As you tuck into your Christmas Day prawn cocktail starter this year, please spare a thought for our islanders living on Mahinsa Island in Orissa…

Mahinsa Island is bordered by Chilika Lagoon on one side and the Bay of Bengal on the other and thus is very open to cyclones.  Now in its second and final year, Project Eco has achieved great success in protecting the island from its vulnerability to cyclones with coconut palms and mango trees and has now established the island’s self-sufficiency with such livelihoods as organic compost which is sold to mainland nurseries, ground-nuts and the cultivation of prawns, fish and crabs which are sold to wholesalers for export.

The islanders have now built a store-house for the prawns, fish and crabs to await distribution to market and although the island does have access to electricity, as in most parts of India, the supply is very unreliable.  To make sure their prawns, fish and crabs are kept as fresh as possible the islanders want to add a freezer to their store-house and a solar panel to its roof to ensure a continual supply of electricity. 

Can you help us raise just £1100 to help our islanders buy a freezer and solar panel?  Your support will mean that our islanders will be able to earn more money and ensure greater sustainability making a difference not only their families’ incomes but to the entire island’s.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.

Merry Christmas from Everyone at Jeevika Trust!