Shekinah's Mental Health Placement in Sri Lanka!

Shekinah Sumayod Start Date: Mar 10, 2017 - End Date: Sep 18, 2017
  • Sri Lanka

My Travel Story

by: Shekinah Sumayod Start Date: Mar 10, 2017 - End Date: Sep 18, 2017
Hello, my name is Shekinah! I’m on my final year at the University of Sussex studying Psychology with Neuroscience and I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to go Sri Lanka for 4 weeks for a Mental Health Placement with SLV. I am thankful for your generosity and appreciate any help you are able to give!

Mental health is a major issue in the UK with 1 in 6 adults experiencing mental health problems. Throughout my degree I have become more aware of the prevalence and more determined to improve the lives of those in need. Mental health is also a major issue in Sri Lanka as some are still recovering from the aftermath of the tsunami and civil war. Currently, the Sri Lankan government spend only 1.6% of their total health budget on mental health. There is a large community out there that can’t afford the help that we are privileged to have within such easy reach.

I’ll be heading to Sri Lanka in October along with many other whole-hearted volunteers where we’ll be working within the psychiatric facility, the rehabilitation centre and the surrounding community to care for them, teach them and encourage them. I’ll be helping individuals at varying stages of their recovery, teaching children and adults English, running activities for people with specific needs, etc. It will be hard work but I am passionate about these individuals and will give my all to help them.

“How we walk with the broken speaks louder than how we sit with the great”- Bill Bennot

I am working and fundraising to cover training, my homestay and flights as this is all volunteer work. I hope you will consider to support me in whatever way you can, funds or prayers, each I am thankful for.

If you want to find more about what SLV does, I've provided a link to their website and a short video below. 

Thank you for taking the time to read and for your generous heart.
  • Sri Lanka

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