Financial Update

GIVE VIA PAYPAL
http://srilankamissions.blogspot.com/2005/02/paypal.html

Yesterday we put down the three months rent and security deposit on our Team's first apartment! This apartment is being rented as a base of operations, where teams can stay and eat together; a place to rest. The apartment cost us $350 per month- $1,400 total. It is in a safe place, and has a very good location in relation to the things that we will need: a market and internet cafe. Since our team travels a lot, this base will not be a place that we spend a lot of time, but rather, a place that we can look forward to returning to after a long time of physically and emotionally difficult work.

Budget:
After three weeks here, this is what we project the monthly budget to be (per person):
Transportation- $100.00
Food- $150.00
Internet- $20.00
Telephone- $40.00
Housing- FREE while traveling, but we ask every person to share a portion of the monthly rent

Visas cost $174 for every three months. After the first three months, there is an additional tax of $100 for every time your visa is extended.

Need:
Currently, our team of three carries $300. Buying food and transportation for more people is cheaper, so this amount should suffice until March.

Vegas and I have not yet purchased our visas, however, which expire- they've been approved, just not payed for- on February 14 (Happy Valentines Day!) The total for that is $348.

I also find myself in a place of need in that I have not found a supporter to help with my Las Vegas condo- currently occupied by only my roommate, and keeping all of Vegas and I's stuff while we are away. This is $270 per month.

**A note to readers: Although it may seem as though Vegas and I are extremely irresponsible with our budget, and should- therefore- not be helped at all. Please let me explain that an amount of $700 monthly support has been taken away from us due to personal needs that have arisen in the life of the doner who promised it. We feel no ill feelings about this, but it is a set-back. In addition to this, a lump sum of $715 has not yet been provided- though it was promised. I am trusting that if God wants us here, he will provide the support. If not, then we will have no choice but to return to the States sooner than expected. In the future we will be sure to set a budget based upon actual amount, as opposed to promised amount.**

If you would like to support the Sri Lanka Outreach Team with your finances, please see the support section at the end of our FAQ.

Week 2 Photos

Our digital cameras seems to be busted or the batteries we buy here are no good.

Either way way found some photos (not ours) to keep you update of the progress. We will update you with our photos as soon as possible. See the album.

News from the team

For our hard work in the south we have been given very red burns which we are rather certain will become farmers tans. We setup many tents in the south alongside village locals who reside in Koluthara. One month later and they still do not have housing more than UN tarps. We provided many 2 room single family tents to the people who are either without housing or people who are living cramped with others. The locals used the cardboard the tents came in as beds. We will be in our new apartment tommorow and look forward to returning to clean and rebuild wells with our newest member Andrea on Saturday.

Today former president Bill Clinton announced he will be officially working with the UN special envoy to provide negotation and other valuable skills to this country. So we look forward to encouraging news from the UNDP, UN and USAID programs.

The LTTE has announced is is seeking international NGO's and not the Sri Lankan governemnet to distribute aid.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1218769,001301540003.htm

The NDMC has created a needs website that tracks needs and whats available.
http://www.undp.lk/ndmc/Humanitarian/HumanitarianAid_Home.htm

Not counting the LTTE areas, "70% of affected Sri Lankans without aid"
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/130426/1/.html

Currently, According to the Inspecotrs General command of Sri Lanka
(government for all areas expect most of the north and the east)
Identified Death Count 20936
Bodies Buried or destroyed 10152
People displaced is 296,959
Current Orphan count unreported

Currently, According to the Tamils Rehabilitation Organization
(government for north and the east)
Identified Death Count unreported
Bodies Buried or destroyed unreported
People displaced is unreported
Current Orphan count 2862

PayPal

If you would like to contribute to either our apratment and operational needs which include all the things listed in our budget and monthly contributions you may do so by giving to Operations.

If you would like to contribute to Relief Projects which may include orpahnage rebuilding, house building, computer supply and supporting others who may not be able to afford coming here to assist in relief.

Operations:

Relief Projects:

Outreach Update

We have created the first version of our Team Update Newsletter and notes about needs in the area. This file is in Word Format and can be downloaded by clicking below. A HTML version is also available and does not include images.

• Word Version
  
• HTML Version

Thank you for your prayers and support. We will respond to emails when we are back from Karathua.

God's Blessings,
Vegas