Fund raising appeal to support the school’s initiative for providing nutritious food to our students

Dear Hartleyites,

Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since independence in 1948. The economic crises cause several job losses, declining incomes, and other setbacks such as food and fuel shortages and increase in food prices. As a result, getting nutritious food to children is challenging for many families specially the daily wage earners. The country is experiencing disproportionate levels of child malnutrition in comparison with levels of poverty that are attributed to household food security in addition to inadequate care procedures, as an exacerbating factor.

The current crisis is stretching to their limits. Children are coming to school distressed and on empty stomach. Many children are not regularly attending the school. If we don’t act now, many families will be unable to meet their basic food needs and hence most vulnerable children who will pay the highest price for a mess not of their making.

The principal came up with the initiative with the collaboration of global past pupils’ association to meet the following objectives.

Addressing short-term hunger,
Reducing nutrient deficiency,
Improving school attendance and their performance
Encouraging healthy eating habits, and
Supporting local agriculture and economy.

Considering the urgency, it is decided to run this program, as an interim nature for six months, in order to see how they work in practice and review the process thereafter, with the view of further adjustments in the light of practical experience.

Principal and School management committee are planning to provide various nutritious foods including Saththu maavu (Samaposha), Sakkarai Satham, Kulai Satham and Peanut. The programme has started on 25th of July 2022. The total estimated cost for six months is approximately SL Rs 3.5 million. The cost is based on the premise that nearly 1000 students will benefit from this initiative and each menu / day costs approximately SL Rs 35,000/-. It is very difficult to assess the current and future market conditions for goods because there is lot of volatility within the markets. Given the country’s situation the necessity to take the program beyond six months is a reality.

Now it is the time for all the Hartleyites and well-wishers to act and show their solidarity with our school. Every donation will be utilized to provide nutritious food to our students. Please show your generosity for this urgent fund-raising appeal to provide nutritious food and supporting our society.

Please send your donation to HCPPA-UK account. The details are given below.