NEW HORIZONS IN BEAUTIFUL SRI LANKA
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ullaitivu, in North-East Sri Lanka, is a region of compelling stories and extremes. It is heart-stoppingly beautiful: tranquil bays,
tropical jungles, vivid skies and wildlife in abundance - monkeys, dolphins, elephants, leopards and a richly blessed with birds and aquatic life. Identified as the second poorest region of Sri Lanka by the World Bank, the people there have walked through terrible tragedy in the last 20 years. The town was captured in the Sri Lankan Civil War, and in 2004 the Boxing Day Tsunami took a devastating toll on the people and land in every way. Recovery and rebuilding can take generations after events like this. Supporting children is vital, as well as right. Children lose the most if adults cannot protect them, and they go on to shape the future. Local lead partner, International Needs Sri Lanka, sees this very clearly, and has worked hard in recent years to support disadvantaged children and their families in some very marginalised communities. Your generosity has enabled International Needs Sri Lanka to support more than 600 families in breaking the cycle of poverty by providing 80 ChildLink-sponsored children with access to education. They also created a special English Learning Program, giving these children— and others in the community—the opportunity to learn English from an early age. Wijayaraja, a 30-year-old teacher from Mullaitivu, teaches the children English, equipping them with a skill they will benefit from for the rest of their lives. "My passion for teaching English online to the children in my village grew from a deep concern for their lack of proficiency— some didn’t even know the alphabet. “My class started with just 10 students.
“MY CLASS STARTED WITH JUST 10 STUDENTS. IT GRADUALLY EXPANDED TO 45 AS WORD SPREAD.”
“It gradually expanded to 45 as word spread.” These children, sponsored through INA’s ChildLink Program, have been able to access a safe space where they not only receive a formal education but also engage with their peers and play. The program extends beyond formal education, offering online classes that are broadcast in community halls built through the project, reaching even more children. “Even preschoolers attend my classes now! They can’t even read or write, but their comprehension and vocabulary have grown through the lessons and educational television programs. “I followed a structured curriculum, and it was incredibly rewarding to see the students' progress. In their first exam, all of them scored over 40%, and in later exams, they reached 60% and then 90%. It fills me with joy.
“I am deeply grateful to International Needs Sri Lanka for initiating these classes in our village. When I requested support, they even provided nutritious meals for my students, ensuring they were healthy and energetic. “Hearing parents share how their children now identify objects in English makes me proud, proving the profound impact of these lessons. “My heartfelt thanks go to INA and their donors for their unwavering support."
To find out more about supporting children in Sri Lanka visit, ina.org.au
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