’re collecting to take with us

We can each take with us 30k of luggage. Last year our rucksack weighed 10k giving us 20k each for donations. This included heddle looms, medicines, baby clothes and some small electronic items. Our weight allowance is the same this year and we’ve been asked to take:

• Baby and infant clothes
• Paracetamol and other first aid paraphernalia
• Stationary eg; – pens, pencils, water colours, pencil cases, school bags
• Waterproof material for the girls/women in the refuge to make much needed diapers for their babies

If you have any of the above items you no longer need and would like to give to Gill and me to take please get in touch to arrange drop off or collection.

If you missed the last blog then here it is.

Further sponsorship – if you’d like to help those in need in Sri Lanka at this incredibly troubled 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 anyone or any organisation who may have an interest in this cause please share this blog link with them.