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KASTDA's Patron Roger Gale MP says:
"Some of those now in greatest need of assistance are the children left orphaned as entire families have been lost.
It is inevitable that, even after a tragedy of this scale, world interest and the focus of the media moves on as people re-build their own lives or face their own problems. That is why it is so important that KASTDA seeks to maintain the focus of attention on the orphaned children of the Tsunami and tries to ensure that not just their present but their future is provided for."
KASTDA's President David Fletcher reports on the achievements of the past year:
"I am pleased to report that in our second year, 2006/7, the Charity has achieved the significant growth and expansion for which we aimed:
- we have increased the number of youngsters that we sponsor by monthly standing order;
- we have welcomed a number of new members to our monthly meetings and a good number of new faces to our charity events;
- widened the range of meetings and events;
- increased our fund-raising by selling Kastda T-shirts and a range of ethnic items imported from Sri Lanka.
The year’s main events, which have enabled us to raise about £6000, have included:
- the Birchington Dinner and Cultural Evening held in June;
- the Worth Family Fun Day and a cricket match between Worth Cricket Club and a Kastda/QEQM Hospital team;
- the autumn Canterbury Cultural Event - a wonderful experience of Sri Lankan food and music, and impressive Tombolas and Raffles;
- the second anniversary of the Tsunami marked by a ceremony of Remembrance held at the Harbour Wall, Margate, with significant coverage on both Radio Kent and BBC South East TV News.
The nucleus of the charity is a solid “family” of dedicated members whose hard work and commitment has never ceased to amaze and impress me, and whose whole-hearted support I have enjoyed but never taken for granted. I thank you all deeply and sincerely.
I must at this point express my own deep gratitude and thanks on our member's behalf to Roger Gale MP for his unstinting and valued support and advice as Patron.
Certainly, this has been a momentous year for three main reasons:
- the revision of the Kastda Constitution;
- the confirmation on the 28th November of our status as a registered UK charity;
- the set up and launch of the first Kastda Lottery, registered with the Licencing Department, Thanet District Council.
I feel sure that we can justifiably feel proud of what Kastda has achieved in this our second year, but we must remain mindful that we cannot be complacent, for we have shouldered the duty and responsibility to support as best we can those dear children whose lives, so tragically affected, can be improved in some measure by our endeavours."
Striving to help the ophans
The KASTDA Fund will strive to make sure these orphans, some of them as young as 2-3 years, have proper long-term social welfare, education and healthcare (see our Projects page). They will need so much care and attention at least until they are 14-15 years old.
A Message from Amali
Sri Lankan student Amali who has been helped by KASTDA posted us this short note:
“I received the donation in December. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of you who contributed to the donation. Thank you for your generosity. May God protect all of you and keep all of you in His loving care.”
Amali
Why do these children need our continuing help?
Many are mentally scarred by what they saw as their brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, and other family members were killed or simply swept away by the Tsunami waves. Some are now so psychologically affected by the terror of water that they refuse to drink it or wash with it.
How can I help support the Tsunami Orphans? - Why not come to one of our fundraising events?
