Bales Worldwide are involved in an initiative for the developments of pre-schools in the Hambantota region of Sri Lanka, which was effected by the Tsunami.
Since 2007 Bales Worldwide has the Tsunami Schools appeal has launched 2 new pre-school projects, each headed by 2 teachers. With the assistance of the local parents and neighbours the 2 pre-schools are now thriving.
Although the schools are doing well, and we are overjoyed with the result, there is still a long way to go in making these schools as safe and as efficient as possible.
Arunodaya Pre-School
Headed by head teacher Ms. Manel and teacher Gayani, this building was originally in need of water, electricity, tables and chairs.
Currently this school has 35 children attending. This is the average number of student attending, but unfortunalty the small school is not able to take on any more students as there is a lack of facilities and resources for any more children.
Despite this the school is giving these young children the opportunity to learn several languages, arts, crafts, and it is also giving them the opportunity to play in the well-equipped play ground. The school now has running waters, and is awaiting the finalised arrangements from the Electricity board, so they can soon have electricity.
This school was facilitated by a patron of Bales Worldwide. Once the electricity is installed the classroom will have 8 lights and the kitchen and the sick room will also be lit up. Next on the schools list is to get wooden furniture for its students.
Currently the schools furniture is made up of a mixture of wood and plastic. For health and safety reasons, the school wants all wooden furniture, as the plastic furniture often slips on the floor resulting in some uncomfortable spills.
Suchiratha Sri Vijayabodhi Monterssori School
Lead by 2 young teachers, this school is based within the premises of a village temple.
On average this school teaches around 27 children, and as before cannot take on much more due to the lack of facilities. Here the children will study for 2 years before moving on to primary school level, where they will join the local state schools.
This school is situated close to an electricity pylon, which means the school is able to have access to electricity. However despite the advantage of being close to an electricity pylon, it also makes the play ground a dangerous place to be. Currently there is fencing around the perimeter, although this is not sufficient to prevent electric shock if the pylon was unstable. A quote is being prepared for this work.
The school does not have access to running water. The children and the parents bring their own water from the local source (approximately 1km away). To help solve this problem a water container (500 litre) is being installed that should keep the student watered for several days at a time.
Bales Worldwide are honoured to be a part of a project that benefits so many children. As this is just a regular update, we hope that soon (with our help) these schools will be a safe environment for the children to learn in.
About Tessa Biddulph
Other articles by Tessa Biddulph
Tessa Biddulph works in the marketing department and is new to Bales Worldwide. She is spending a year at Bales Worldwide before heading back to university to complete a PR degree. Tessa’s favourite destination she has travelled to is Sydney, Australia, but since working at Bales she has already drawn up a long list of places she’d like to visit (number 1 being Machu Picchu, in Peru). 