In August 2006 Smile purchased a plot of land with buildings in Hambantota, not far from the building that we initially rented. As well as the main building, the Centre also has two shop fronts which open onto the street, which we have refurbished, and plan to use for the sale of craft items and an internet café and Christian bookshop. This will encourage self-sufficiency for both the Smile Centre and local needy families, as well as providing job skills training to give the children a brighter future. The Smile Centre has been up and running since September 2006 and is being used for:

SRI LANKAN CHRISTIAN CAMP 15-18 AUGUST

We have had a request from the Sri Lankan Baptist Union who are holding a Summer Christian Camp. They would like to take 250 children from rural churches on this special Holiday Bible Camp to enjoy a week away. To cover the cost of food, accommodation, travel, hire of hall, equipment etc, they urgently need approximately £10 per child, i.e. £2,500 – would you or your church like to sponsor a place for a child in order that they may enjoy this time away?

You can make your donations online at www.justgiving.com/smileint/donate marked "Sri Lankan Christian Camp 2008" or by post or phone as detailed on our Donations page. With only a short time to go before the Camp, your positive urgent response would be appreciated as soon as possible.

• HOMES Building new homes for the many homeless families

• BOATS Providing boats, nets, etc for fishermen. We will shortly be providing details of how your school/church or group can sponsor a boat and/or fishing equipment, in order to restore their livelihoods and rebuild local economies.

• ORPHANS We wish to buy a plot of land and build an orphanage to provide care and shelter for the children, medical care, counselling, education and job creation. We will also be starting a child sponsorship scheme for the orphans.

• TEAMS Sending out Smile ministry teams to work with children and families

• TWINNING Church and school twinning: Smile would like to set up twinning arrangements and if you are interested in this, please contact the Smile office.

   
Smile rucksacks full of school supplies – Anna, Clive and Richard with the Centre staff – New swings in the playground: the children like to arrive an hour early for school in order to play on all the equipment!

FINANCE

Ongoing financial donations are needed in order to continue our aid and rebuilding programme. Food, clothes and building materials can be bought in Sri Lanka, and this is the quickest and most cost-effective way of providing for these needs, as well as supporting the local economy:

• £10 will feed a family for a week

• £50-£100 will help buy the materials to build a new house

• £1,000 will help to build an orphanage

Full details of how to make a donation are on the How To Help page.

PRISON WORK

Smile has also been working in Tangalle Prison where prisoners can be held on remand for up to seven years – often with their children. We have provided sewing machines so that women prisoners can make clothes for their families. We also provided a fridge, a television, paint to redecorate the medical wing and distributed food parcels to prisoners’ families in Tangalle and Hambantota.

We were asked by the prison Governor to build a Christian chapel in the prison where the prisoners can go to pray, and to help prisoners to learn English. We provided a brick-making press to provide employment for the men, who have now built and completed the chapel, which is in the centre of the compound.

We thank the Lord for this opportunity to demonstrate His love and care to the prisoners and their families.

   
Sewing machine, TV and fridge donated in 2006 – Team member Ann Dodds presenting aid items to Governor in May 2008: DVD player and sports equipment for cricket, netball and volleyball

 

NEW ORPHANAGE