Dear friends of Sri Lankan,
This year I like to tell you something about our sponsors and what we have done with their Money. Last April 2007 I went back to Sri Lanka for the ninth time. This time with money but no boxes. The first sponsor is www.lcpackaging.com They paid the container and taxes in the years before and gave us this year the money instead. This was a lump sum of 1500 euro. And made us very happy. We used it to help a secondary school (Dharsama) in Kandy. We started to help them last year and continued this year. After some consideration we decided to buy this year a monitor and a disc for the 2 not working computers (the only computers), 6 white boards, ink, markers etc. 25 children got a pair of new shoes. Those were chosen by the head teacher and had no shoes or big holes in their shoes. The above came to 300 euro.
Last year we decided – if we had enough money – to build a new teachers toilet. The toilet which is used now, is so filthy and foul. So teachers are not using it. It is estimated to cost around 1000 euro and we have given 700 euro. Hopefully they will find funds for the other 300 euro. The last 500 euro we used for smaller projects such as ; · 10 big balls for the boys of Providence home · Transport · 300 bars of chocolate for the nursery schools · 20 rug sacks · Soap, shampoo · Toys such as construction, dolls, games · 4 tricycles
Our other main sponsor is www.appoint.nl After the Tsunami they decided they wanted to help for years to come. The first year all the money went to Jayasekera home in Colombo. The second year (this year 2007) we decided to help more than 1 home.
So how does the money comes to the right place? Well, I will tell you. Gamini and me will visit the place, check, ask, and feel the atmosphere. We take photos and talk to the board members, teachers, matrons, whoever is there. Afterwards we decide together if this would be a suitable project. We have 1 important rule and that is that we never give the money upfront and leave the project. Why? In poor countries it can happen that the money will disappear. If it is a big project we need to see the estimations, check everything, check what is done and than we give the money. Of course I can’t do that from Holland so Gamini takes this part of the project on him. This works also for the food. 2 homes rely on extra food from us. They need to contact Gamini and tell what is needed that week or 2 weeks. Gamini will buy this and will give it. If people don’t agree the ‘deal’ is off.
So…. What have we done with their money this year? We continue to help the children from Jayasekera home.with food and we took them on a trip to a kind of Mc. Donald and gave a computer table (they asked for this). We bought sets of cards of Sri Lankan artists. We help a boys home with extra food and Dettol. We help a deaf and blind school re-decorating and painting their hall – this hall wasn’t used for more than 11 years. They wanted to use it for prize giving, inviting parents, meetings etc. This project is done and finished by the time of writing. Photos will follow.
Why does this school and many other school have no money to maintain their schools? Teachers are paid by the government. Food is paid by social services (not a lot). Kitchen staff and matrons are paid by the board members. Board members work and help voluntary. From donations they have to pay the rest of the food, electricity, water etc. So there is no money left to do anything else. And then there are individuals who are giving me sometimes money..
This year I want to say a special thank you to the fam. Markovits in Heemstede. They had a big party and chose 2 charities and one was kandyschools. Thank you. I had a 1000 euro on me which I had saved over the last 2 years. From this money we have done ( or doing now) the following: Paying rent for a school for mentally disabled children. Teachers from another school decided they wanted to help more children which is a good idea. Disabled children in those countries are still a shame on the families and are often left at home. Unfortunately the parents couldn’t pay the school fees of 5 euro each month. So the teacher works without receiving any salary, and they were evicted from the building as they couldn’t pay the rent We will pay the rent this year, and hopefully they will have time to find a solution. Further more we gave them some educational materials. Another home for disabled boys needed an iron and emergency light. Food for Succes. An orphanage for 30 girls. Plus shampoo and soap. A seesaw or swing for a nursery.
We divided the last 10 boxes of toys between 7 nurseries. We have some money left for next year. So all together we found a way to continue the project and we will continue the project as long as we have or find enough money.