Sponsor a Child

Change a Life

Kansika

Jaffna, Sri Lanka

Girl, Age 12

Kansika lives with her elder sister and their mother and father. In December 2024, tragedy struck their family when her five-year-old brother died after he fell into a well and could not get out. Understandably, this has caused a huge amount of fear and grief for the family. Prior to this event, Kansika’s family were not connected to the Dust Project or the area in which we work; however, following this tragedy, the community of Irupalai in Jaffna has come together to look after, care for, and counsel this family - helping them through this unimaginable situation.

Reference Number -

0228

Family Information

Her mother does not work as she suffers from epileptic seizures following the death of her son. Doctors believe this condition is linked to stress, worry, and thinking about the events that took place. Her father works as a day laborer who - although as a skilled mason he is lucky enough to find work regularly - still cannot earn enough to cover their basic needs. Our sister charity, Paalam, are working alongside this family to help support them. As part of this support, we have been requested to find sponsorship which will provide monthly food aid to the family. In early 2025, Kansika’s family were given the opportunity to relocate to a house closer to the Paalam site so they could be around the community that supports them. However, this does not belong to them, so they worry about their future living situation. Presently, Kansika is studying in a Tamil medium school and is very interested in her studies, as she is a keen learner.

Support Kansika

Reference Number -

0228

Sponsor Food Parcels

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.