POM - Peace of Mind (Melbourne)

100% of our profits are used in support of community projects including education, training and welfare projects in Sri Lanka, Sunrise Cambodia and Backtrack in Armidale NSW.

We established POM to raise funds for community and educational projects in Sri Lanka - initially at Bosco Sevana and later, through Tenzin Lekdron, with women at a Women’s Centre. It has been deeply rewarding to build direct connections with those involved in these organisations and to send funds raised straight to them. We have also supported projects closer to home and abroad, including BackTrack in NSW and Sunrise in Cambodia.

POM is about both fundraising and fostering a sense of community connection and purpose. Over the years, this has taken many forms: POM yoga classes; the sale of Sue’s beautiful cards; home-made produce such as biscuits, tomato sauce, and jam; and “crafternoons” where we make our POM teddies, aprons, mouse slippers, eye pillows, and washcloths.

POM – Peace of Mind is a small fundraising cottage industry that began in 2013 following a family trip to Sri Lanka. During that trip, our family had the opportunity to work at Bosco Sevana—a home where adolescent boys are cared for, housed, and educated. We developed a meaningful relationship with the centre and, on returning home, wanted to continue supporting their work.

We are especially grateful to Donna and Bec, our dedicated teddy team; to Hilary and Kate, our embroiderers; and to the many washcloth knitters from Rushall, who knitted up a storm during COVID. We also thank all our volunteers and appreciate the support of The Fruit Nest in Malvern for helping sell our products.

Over the years, POM has contributed to funding school desks, a photocopier, school supplies, clothing, and food for Father Pinto’s projects in Sri Lanka. Through Tenzin Lekdron, we have also supported the education and training of disadvantaged women. We continue to support Father Pinto, formerly of Bosco Sevana, as he establishes a school and supports his new community in the tea district of Sri Lanka.

These days, POM is a smaller, more intimate operation, though it was never large. We continue to raise funds through the sale of our handmade products, now primarily within a circle of family and friends. We no longer maintain a POM website or shop.

We will continue to share newsletters here to keep you updated on POM activities. If you would like to purchase teddies, cards, eye pillows, or washcloths, please be in touch via our CONTACT page and I will get back to you with current availability.