A New Year!

January 9th, 2009

Happy New Year to all. I hope that everyone has a fun filled and prosperous 2009.

I know it is a week or more into the year but i feel it’s better late than never to let others know of ones’ thoughts and wishes.

I must admit that personal issues, renovating my house and panicing over my TEFL course have been the reasons for not passing on my New Year wishes. Sorry.

It looks like it will be a tough year with the economic crisis but the Paddle4Relief Team are determined to put a smile on your face with some awesome fund raising events.

The festive period was a time of reflection for me. A time to remember 4yrs ago, of that horrific day! A day that the people of Sri Lanka, and elsewhere in the world that were affected by the tsunami try to forget. It was the day their lives were turned upside down and inside out. Nothing is really the same and nothing will be. Their memories are so painful. They carry on because they have to, but in their hearts the grief remains, the memories, the pain, the dispair. I see it so often when i am there. I hear it. “Why did it have to happen?”. “Why us?”. It tears me apart, brings me to tears. I know there is so much suffering in the world. I’ve seen so much through my travels. I dearly wish i had a magic wand to make everything alright. To take away the pain, the hunger, the thirst, and the distressing memories.

We can make a difference! We can put a smile on a childs face, food in their mouth, and fresh water to drink. We can organise activities, swimming, cricket, face painting and plant potting! We can help them to laugh and enjoy life. We can show them that others care about them.

By doing what we do, we put a smile on our own faces! So please, support us again in 2009. Enjoy the social fund raising experiences. Remember that when we have a beer, or glass of wine, there are others who are struggling to find safe drinking water for their children. P4R have been doing that. We have so far helped around 50 families gain access to safe drinking water. Let’s not stop the good work. We may be small, but we make a difference.

Join us, help us, have fun with us, come to Sri Lanka with us and experience the beautiful island with its beautiful people.

I’m now off my soap box and heading for a surf!

Thank you for reading my wittering on!

Stay positive, live life every day, and love your family and friends.

Tim

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