Current Needs:

Since the flooding in the north of Sri Lanka in January 2011, many people have had to be evacuated to schools and various community centres and the church have been heavily involved in bringing them immediate relief. Now the flood waters have subsided, there are the subsequent problems. Many poor people had their houses destroyed and consequently some had almost no home to return to. Over 400,000 acres of paddy (rice) lands have been destroyed. Many people take loans (from the bank, pawn their jewellery, borrow money from friends etc) and invest a lot of money in the cultivation hoping to pay them back when they collect the harvest. Now that the cultivation has been destroyed, many of them are in great difficultly.

The SFWIN team will be working to support the church in helping to relieve the plight of the people. If you would like to support this appeal, please contact us or join our sponsored walk on 16th April 2011.

Other projects:

Since the Boxing Day Tsunami in 2004, SFWIN has been supporting families in Sri Lanka. After the immediate needs were met, SFWIN refurbished an Orphanage in Alagolewa and sponsors children in Barawakubuka. SFWIN has set up self-help projects in China Bay, including two chicken farms, tricycles for transport and a string hopper machine (to sell street food).

SFWIN has been helping with health costs when approached for support.

"I had my by-pass operation three years ago and I have to continue taking treatments so every month I need money for my tests and medicine. As I don't do a job now it is with great difficulty I managed all this time. So with your support I need not be anxious or depend on my sons who are also struggling to earn their living." - P.N.A. Perera, Sri Lanka

In Matara, SFWIN raised money for a fishing boat to give two families the means to feed themselves for life. Another family was provided with a new engine for their boat, and another with fishing nets.

SFWIN is now arranging sponsors for a group of University students in Colombo who have appealed for support to complete their studies. If you are interested in sponsoring a student, please contact us.