Since January 2018 our center of life has been in Sri Lanka. After we were able to set up a foundation in Switzerland, the focus, after clarifying the local conditions and regulations, was on setting up the organization and setting up the women's refuge. In October 2019 we were able to sign the lease for the shelter and were intensively involved in the implementation of the concepts and the first cases that we handled. In many ways, the foundation benefits from the know-how of the broad-based foundation board.

 

The next steps were the smooth operation of the house and the launch of a fundraising campaign to secure the future of the project. To this end, we launched crowdfunding in December. At the end of January 2020, we were able to finish this successfully. A total of almost 45,000 francs was raised, which exceeded all of our expectations.

 

The shelter was fully furnished, all permits obtained, the brochures to inform the women printed and circulated. Thanks to the generous donations, we were also able to open a public contact point for women and children in need. We can now also offer legal assistance, medical support and psychological support 5 days a week. The advice center, which also serves as an office, is centrally located on the main street, just before Matara Downtown and is accessible to every woman and her story. This gives us the opportunity, after an initial clarification, to decide together how we can best support those seeking help.

 

This advice center was officially opened at the beginning of March. It is a local tradition to boil milk on special occasions and events as a symbol of prosperity. Fresh milk is boiled in a clay pot while the whole family gathers to experience this. When the milk overflows, those who gather around it will be happy. Hopes for a better future and prosperity fill the hearts of those who are there when the thick white milk boils over and extinguishes the hissing fire. Here are a few pictures of the ceremony with two Buddhist nuns, also known as bhikkhuni. The Matara police were also present, who gave us a strong backup with their participation.

 

It was very moving for us and we were happy that it finally started.

 

When the number of infections per day rose to over 10 in mid-March, the government reacted quickly and consistently. First all schools were closed and a week later, on March 20, a curfew was imposed for the first time for the whole country. Many people suddenly found themselves without income opportunities and the situation became more and more precarious. We used our possibilities as a foundation and helped out wherever possible. We have distributed countless parcels with the most essential food or ensured medical care for sick people - and we are still doing so.

 

Due to the limited scope for action and the lack of income from tourism, we decided with a heavy heart to travel to Switzerland at the end of April. Our services in the shelter and in the counseling center will continue to be looked after by our staff without restrictions. Our local manager Inoka and her staff continued to offer our services to all victims of violence. We are in daily contact and tackle the tasks that arise together with the local employees.

We have continued to employ all staff from the tourism sector independently of the work of the foundation and thus secure six families their income. It is important to us to go through this difficult time with you. We also use our time in Switzerland to intensify fundraising for the foundation and to continue the whole "Sambol Setting" project. If the entry regulations allow it again, we will travel back to Sri Lanka and go into the next phase with fresh vigor and new ideas.