Small Acts of Kindness in Sri Lanka
Background
Sri Lanka is a country of great contrasts; a tropical paradise ravaged by the forces of nature. A land full of rich history, friendly people and natural beauty traumatized by civil war and with areas of great poverty.
The civil war ended 11 years ago but there are now large areas of the country particularly where the Tamil population lives where there is great poverty. Many families have lost loved ones and homes in the conflict or when the tsunami hit the coastline.
There has been much done. There is still so much more needed.
The Inspire Sri Lanka Programme
In February 2023, we ran two facilitator programmes and two Inspire: Sport & Leadership programmes. It was an opportunity to build on the work we did before and re-ignite the Lead to Lead project after Covid. Then, in December 2023, we repeated the process. We ran facilitation programmes in Batticaloa and then in Trinconmalee. We then visited a total of 6 schools to introduce them to the programme. As well as the Lead to Lead project we are now setting up a new coaching team in Trinconmalee.
In 2019, we visited Batticaloa and Udapussalawa in February. The group of facilitators have now formed themselves into Lead to Lead, a group dedicated to developing leadership and life skills in the next generation of young Sri Lankans.
On this trip, we began by running a workshop for 80 of the children at the school we help to maintain at Vellaveli. Then, we ran Inspire programmes at St Johns before heading up to the tea plantations at Udapussalawa where the team ran sessions for a local school and a small pre-school. The Lead to Lead team gave a great experience to a total of 250 children the 10 days.
Even better, the team is now regularly visiting the projects and continuing the work.
In 2020, we visited Batticaloa and Udapussallawa again. This time, we worked alongside the staff of the Foundation of Goodness charity to run a sports programme for 70 children. In Udapussallawa we ran two programmes (one day and two day) for two groups of 40 children. We also ran a leadership workshop for some community members and recruited some new potential facilitators.
We returned to UK just before the England cricket team and just before the airports started closing down with the Corona virus.
SOS Village, Pilliyandala - Our First Experience
SOS Village, Piliyandala.
In 2010, a small team from the Matfield Green cricket club visited the SOS Village in Piliyandala. We spent a week introducing the boys to rugby, coaching football, helping with English lessons and playing plenty of cricket.
SOS Villages is an incredible, global organisation providing homes and a wonderful education for thousands of children around the world.
In 2010, a small team from the Matfield Green cricket club visited the SOS Village in Piliyandala. We spent a week introducing the boys to rugby, coaching football, helping with English lessons and playing plenty of cricket.
SOS Villages is an incredible, global organisation providing homes and a wonderful education for thousands of children around the world.
St Andrews (Peryianeelavanai) and St Johns (Batticaloa)
On our travels in Sri Lanka in 2011, we stayed at and worked at two orphanages run by The Church of the American Ceylon Mission. Although none of our party were practising Christians, we were warmly welcomed and found that the majority of children in the centres were brought up as Hindus.
The orphanages struggle for funding and places available are dropping. We also visited some of the more remote villages in the region and saw the tremendous need for more help in these areas. Education is limited and of a low standard so children here are at a disadvantage when competing for work or places in higher education. Those born here have little hope of breaking out of the poverty trap.
Vellaveli Village School
In 2012, we helped build and then staff a pre-school and after-school building in a small village in Vellaveli near Batticaloa. Now, a year later, the school caters for over 150 children - from the original village and surrounding villages! We will have to start thinking about the next school in the next village.
What We Can Do
Building Projects. There is potential to help in the construction of facilities that will enhance the education of children in the areas most damaged by the civil war and natural disasters. Helping to create and sustain this infrastructure is an exciting venture.
The Curriculum. With the expertise that we can call on in the teaching profession and in leadership and management development, we can provide assistance in both the design and delivery of a broad curriculum covering academic and life skill.
Teacher Training. Again, we can support the development of teachers within the community through funding but also through direct contact with the potential teachers.
Teacher Support. There are many opportunities to provide support to the teachers; through English teaching and conversations, through playing with the children and coaching different sports.
Womens' Groups. Working alongside the women - offering support and letting them know that they are not forgotten. Helping to fund small agricultural and business projects can make a big difference to their lives.
Who Can Help?
We are looking for people of any age who have the enthusiasm and energy to work with us on this and other projects. It is not a holiday – although we recommend taking time to enjoy the culture and countryside while you are there – and you need to be prepared to live and work in very basic conditions. You will be able to help support the overall education of the children in the areas listed above and pay for your own travel and living expenses.
People with a particular talent or skill – in teaching, in sport, in the arts or crafts, in business – will be greatly appreciated .
