A brief history From the dozens of countries struck by the force of the tsunami, Sandy and Ruth (AKIN team members) found themselves in the southern province of Sri Lanka. They saw disaster-relief tents go up and shortly after, the volunteers packing up and leaving. Sandy and Ruth realized that in order to really help this community recover, they needed to stay for much longer and literally rebuild the village -- brick by brick.
In the Telwatta and Hikkaduwa areas, Sandy and Ruth began their work by assisting the entire community sort through the wrecks that once were bustling village communities. At this point, their main focus was to ensure that families received enough food and water, and worked together with other disaster relief organisations to build toilet facilities.
Another key project that helped support the communities of Sri Lanka was setting up a temporary community/education centre for the children. Operating out of an old, abandoned temple, refurbished and funded by a Danish Charity, AKIN worked together with a local educator to counsel the children, allowing them to express their loss and feelings through a series of drama and art workshops. Many of the children had lost one or two family members (of which majority were parents). Sandy and Ruth spent the rest of their time, connecting orphaned children with their extended families. A key to ensure that these children would not be a financial burden on their new guardians, they established secure trust funds for these orphan children, which pay for their school fees, textbooks, and uniforms. AKIN began by offering sponsorships for 17 children. Today 23 children have secured sponsorships and are happily settled in their new families.
AKIN's contribution A key to ensure that these children would not be a financial burden on their new guardians, AKIN has established secure trust funds for these orphan children, which pay for their school fees, textbooks, and uniforms. AKIN began by offering sponsorships for 17 children. In 2007, 23 children have secured sponsorships and are happily settled in their new families.
The Danish Charity decided to stop funding and the community centre was pulled down. The local educator approached AKIN with setting up an English language school. AKIN provided the funding to rent a house for a year, and the school is currently thriving. There are a total of 58 students divided into five classes. At the recent parent-teachers meeting, the current focus is to help the children improve their standard of English. Most of them have an average-grade command of English, but the parents and teacher are also working to motivate them to study hard.
How you can help We have a number of children who still need sponsors for their education. At present, AKIN has sponsored 23 children and has committed to find funding for them to complete their education. To receive a complete list of which children need funding, please contact us directly and we will be happy to send you the information.
The AKIN School of English needs further support to keep running. The lease on the house will expire in October 2009. Total needed for the annual rent is: GBP 350.00 for the year (58,000.00 Sri Lankan Rupees). An additional GBP 140.00 (25,000.00 Sri Lankan Rupees) are needed to cover the teacher's salary and text books and supplies each month.
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