Sri Lanka

Organization: Tsunami Hope Foundation, Ltd.
Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Project: Tsunami Hope Foundation Boarding School for Orphans
Website: www.tsunamihope.lk

Project Description
The Tsunami Hope Foundation Boarding School opened in Hendala, Sri Lanka on January 31, 2005. The school has already admitted nine children - two boys and seven girls – from areas as far away as Tissamaharama and Kalmunai. These children have lost one or both parents in the tsunami disaster. The school will take up to 50 students between the ages of 4-12 years old. Children will come from all parts of the island affected by the tsunami and from all ethnic and religious backgrounds.

Inauguration of the Tsunami Hope Foundation
Patrons of the Tsunami Hope Foundation Deshamanya Dr Lalith Kotelawala, Chairman Ceylinco Consolidated and Madam Sicille Kotelawala, Deputy Chairperson along with Miss Tabitha FitzHerbert inaugurated The Tsunami Hope Foundation – Boarding School on Monday 31 st January 2005 at 4 pm in the presence of distinguished invitees.

Nine little children – two boys and seven girls from areas as far away as Tissamaharama and Kalmunai were admitted by their Guardians on Friday 28 th January 2005. These children were the victims of the recent Tsunami tidal waves which struck the coastal belt of Sri Lanka on 26 th December 2004.

Deshamanya Dr Lalith Kotelawala and Madam Sicille Kotelawala in their address to the distinguished invitees stated that it had been a dream they shared and nurtured over the years to have such a home for children. This dream has now become a reality.They both stated that these children along with other little children to be admitted in the weeks and months ahead, will be provided with all the needs a child requires – food, clothes, education and above all Love and Security in the hope that these little ones will one day become great citizens – Sons and Daughters of Mother Lanka.

The Tsunami Hope Foundation is located in La Serena, which is nestled in the tranquil and beautiful surroundings of Uswetekeiyawa, a few kilometres from Wattala in Sri Lanka. It will be run with sponsorship from well wishers from both Sri Lanka and overseas.

Since the inauguration of the Boarding School of the Tsunami Hope Foundation almost three months ago, there have been vast improvements in all avenues concerning the well being and improvement of the children.

The nurses and other staff not only pay close attention to the children's education, but also continuously monitor their social and psychological development. It is indeed heartening to see that the children have settled down so well and to see the huge improvement in their social skills and behavioural patterns. They are taught English at the Ceylinco Sussex International School , the school they attend - and in addition to their mother tongue, have picked up a third language ie either Sinhala or Tamil through interaction with each other.

The children have ready access to their guardians by way of telephone and visitations. During the Sinhala Hindu New Year holidays all of the children returned to their villages but were happy to return once the holidays were over.

AVURUDU CELEBRATIONS

An Avurudu (New Year) Celebration with a difference was held on the 8th of April, 2005 at the premises of the Ceylinco Sussex International School in Kadawatha , Sri Lanka . The students of the school, hand-in-hand with the children of the boarding school of the Tsunami Hope Foundation, staged a special concert for the Sinhala Hindu New Year. Avurudu games such as bun eating race, picking up toffees, sack race, lime and spoon race as well as the selection of the traditional Avurudu Kumari (New Year Princess) was also part of the fun events held at the grounds. The enthusiasm of the children of the boarding school of the Tsunami Hope Foundation was indeed great. They excelled in many of the events and competitions, the results of which are:

Avurudu Kumari : Kunnarajah Pavithra

Bun Eating Race : Meharajah Usha

Picking up Toffees : Gunarasa Kavithra

Sack Race : Iskandar Arushanath

Lime & Spoon Race : Meharajah Daksha