The Dandelion Trust

DANDELION TRUST SRI LANKA APPEAL

We are seeking immediate donations to help victims of the Tsunami in Southern Sri Lanka. Appeal supporters have already generously donated over £23,000. Our target is £50,000.

Initially the Dandelion Trust Sri Lanka Appeal, led by Sri Lankan born Francis Perera aimed to deliver aid, help rebuild houses and buy fishing boats for devastated fishing communities in Sri Lanka’s Western Province.

In the 6 months following the disaster it has become clear that rebuilding houses in these areas is not an option in the foreseeable future. This is largely due to a government decision to impose 'buffer zones' along the coast stretching between 100 and 200 metres inland, where new construction is forbidden to guard against the risk of a future Tsunami. The result for the communities displaced by the Tsunami is that vast numbers are still trapped in transitional accommodation, far from the sea, unable to work and dependent on handouts.

Mr Perera’s has now modified his original plan in order to ensure that funds raised will benefit people currently most in need. Following an exploratory trip to Sri Lanka in May, Mr. Perera has initiated a 5 year project comprising two independent components. Each component will receive 50% of the funds raised.

Project 1: Fishing Boats for the People of Paliyawatta North (Hendala)
Aim: To establish a micro-credit scheme enabling fishermen, in the village of Paliyawatta North, Hendala, who have lost their livelihood to buy replacement boats.

· Propeller driven fishing boats big enough for 3 or 4 people will be bought by the Community Bank in Hendala, in liaison with The Dandelion Trust.
· Each boat will be registered in the name of The Dandelion Trust.
· Each fisherman will repay this interest free loan at an agreed monthly rate.
· The fishing party will own the boat on completion of repayments.
· The project will enable the fishermen to resume fishing and earn a living.
· Repayments will be set at a realistic level, easily achievable by the fishermen.
· The fishermen will generate income, enabling them to rebuild their homes and lives.
· The system will not allow the option to sell the donated boat.

Mr. Perera will work with established NGO NEST and the local fishing community, 5 Grama Raja (meaning "5 village committee"), to identify the first beneficiaries of the scheme. The committee members of NEST ensure the impartiality of the assessment process, whilst 5 Grama Raja represent the fishing community and assess need. The project will commence in August 2005 and will be carefully monitored. If successful more boats will be bought on a rolling programme.

Project 2: Improving School Facilities Between Beruwala and Galle.
Aim: To improve facilities in schools on the South West coast, where there are 180 schools requiring rebuilding.
Mr. Perera has linked with the Rector of St. Joseph’s College in Colombo, who will co-ordinate the project on the ground. This project will invest in the youth of Sri Lanka, who are the future of the island.

The first school assessed is Diyalagoda Maha Vidyalaya (meaning “Diyalagoda Secondary School”) near Maggona which needs a toilet block and computer room. There is currently only one lavatory and no computers whatsoever for 275 children (11-17 year olds). Mr Perera plans to build new toilets and handwashing facilities using local contractors, and 10 networked computers have been purchased and installed. Other schools will be assessed once this work is completed.

It is intended that assisted schools will be twinned with UK schools, in order to enable ongoing support and educational bonds between the children. Your money will give people in this area the spark needed to begin rebuilding their lives.

We need this money now, please act as soon as you can. Please click here to make an online donation. Please make cheques payable to "Dandelion Trust - Appeals" and send donations to the address below.

Please include your address or email so that we can send you a VOLUNTARY GIFT AID FORM. Completing this form will add 28% to the value of your donation if you are a UK taxpayer.

Do you feel your child’s school would like to sponsor a school in Sri Lanka?
And/Or would your company have the resources to sponsor a boat?

For more information please ring us on 020 7538 5633.

Thank you for your generosity at this time of crisis.

SRI LANKA NEWS LINKS

Tsunami victims still wait for aid to arrive
The Daily Telegraph, Peter Foster (28/05/2005)
Click here »

Sri Lanks Slow Tsunami Response
BBC News Online, Dumeetha Luthra (25/06/05)
Click here »

Sri Lanka's tsunami vivtims left to suffer in a swamp of inefficiency
The Daily Telegraph, Peter Foster (28/05/2005)
Click here »

Tsunami: 500,000 still homeless
The Observer, Peter Beaumont (19/05/2005)
Click here »