Feed families & rebuild 3000 futures in Sri Lanka

Dear friends and supporters,

As part of a health data investigation programme, assessments were carried out at our rural preschool by community health doctors, who identified nutritional deficiencies in all 54 children. 10% were suffering from malnutrition.

The doctors gave practical advice to the parents about good nutrition and what should be done to maintain the proper weight for the children's age.

The United Nations food agency, World Food Programme (WFP) says one in five children in Sri Lanka is now acutely malnourished.

In response, and thanks to you, another 100 emergency food parcels containing 5kg rice, 2 kg dhal, 1 kg onion, 10 eggs and hand sanitisers have been distributed to low-income families including lactating and expectant mothers, who simply cannot afford the 400% price rises on many essential items.

Commercial sewing machines have also been provided to mothers Priyanka, 43, and Kalyani 41 years old to help rebuild their lives.

Their income from sewing and selling clothes and carpets, can now successfully keep their children in school and put food on the table, which is a great achievement in these challenging times. We are grateful to our fantastic team on the ground who are working hard for the people they serve, despite the personal challenges they are also facing.

Helping to strengthen and make families sustainable to prevent family breakdown has never been more vital or needed to keep children out of orphanages. These institutions known to be harmful to a child's mental and physical well-being are now as helpless as the children inside, as they are also without sufficient income to give even the most basic care.

Thank you for your continued support in helping to change childhoods, and change lives for the better.

Kind regards,

Joel

Dear friends and supporters,

Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since independence with a currency devaluation following a 70% drop in foreign exchange reserves resulting in a heavy shortage of fuel, essential items, medicine and soaring inflation. Sri Lanka’s rupee plunged into the world’s worst-performing currency during April 2022.

Many Tuk Tuk drivers who support multigenerational families are just some of those in utter despair as they are unable to provide sustenance for their children without fuel or tourism.

There are reports of increased numbers of children being sent to orphanages around the country, at a time when orphanages are also struggling to provide food and medication through lack of funding, and are now as helpless as the children inside.

As in any crisis, children are the most vulnerable victims of this crisis too. Already their food security is unsettled, their schooling is disrupted and their mental wellbeing is affected. Already a basic meal has become out of reach for many families who are struggling economically. The National Nutrition Programme for school children has already been suspended in more than 50% of the schools. There are children who no longer go to school either because no transport is available due to the fuel crisis or they no longer can afford schooling. I am afraid that the current situation might also increase children's experience in neglect, abuse and domestic violence.

In the last few weeks we have been in contact with the British High Commission, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, FCDO, the World Food Programme, UNICEF, International Health Partners, and BBC South East Asia to raise awareness and discuss what help is needed for the poorest and most vulnerable families and children who seem to be forgotten in this crisis.

TFT will work in coordination with Southern province authorites prioritising food security, addressing child malnutrition, and at the same time help to rebuild communities through sustainable agriculture and income generation training to create successful livelihood businesses. 

With your support, our team have delivered 300 essential emergency food parcels over the past two weeks which will provide 37,800 nutritious meals.

We see you not as donors but as important investors into the future to help and uplift those in such urgent need, and we thank you on their behalf for your continued support

Yours sincerely,

Joel