Hi Darling,
Following is a summary of what is going on here to forward on. The aid is seems to be getting into the country and we hear there are boxes and boxes of items arriving daily - the problem seems to be the distribution of the items to the areas that need the aid - some through lack of co-ordination and others through physically not being able to access the areas.

Today I started putting together information for a leaflet to be printed on the symptoms and prevention of dysentery, diarrhea, dengue fever and malaria. as so many of these people are coastal villagers they need to be educated on how to prevent the spread of disease which is now so threatening amongst all the shelters.

Some parts of Sri Lanka have encountered further problems with flash flooding and people in these areas have been isolated for days with no clean water or food - so you can imagine the disease that is spreading and the conditions that they are living with. dengue fever and malaria are becoming more prevalent as well as cases of dysentery and diarrhea.

The Sri Lankan Cricker Board has established a relief fund to focus on a lot of these severely affected areas. They are also planning to get some low cost building done in order to relocate all the displaced people. One of the other objectives they have is to build some orphanages for the millions of orphans - this is a huge requirement and you would all be devastated to see the amount of orphaned children - it really breaks your heart!!

There is so much I could tell you but I would be writing all night. I am certainly getting a huge education on life and how much we take for granted. Thanks to everyone for your huge amount of support - it is great that we can all make a difference in our small way.

love Needs