We remained busy during the first quarter of 2006, consolidating the work we have done and shifting slowly away from a tsunami-centric approach. This is characterized by:
a. Moving away from projects that are focused exclusively on tsunami-affected people, and
b. a desire on behalf of our Board of directors to move back towards the way we originally decided to operate, namely by helping finance small local initiatives and charitable bodies and financing projects that benefit larger groups and communities rather than individuals.
This gradual shift will continue through the year. We will of course continue to help individuals or families where the case is compelling, particularly within our Livelihood Programme, which will be ongoing indefinitely. It should be noted that there is still a lot of money in the hands of large aid bodies that is earmarked for tsunami assistance.
A brief update on our main projects
Livelihood, helping boost small business and employment, is arguably the best way for us to achieve our mission statement of ‘helping the lives of the people of south Sri Lanka '. The levels of funding we approve have naturally fallen significantly from immediate post-tsunami levels, but we still receive many requests and after careful selection and verification fund a variety of them. The most recent include: helping to reestablish a destroyed dive centre in Hikkaduwa (Splash Dive) through donating a diveboat; buying a small plot of land in Matara for a large family of three tailors, a prerequisite for three new houses promised them by an INGO; starting a new micro-credit scheme with Senasa Bank in Galle Fort, initially to fund a new three-wheeler taxi, that will subsequently fund a variety of other cases.
Fishermen's Friends, our project to help the local fishing community, has wound down, though we will remain open to help in future where there is clear need. We are currently financing training for motor engineers at the Galle (Petigallewatte) workshop.
Swim Lanka where we are the Galle district partners to the nationwide local charity Swim Lanka, continues forward strongly in its mission to teach children how to swim and help them overcome fear and trauma associated with water. At end March, 1466 children have graduated from the course in our area, and there are further graduations occurring almost weekly. All five of our pools are operational at the following locations: Pitiwella, Dodanduwa, Kumbalgama, Kapparatota, Ahangama.
Sponsor-a-Child, our (initially) three year scholarship programme run set-up and managed by local charity the Southern Tsunami Trust, has just taken on a further 25 children, taking the total to 225. In addition a new, larger day-care centre has been opened in Katugoda from which the project is run and where the children and members of the local community can come to learn english, computing, read papers, socialize and play.
Other current projects include assisting the Van Reef Memorial Home for the Elders with urgent repair and rebuilding works. This home essentially relies on donations to sustain its 75 residents (full capacity) that belong to all religious communities. Works include reconstruction of lavatory pits, toilet room, gullies, rebuilding a structurally-unsound kitchen, and needed improvements to medicine room, office, store room and corridor. Total contribution by FoS is about US$16,500.00
We are also expanding the computer centre at the Unawatuna Cultural and Environment Conservation Society centre, which offers computer assistance principally to micro-businesses and children, with five more computers.
We continually sponsor a variety of new or ad hoc projects, such as helping a limited amount of families or businesses with home reconstruction or improvements. Other recently supported projects include: Mango Friends Puppet Society, a classical Sri Lankan puppet performance show that will tour dozens of camps and centres for the displaced; contributing to a fundraising performance at the Sacred Heart Convent which aims to arise US$25,000 for new instruments; assisting several artist school girls who have been providing art therapy to children in camps for the displaced to take up a unique offer to study art for a fortnight in France, a potentially life-changing opportunity for children who may well never get the chance to travel; in rare instances, we have also helped individuals in chronic medical condition, whether paying for injections for a girl with cancer or a hip replacement for a retired school head with insufficient means.
Finances and funding
We will soon surpass US$300,000 in funds spent since our incorporation in June 2004. We have about US$120,000 in remaining funding, although US$60,000 of this has been donated specifically to our Sponsor a Child scheme. Considering funding requirements for current and new projects for the next quarter we may come close to exhausting our funds. We are therefore planning a general fundraising appeal internationally, targeted fundraising efforts in Sri Lanka and also project-specific fundraising. Please therefore bear us in mind if you or people and companies you know are looking for a good cause to which to donate. Please remember that with the exception of our one Sri Lankan field officer's salary and costs, all our work is done voluntarily.
Thanks in advance for your continued support.
With best wishes,
The Board of Friends of the South
Bindu Wickramesekara, Jack Eden, Nasser Hussein, Olivia Richli (Secretary), Para Dias Jayasundera, Rob Drummond (Chairman), Ulla Maschberger.
