Excerpt from the Paalam Nov 2025 Newsletter
In October 2023, a dedicated team from PCC – Phoenix Community Care (London, UK) travelled to Sri Lanka to visit the Paalam Project. During their time in Jaffna, they spent days at the new Paalam School, visited families living in extremely challenging conditions, and joined children’s programmes in the village of Irupalai, Kopay. What they witnessed left a deep impression, especially the reality faced by families without a safe place to call home.
Returning to the UK, the PCC team felt compelled to do something tangible. They set themselves a bold challenge: raise £8,000 – the cost of building a home – one brick at a time. Their simple but powerful idea was to invite friends, family, and anyone willing to help to donate £1per brick, believing that many small acts of generosity could build something life changing.
The team wasted no time. They poured their energy into sharing the vision, telling Jermila’s story, and rallying their communities. In April 2024, they organised a warm and inspiring fundraiser in Brick Lane, London, where supporters came together to enjoy music, watch a short film the team had created, hear reflections from their trip, and contribute to the mission. By the end of the following week, their efforts had already raised £6,500.
Undeterred, the team pressed on. They planned a second event in South London for June and continued tirelessly advocating for the cause.
Their persistence paid off: in November 2024, they reached their full target of £8,000, enabling construction to begin.
Today, thanks to the remarkable dedication and hard work of the PCC fundraising team, and the generosity of all who donated, Jermila and her three children now live in a safe, secure two-bedroom home with an attached bathroom and toilet. No longer forced to squat on a football field or live in a fragile shack, they now have stability, dignity, and hope.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to PCC and every member of the fundraising team. Their compassion, creativity, and determination have transformed one family’s future – one brick, one pound, and one act of kindness at a time