Update: 09 August 2019

We are supporting a project to build a farm-well for a very needy family in Anuradhapura and your support will help to save the lives of the mother and her 3 children. If you prefer to help them directly, please get in touch so I can provide their contact details and bank details - PLEASE READ THEIR STORY below.

Initial estimate of the project was at LKR 177,000 but due to difficulties and bedrock found during initial construction we spent LKR 224,000 already and estimated another LKR 120,000 to complete the project.

We are reaching out to all well wishers to see if any of you could help with whatever the amount they can to raise the urgently needed funds.

If you could help, please let us know. No matter whatever the amount is. If you could help please contact the undersigned so we can let you know how to donate OR donate via Facebook using the Donate button in this website. Please consider giving your donation with Gift Aid if you are a UK tax payer.

Please see below and attached images for the full details of the story so far.

Many thanks.

Kind regards,
Dhammika Siripala, for Ranaviru Fund

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A mother, wife of a former soldier from Galenbindunuwewa had tried to commit suicide when her children were hungry for several meals and she was not able to feed them. She was saved by the villages. Somebody told her about Ranaviru Seva Authority (RVSA). She borrowed Rs. 1,800 from someone and came to Colombo, leaving Galenbindunuwewa in the night. By the time she came to RVSA she had exhausted all the money and the kids were not fed from the previous night. Thulani Dewamitta, coordination officer of RVSA asked if we could help.

She lives in the dry zone. She is a good farmer. During the rainy season she cultivates and also is able to find labor work. Life is manageable for her during the wet season with.

But during dry season she is not able to cultivate nor is able to find labour work. Her husband has been collecting bodies in the frontline. After doing his job for about 6 years his mental health broke and he was discharged from Army. He does not receive any pension (one has to either die or get wounded in battle to receive pension). Her husband does not get work because of his mental illness, but he helps her with cultivating during the wet season. He can become abusive when he goes hungry. I’m guessing an abusive husband and three crying children is what made her try the unimaginable. She said she will be able to stand on her own feet if she can cultivate throughout the year. She needs a farm-well. According to her, husband’s mental state is also lot better when he cultivates. I speak to her almost daily. Sound a very gutsy mother. I’m planning to visit her during the end of this month.

After discussing with her we came up with the below plan…

Send her 10K a month until she is able to stand on her own feet. We found a donor who agreed to donate 10K until she is able to stand on her own. From last May she is receiving this monthly donation and she said her children have not missed a single meal since May.

We will help her build a farm-well. August dry season is the best time. After discussing with the builder the estimate was 250K for a 10ft wide, 25ft deep well. We managed to find 200K and the project started last week. On the very first day we hit a stumbling block. A rock was encountered after digging about 25 feet. The diameter of the well had to be made 18ft to compensate for the rock. The initial estimate went for a six. So far she has spent 190K and owes a further 58K to various suppliers. We will have to halt work after tomorrow due to running out of funds. We must somehow finish it soon. Longer we keep it unfinished higher the risk of the un-retained earth falling back into the well.

We estimate we need about another 120K to complete the project.

Total Estimate (current estimate)

Excavation - 50,000
Sand 5 loads - 40,000
Rubble 5 loads - 35,000
Cement blocks 1100 - 44,000
Cement 30 bags - 30,000
1 Mason 13 days - 29,900
3 paid labourers 10 days - 57,000

2 unpaid helpers (various people come on and off to help.

Rarely do they work the full day. - 0
Steel, polythene, food, buckets, ropes, motor, pipes, etc - 50,000

Total - LKR 335,900

Attached her heartfelt thank you note which she sent to the donor who gives 10K a month.