CHILDREN OF NEW ENGLAND

to the CHILDREN OF GALLE, SRI LANKA

BOOK BAG PROJECT

On December 26, a tsunami washed away everything in the historic port town of Galle Sri Lanka. Everything lies in ruins. The school children are without schools and even the most basic supplies. While others are raising funds to rebuild the health clinic and elementary school destroyed by the tsunami in Galle, the children of New England can reach out to the children of Galle by sending to them cloth book bags filled with school supplies and a personal photo/letter.

Cloth draw string bags (11”X14”) can be made by the children and/or their parents, Home Ec students, handwork groups, 4-H or Scout groups, Senior Centers etc.

We suggest that they be filled with everyday school supplies, including:

5 pencils

colored pencils (8 pack)

2 large ruled copy books (bound, no spiral)

2 plain page copy book

2-3 note pads of various sizes

erasers

pencil sharpeners

stickers to decorate notebooks

notebook covers could also be decorated with a photo of school or simple postcards, etc.

Each child may include a personal letter, a photo of him/herself, and a picture or postcard from New England. This would give the New England children direct opportunity to express their care and concern to their peers in Galle.

Nipponzan Myhoji monks and nuns, Bob Jennings, and other lay people traveling to Sri Lanka in +February 2005 will carry these book bags directly to the children in Galle. Perhaps there will be opportunity to bring back photos and replies from the children in Galle.

There is no doubt that the children of Galle will be encouraged and filled with hope when the receive these book bags. By the same token, the children of New England will have been given a tangible way to deal with the impact that the tsunami has had in their lives. Help us spread the word and become a local contact for your area.

For further information, please contact: Beth Ingham, Noonday Farm (978) 297-1148

Jaqui Gemme, Grafton, NY (518) 377-1338

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