“To Sandy, From Sri Lanka” is here!
Join us on our trip to Sri Lanka last August, exploring how our tsunami aid beneficiaries are faring almost 10 years later, what we’ve learned in terms of good disaster giving, and where this special country is today.
Give any amount, today, to 2 special projects in Sri Lanka!
I’ve never made one of my causes public, not even Give2Asia. And due to age more than anything, I’ve never been a racer for causes.
But this year, we have a cause: helping some of those most in need in Sri Lanka, and I ask you to take 5 minutes to give $25, $50, or any amount to the Tsunami Renewal Fund (http://give2asia.org/tsunamiplusten).
Sri Lanka was the first stop for this T+10 personal research project exploring the philanthropic legacy of the 2004 tsunami. It was a remarkable trip, and if you haven’t seen it, check out the trip video we are so proud of: http://tsunamiplus10.org/MINI-DOC; thanks to Mayra Padilla for all her insights and photo/videography.
Conflict still divides Sri Lanka, and while the war is over and things are markedly better, there remain disparities between the Sinhalese/Buddhist South and the former Tamil conflict zone in the North and East.
We can’t solve these problems but we know two organizations that can help families and youth in different ways. More detail is in the previous post, and we are raising just $10,000 for 2 projects: the FOUNDATION OF GOODNESS and the 181 individuals in Neethipuram Village to the North, and SRI LANKA UNITES, which works with youth on reconciliation across the country.
In addition to what we’ve put into Tsunami+10, we’ve made our own gifts to the Tsunami Renewal Fund (http://give2asia.org/tsunamiplusten). My 3:1 match from work helps!
Why now and why Sri Lanka? There are some things you give to simply because of inequality and great need. Neethipuram counts, with families earning barely $100/mo and the traumas of conflict fresh. We know exactly where our funds will go and who they’ll help. These are gifts for concrete hope, into a tough but ready environment, and we know that FOG has complementary commitments in the village and the North. We can trust both organizations to keep us updated over time.
This once (and perhaps next year for Aceh, Indonesia!), give what you can, and any amount matters. The TSUNAMI RENEWAL FUND is only for grantees and programs (not Tsunami+10 itself), and is tax deductible. Click:
http://give2asia.org/tsunamiplusten
In any event, best wishes!
Mike, with Mayra
Watch “The Impossible” and read our VIEWER’s GUIDE which provides context, lessons from the recovery, and how to get involved today, along with tips on good disaster giving. It’s a remarkable, thought-provoking film! View and share below or here.
Donate now to Neethipuram Village and more
GIVE to our $10,000 campaign for very specific projects to help today’s Sri Lanka, starting with a village in the North.
- Any amount helps
- It’s tax deductible, with oversight, too, from Give2Asia
- We know exactly where funds are going
- We have top notch nonprofits managing the projects
Catch Up on Tsunami+10 — and Get Involved!
A summary and images from our journey so far, with much more to come! Check it out, let us know what you think, and take one action to help the cause!
The Feb. 2013 update from www.TsunamiPlus10.org. by Mike Rea
A merry, peaceful and restful holiday to all! And gratitude to everyone working to make every day ahead a better one for others. Thank you Careem and Vinya of Sarvodaya, and so many others.
December is here and the month that features the release of a major movie set in Thailand during the tsunami, not to mention the Dec. 26 8th anniversary, will start with a bang — 2 seats at the Los Angeles premiere of THE IMPOSSIBLE on Monday!
Many thanks to Lions Gate and Summit Entertainment for the invitation.
Mayra and I can’t wait to see the movie and to bring a philanthropic lens, as well as our recent research in Sri Lanka, to our review.
Our Viewer’s Companion to the movie is almost done and our mini-documentary, “To Sandy From Sri Lanka,” is halfway there. Both have been incredible for crystallizing our experience and messages.
There is a lot to say about the tsunami, its legacy, and disaster giving. We’re grateful for the movie for raising awareness and creating opportunities for discussion.
More soon, from LA!
Just one of my favorite images from our remarkable trip back to Sri Lanka — from the Burgher community’s tsunami memorial in Batticaloa. (photo by Mayra)
We’ve been busy on at least two fronts: (1) a Viewer’s Companion to “The Impossible” movie coming out 12/21 in the US, and (2) a mini-documentary on our trip!
Happy Thanksgiving, and our thoughts and hearts are in Sri Lanka, those in need, and especially with Sandy victims.
Renowed artist and peace activist Chandraguptha Thenuwara on “Barrelism” and the need for peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka today. This is a just snapshot of a remarkable interview. More to come!
Meet Kushil Gunasekera and the Foundation of Goodness, one of Sri Lanka’s most effective nonprofits that grew up and out of the tsunami and the resulting aid.
Listen to his story and that of his team and organization, which today is playing a major role for youth in the South of Sri Lanka and increasingly in reconciliation and services in the North.
