UPDATE:

The My Pace or Yours team (Tharu , Kavi , Dinu and Dev) is participating in the Spitfire Scramble, a 24-hour multi-terrain relay race, to continue fundraising for Ani Nilavan Puvanesan and his outreach school in Sri Lanka.

If you have caught news re Sri Lanka recently, it will probably have been about the political instability, the protests, the ban on buying/selling petrol, the daily power cuts, inflation running at 50% and the mass exodus of the youth. It is indeed a very difficult time for the country.

However, Ani Nilavan and his team are hanging in there - still providing lessons for students and even expanding their services to poor and marginalized communities in the province. One of these activities is supporting entrepreneurs in rural villages, working with organizations such as the Centre for Peacebuilding and Reconciliation (CPBR) to help rebuild Sri Lanka one family at a time.

Spitfire: https://www.spitfirescramble.co.uk

ORIGINAL POST:

Hi. I'm Tharusha Denuwan.

I am hoping to raise money for ibridge, an educational facility in Mullaitivu, Sri Lanka. ibridge is improving the work-readiness of local youth in an area heavily affected by civil war and where youth unemployment rates are above 30%.

By running courses in English, IT and entrepreneurship, ibridge provides 16-23 year olds additional qualifications and skills to help them to enter the workforce.

Ani Nilavan Puvanesan (22), started the school last year. After providing support to 200+ students, ibridge is now relocating from the local community hall to a dedicated premises with two classrooms and a potential library/IT suite. The team has been preparing the new premises (see pictures of them painting) to open this month, but a national covid lockdown has thwarted that timeline. They are taking advantage of this forced delay by building partnerships, further developing their curriculum and spreading the word. The delay has however led to a shortfall in funds.

I have been working with Ani Nilavan for the past few months and have been incredibly impressed by his desire to make the world a fairer place and his ability to get things done. A true change-maker. I am therefore trying to help from afar by raising funds to cover his shortfall.

We forecast that LKR 3 000 000 (approx. $10,000) would bridge the team to a new opening date in January 2022. Any small amount you could donate to that total would assist Ani Nilavan and his team greatly in reducing poverty, reducing inequality and empowering young people.

Thank you ...