A group of locals from the Wirksworth and Middleton by Wirksworth area of Derbyshire are trying to raise money for an area of Sri Lanka still suffering from the affects of the Boxing Day 2004 Tsunami.
http://www.wirksworth.net/local_groups/sri_lanka_aid.html
In 2005 following the Tsunami disaster, Ian Bowyer and his friends and family raised money locally and at their own expense took it out to south western Sri Lanka.
The money was used to locally source, all materials for the repair of the hospital at Bentota.
The hospital had suffered as it was the local refugee centre for some of the thousands of injured and displaced persons in the area.
The Wirksworth Hannage Brook Medical Centre donated a large amount of small essential medical supplies which were taken out as luggage.
The hospital was completely redecorated and all new bedding with protective coverings supplied. Ventilation was installed.
In gratitude of this, the hospital wards were named after local Derbyshire Dales Villages.
No donated money was used for travelling or administration
Following work at the hospital the small amount of money remaining from the donations was given to the local School. This was the start of a lasting relationship between the people of the Derbyshire Dales and the Dharga Town / Meegama area.
Between 2005 – 2008 several visits have helped the school at Bondupitiya K. Viclyalaya
Some of the open classrooms have been enclosed, a stage built and computer equipment supplied. All the work and materials are sourced locally so the money is spread throughout the community. |
Some of the open classrooms have been enclosed, a stage built and computer equipment supplied. All the work and materials are sourced locally so the money is spread throughout the community.
On a self financed visit in early 2008, Paul Bowyer relayed the story of the school to a couple of holidaymakers. The couple were moved enough to purchase and donate a computer during their holiday.
The next visit to the school is planned for the end of November 2008.
The fundraisers aim to provide, each of the 300 children with a pair of shoes and a school bag containing basic equipment and books.
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