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                       is there a world you long to see?

Boxing Day 2004 saw the worst natural disaster in living memory: over 300,000 were killed by a tsunami caused by an earthquake in the Indian Ocean.  The British public's response to the crisis was staggering: over £250 million was raised by the DEC's appeal, meaning that the vast majority of people in this country donated.

But that's only the start of things to come.

Sri Lanka was the second-worst affected by the tsunami.  31,000 died and there are still thousands missing.  In addition, around 1 million people are currently homeless and at least 400,000 have lost their jobs.

As a country, it will cost them at least £3.5 billion to redevelop.  Our £250 million represents only 7% of their needs - but our emergency relief money isn't just going to Sri Lanka, it's going to many countries that deservedly need help.  The massive funds raised by the tsunami emergency appeal in this country represent very little of what is going to be needed over the next few years.

So what is to be done?

St. Swithun's Church has a particular link with a village in Sri Lanka, called Trincomalee, that suffered badly from the tsunami.  Around 80% of its buildings were destroyed, including its church.  Their church was a focus for their community, and they are missing it greatly.  Without it, a vital part of their village life is missing.  To rebuild it will cost around £10,000 but the impact that it will have on them would be immeasurable: "it would give us our soul back, it would give us hope that everything's going to be alright", one villager stated.

All the money raised from this production will go to the village reconstruction project and help fund the rebuilding of their church.  If you ever wondered how you could personally make a difference, then this is the way.

UPDATE: We raised £7,500 from our production, which will go one heck of a long way to helping Trincomalee.  Well done everyone!

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