Emergency Coronavirus Response

Dear All,

We hope that you are all safe and well and managing to adapt and thrive in these challenging times. We want to start by recognising the challenges that are facing us all and send our love to you, your families and your communities.

Thank you so much for donating to this appeal - this brief report is to update you about what we have done in terms of emergency response for those within the poorest tea estate communities within Sri Lanka.

Despite distributing the emergency support was challenging due to strict lockdown allowing on 6 hours every few days for any movement outside of the home - our staff and volunteers did a wonderful job getting supplies to those who needed them most. One lady we helped told us of a hidden community a further 30 minutes walk up the mountain - when our staff got there, they found real poverty and people who had only eaten a couple of biscuits in the last few days... these are the communities we are able to reach through our networks that government and less community-based NGOs miss.

During the last few months, since our appeal began across our various networks and channels, we have managed to raise Rs 4.7 million - about £20k. We are so grateful to everyone who helped us raise this sum and proud that around half of this money came from within our networks in Sri Lanka. From individuals, to current funders, to Rotary clubs to new organisations partnering with us, together we were able to respond quickly and in an informed manner to get the support to those who needed it most.

We have supported 2,247 families since to 26th March when our campaign began. That is over 11,000 people who received emergency food and soap as well as many receiving desperately needed medicine.

Thank you all so much, and again, wishing you good health and happiness, wherever you are.

With love from the Tea Leaf Trust Team

Links:

• http://www.tealeaftrust.com