Helplanka’s objective is to assist children affected by poverty by meeting the longer-term needs of all those who may suffer financial, educational and social hardship regardless of race, religion or creed in Sri Lanka. We are a long-term education charity aiming to provide practical, culturally fitting, long term assistance to enable children to Help them to Help Themselves to have a better future.
We are different in that we are only children focused and provide feedback by project to all donors.
We help ALL communities within Sri Lanka and are not affiliated to any political or religious organizations.
We at Helplanka believe in working with all sections of Sri Lankan and UK society, regardless of Ethnicity, or religious conviction, non politically and are proud to work in conjunction and with the support of the Sri Lanka High Commission, sister charity organisations and associations such as APSLUK, Sylvia Lanka Foundation, the SLMDA, Serve, Dimuthu Foundation, BRISLA and Athula Dassana Buddhist Vihara Heathrow since 2005.
How We Started and What We Have Been Doing
Helplanka Beginnings
Helplanka began its relief aid operations by sending aid to Sri Lanka in 2005 and food, clothing, medicines and dry rations were despatched to the affected areas from the UK by ship followed up by visits to the Southern part of Sri Lanka where an assessment was made as to how the charity could assist in the rebuilding and post disaster recovery.
It was quickly decided to work with the most vulnerable children in affected areas where Helplanka had some contacts at ground level who could directly assist. Funds came from family, friends and Sri Lankans based in the UK.
Helplanka School Twinning Project
- A scheme whereby a school in the UK can twin with a corresponding school in Sri Lanka
- Scheme to be administered and initiated by Helplanka
- Specific project by project fundraising to be mutually agreed
- A long-term commitment by both schools with Helplanka acting as a conduit of communication
Benefits to UK Schools
- UK school can create a long-term relationship and bond with a school in Sri Lanka
- UK school can benefit from learning at a personal level about a different culture
- Helplanka can assist in launching a pen pals scheme for children to communicate with one another
- Helplanka can provide feedback as to how donations are being spent and plan activities with the schools
- All administration and communication to set up and run the scheme will be borne by Helplanka
- The schools twinning project can become part of the school’s curriculum and a base for class projects with support from Helplanka
- Helplanka can provide insights into what items are required and ensure that aid and money is distributed fairly and honestly
- There is no compulsion to raise a minimum amount
- Helplanka are flexible and will help provide a fundraising plan and any sponsorship support materials if required
- School twinning certificate and photographs of chosen school to be provided by Helplanka
- Visits to Sri Lankan schools can be arranged
- UK Volunteer schemes and gap Year placements
- Visits by Helplanka to present feedback to UK schools
Benefits to Sri Lankan Schools
- A source of sponsorship to fund educational projects
- Builds a long-term connection and relationship with another culture
- Pen friend scheme at a personal level for children
- An opportunity to provide feedback about life in Sri Lanka
- To help build morale in deprived schools
- To help advance moral and spiritual awareness of pupils
- Certificate of participation
Projects, Schools and Orphanages Assisted by Helplanka Since 2005
Helplanka has successfully provided financial donations, educational equipment, feeding programmes, tree planting , clothing, counselling, training, IT scholarships, child sponsorship, building, Mobile Library, provision of computers, educational visits, music, drama and sports programmes and equipment , provision of books, toys , printers , photocopiers and uniforms and volunteer programmes since 2005.
Child Sponsorship (Help a Lankan Child)
Launched in 2007 by Helplanka this is a special scheme to sponsor a child’s education including tuition fees and equipment for a minimum of £25 per month.
Sponsors pledge to support a child for a minimum of 1-year payments being made direct to the child or parent’s bank in Sri Lanka via direct debit. Sponsor can request direct contact with child and obtain regular feedback on child’s progress.
Download our sponsorship form to Help a Lankan child today.