It has now been two months since Four Season's started our work with helping the tsunami victims.  These weeks have been so busy, that it is difficult to imagine where the time has gone.  And while much work remains to be done, thanks to the generous contributions and support we have received we have accomplished quite a lot.  Therefore we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped us in our work to help the people of Sri Lanka!

First of all we would like to thank our children, Lisa, Randi, Per Runar and Sheana, who got involved.  They all have a very fond place in their hearts for Sri Lanka, and were eager to help.  They contacted friends and family all over the world asking them to send donations and asking them to spread the word about Four Season's.  There were bake sales and other forms of fund raising.  This helped us with much of the initial funding to start buying the emergency supplies.  Food and medicines were our first shipments.  Later packages were more comprehensive.

 

We would also like to say a special thank-you to our good friends, the Mosvold’s.  Ever since they visited Sri Lanka in October of 2004 and learned about Four Season's, they have been openhanded supporters.  When they heard about the tsunami, not only did they send a most generous donation right away, but spread the word to their friends to send too!  These donations became the base of the “family packages” (please see pictures in our gallery) – which included everything from pots and pans to mats and towels.  Each package contained 28 items and made such a difference to so many grateful families.

 

On last week’s web posting you saw that we have received donations in the memory of Jonathan.  This money has been used entirely in the small village area where Jonathan died.  So many others from the same small area were killed here by the tsunami and now their survivors are receiving help thanks to Jonathans caring parents. 

 

We would also like to thank Gunn Marit Lægreid who has gotten school children in her hometown of Eidfjord, Norway involved.  She visited us last year and had many good experiences, and she has taken these experiences and shared them with the children of her area to teach them about children’s lives in Sri Lanka.  It is so valuable for young people to be involved in aid work also as they see the horror on television and feel helpless… but yes, there is much they can do too.

 

May I also here thank Ildri Løvaas who generously took her time during the holidays to set up this website for Four Season's.  We didn’t even have to ask, she simply did it as a gift – her contribution to the work of Four Season's.  That has been such a wonderful addition for us, and we cannot thank you enough.

 

We have also received donations from churches and we really appreciate their support.  Holmen Church in Norway donated their offering from the New Year’s service.  Also First Presbyterian in Austin, TX (USA) recently donated their offering.  And Emmanuel Lutheran in Bethesda, MD (USA) helped out with making possible some of the fund raising activities.  And for us, the wonderful strength of know that they have also sent prayers is of extreme value.

 

There have also been several corporate donors.  Among them a Danish company, COWI, that has been doing business in Sri Lanka for years gave a nice donation.  Borneo Exotica, also based in Sri Lanka, gave a donation early on and now have told us they would like to give again as they see the money is being put to good use.  We are very happy to hear this. 

 

There are also many individuals that have made contributions, and some even twice or more.  Please know that each and every gift, whether big or small, has been appreciated and your donation is being used to the best of our ability to help those who need it the most.  Remember that when you give to Four Season's, each and every cent of your donation is used 100% for relief work.  There are no salaries or administrative fees – that is what we, the volunteers of Four Season's, donate. 

 

We hope that you think this has been a good way of contributing, and that some of you will want to continue to support our work.  We will continue to work and do our best as long as we have the funds.  Please consider Four Season's if you are still looking for ways to help.  The disaster is so big, and it does not go away just because they quit showing it on television...  We will pledge to do our best in getting help to the most deserving for as long as we are able and to continue our original work, which is helping some of the poorest children to remain in school.

 

With warm regards,
The volunteers of Four Season's