My name is Danielle Silverman and I am an English teacher working in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Through my work, I discovered the fantastic Community Concern Society working with children from slum communities, providing a valuable early years' education through their Tiny Stars pre-school and day care Centre. I was so impressed by the dedication and warmth of the staff ­– especially Stella the lady in charge of the day-to-day running!

Tiny Stars has around 70 children – the poorest and most vulnerable from this community. They provide a day care and after school facility so that mothers can find work – to earn an income to support their family. The pre-school prepares children for government school which, whilst nominally free, presents huge financial and practical challenges for this impoverished community.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

What is the need?

Flooding, due to heavy rain, rat infestation and the ramshackle condition of the building make it virtually impossible to provide a safe and healthy environment for the tiny tots. Because the building is rented, there is also a constant drain on the school’s already scarce funds to pay the rent.

I discovered that there were plans for a purpose built building to rehouse the school but insufficient funds to cover the building costs – time to organize some fundraising to bridge the gap!

Because this building is needed for the long-term support of this community, work has already started – but will be disrupted when the existing funds are exhausted. Community Concern will need around £45,000 to complete the new building. We are hoping initially to raise £5,000 of this through Just Giving and more through a sponsored event that we are organizing in Sri Lanka. Once the building is complete, Community Concern plan to introduce more after school programs so that all the poor children in the slum area will have more opportunities to excel in life.

Community Concern’s partners in the UK, Global Care, have long supported their work – sponsoring many of the local able-bodied and disabled children through their education.  I will be fundraising in partnership with Global Care for this building work.

It’s always good to know that the money you give to charity will directly and immediately help those who need it.  I can assure you from first-hand experience that the completion of this building project and the rehousing of the school will be of enormous benefit to these young children and their families. Please give what you can. Thank you.