I am fundraising for my volunteering placement in Sri Lanka, in January 2017 where I will be working with SLV volunteers alongside Samutthana to better the lives of those in the under-resourced mental health sector in Sri Lanka. I will be working in a psychiatric ward with both children and adults who experience mental health difficulties and are marginalized by circumstance. In addition to this, I will also be teaching English as a foreign language to the community.

Sri Lanka is still recovering from the effects of a Tsunami and a civil war. In 2009 the Sri Lankan government announced that it had achieved victory over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a separatist militant organization, after more than 25 years of civil conflict. Despite the official end of the war, many Tamil civilians in the North of the country are still coping with the effects of the conflict- including mental health difficulties, post war.

SLV allows psychology graduates, along with your help, to put their skills and knowledge into action and make a difference in the lives of others. I hope to make a positive impact on the local community and service users, whilst also being able gain invaluable work experience. I will be working full time within the week either in teams, with the community or individually to organise project activities for a total of 4 weeks.

The funds raised will help me participate in this project, allowing me to support those with mental health difficulties within the Sri Lankan community. I have been working hard over the past few months to earn as much money as possible to fund this placement. However any donations will be very much appreciated!!

Thank you

Krishana