Dear prayer partner,

Sri Lanka is famous for many things: beautiful landscapes, friendly people, vibrant culture and so much more. But have you ever tried Sri Lankan food? I’m the photojournalist here in Sri Lanka, and I wish you could try my mother’s homemade beef curry!

During my visits around the island, I’ve met many families who can’t afford nutritious meals. Most caregivers are day laborers, surviving on what they earn each day. Generally, they can only afford rice and one curry — sometimes made with produce from the garden or a catch from a nearby river. This is often eaten for lunch and dinner, with breakfast skipped. That means children don’t get the nutrition they need for healthy development.

Several years ago, Sri Lanka faced a severe economic crisis that caused major shortages and skyrocketing prices. By July 2022, nearly 40% of families couldn’t get enough food, and much of that hardship continues. I’ll never forget Thamilselvi and her family. “I have to go abroad to work,” she told me. “At least then my children will have three good meals a day if I send money.” Thankfully, the economic crisis in Sri Lanka is easing, but poverty and food insecurity still affects 25% of the population.

This month, as we sit around our tables, let’s thank God for his blessings — and let’s pray for families in Sri Lanka who can’t afford a healthy meal. Let's pray for Thamilselvi’s family. Let’s ask God to miraculously meet their needs and continue using people like you to bless these families with food on their tables.

Thank you for your prayers,

O Balasingh

PRAISES!

  • Praise God that Dhivan from Sri Lanka, who was unable to finish school, now works at a hotel after completing vocational training in housekeeping.

  • Praise God that 42,000 students in Katoro, Tanzania, now have their own school desks thanks to an initiative by Compassion’s local church partners.

  • Praise God that farming families like Joel’s in Burkina Faso received training, seeds and fertilizers to grow more crops and increase their harvests.