top of page

Sponsor a Child

Change a Life

Baveena

Jaffna, Sri Lanka

Girl, Age 14
Baveena is a determined and musically gifted young girl. She loves to sing and play her violin, bringing joy to others through her talents. Baveena lives with her single mother and two sisters Madhunika (8) and Mahishna (11) in a home whose renovation was funded by the Dust Project in 2023. They work to care for the land, tend and harvest the coconut trees, and look after the animals in their care. Baveena’s mom also works for Paalam School, cooking the breakfast meal for students every day.

Reference Number -        

0183

Family Information

A few years ago, when we first met this precious family, they were actually homeless, and Baveena’s mom was working long hours as a day laborer in the fields, in addition to selling cooked meals to the neighborhood when she was able to. Without their dad around, Baveena’s mother finds it incredibly difficult to make ends meet for her girls, let alone pay for Baveena to pursue her passions and talent in music. Monthly food parcels would be a total blessing for this mom and her 3 beautiful, growing girls.

Support Baveena

Reference Number -        

0183

open book splat.png

​

child.png

​

bookchild.png

​

For £30, your sponsored child and his/her family will receive a monthly 'Food Run' containing parcels of essential dry goods —  such as rice, dhal, chickpeas, noodles, flour, tea, etc.  Depending on their needs, these parcels also often contain hygienic necessities like toothpaste, soap, sanitary products, etc.

'If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one.'

Mother Theresa

What can I expect from my Sponsorship?

Once you make your selection and fill in your details, you’ll be prompted to set up a Direct Debit or Standing Order with The Dust Project to cover the costs of your chosen child.  This will come out of your account on a monthly basis.  Quarterly, The Dust Project makes a Sterling transfer of these collective funds to Sri Lanka, which provide our Ambassadors, local employees and sister-charity The Palaam Project (click here to find out more) with the allocated funds to buy groceries, clothing, school items and other needs, as budgeted for your child. 

 

After you've signed up to sponsor a child, we’ll send you further information in the mail about him or her.  You can expect to receive a letter from your child each trimester.  We encourage you, however, to write and introduce yourself as soon as possible, as they’ll be so excited to have a sponsor! Feel free to send photos of your family, have your own children draw pictures or write letters, and begin to develop a relationship with your sponsored child.  You are incredibly special to them, and they'll treasure every word they receive from you.

 

You can post letters and small gifts to your sponsored child at one of the following addresses, depending on his/her location.

Please send them clearly labeled with the name of your sponsored child to either:

​

If your sponsored child lives in Jaffna -

Name of your child

c/o The Dust Project

'Jenny Cot'

Kopay South,

Kopay,

Jaffna,

Sri Lanka

​

If your sponsored child lives in Wattala -

Name of your child

c/o The Dust Project
22A 1st Lane,
Palliyawatta,
Hendala,
Wattala,
Sri Lanka

 

In no way is this a compulsory measure - in fact, we strongly advise that if you must send anything, send simple things they can relate to and enjoy within the context of their families and ‘sisters’ at the hostel.  Electronics, expensive clothing, ‘slime’ and things of an impractical nature don’t translate very well.  They DO enjoy things like stickers, dolls, school supplies, and small items such as marbles, bouncy balls, drawing pads, etc.  And it goes without saying, Sri Lanka is a HOT country and it takes up to 3 months to get things to the children… so chocolates and melting candies don’t bode well.

​

Acceptable items to send - MUST be a flat letter up to A4, or fit in medium-sized JIFFY BAG (boxes/parcels require a fee to be 'released' and must be picked up at an inconvenient location) - 

  • Stickers

  • Small packs of sweets (non-melting!)

  • Letters with life updates and messages

  • Postcards with nice phrases and images - or a postcard from a place the sponsor has recently visited

  • Photos of sponsor and their families / pets

  • Drawings for the sponsor child from your own family

  • Stationary items

  • T-shirt / lightweight clothing / modest apparel

  • Colouring sheets 

  • Hair accessories / small & cheap jewellery items (friendship bracelets etc)

  • Small toys: Paper gliders / fidget spinner / GoPop (pop-it) / bouncy ball / yo-yo 

  • Pack of balloons (consider age of child)

  • Bookmark

  • Pencil case

  • Toothbrush / comb 

  • Key chain

​

UNACCEPTABLE items - please DO NOT send! -

  • chocolates, melting or home-made foods

  • cash of any currency

  • boxes of any size / anything larger than medium-sized Jiffy bag (padded envelope)

​

Thank you!!!!

​

Thank You

We — as the Trustees, and all who work alongside us — want to say a heartfelt THANK YOU for your selfless generosity of spirit in sponsoring your child.  We know there are countless ways to use money every month, and that to give is a sacrifice.  However, we also firmly believe that to sow into the life of another human being — who otherwise would have a very difficult time surviving, let alone thriving — is the VERY best investment you could possibly make.  Your financial support and connection will inevitably change the course trajectory of their lives, the health of their growing bodies, and encourage the stability of their growing sense of hope and self.

bottom of page