Australia's Travel Industry delivers Touch of Magic to Orphaned Sri Lankan Children

It was only a small touch of Disney magic – but for a few orphaned children in Sri Lanka, the Disney travel bags they received recently brought plenty of smiles.

The children are residents at Maithree Home in Colombo, and students of Kalawana School, which Is supported by SriLankan Cares, the charitable arm of SriLankan Airlines.

Maithree Home has 19 resident children, aged between eight and 14 years. Each month, the orphanage receives in Government aid just 300 Sri Lankan rupees – about US$3 – per child – and so it relies on donations for any additional funds, supplies or support.

Australia’s Creative Holidays arranged for Qantas to fly the travel bags to Asia, from where SriLankan Airlines carried them on to Colombo for the children.

“SriLankan Cares is committed to making improvements to the lives of these children and other groups requiring help in the Sri Lankan community,” said Ian Robinson, Regional Manager Australia for SriLankan Airlines.

“A school being constructed by SriLankan Cares is due to open next month, after which we plan to renovate the toilets and kitchen at the Kalawana School, attended by these children,” said Mr Robinson. 

“The Disney bags may be a small gesture from members of the Australian travel industry – but they have already had a big impact on these children.”

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