Aid Sri Lanka Foundation

Latest News

Saturday 15 April 2006

From: Claire de Boursac

Received by: Email.

Thal Aramba Pre-School: End of a Project and Start of a New Year

Aid Sri Lanka is overseeing the construction of a pre-school in Thal Aramba, Matara. This project is being funded by Travel Aid 50 and PATA.

With the building work completed, the playground finished and the school fully equipped, the end of the Thal Aramaba school project was marked with the Singhalese New Year celebrations.

While the construction work was completed in December and the children have been enjoying their lessons in the large airy hall since the new school year started in January, there have been small on-going works to perfect the facilities.

Using money raised by children at a Montessori School in Richmond, UK, a new play area was provided. The children themselves chose which items they wanted to have. They were keen to have some play items but with the majority of their outdoor playtime being spent on running and ball games it was important to leave enough space for these activities. The children love to take turns on the roundabout, seesaw and climbing arch, all made to measure for their size using the skills of the local welder.

In addition to the play items the donation from the school financed a mural on the playground wall. A local artist provided three sample scenes of which the children chose the jungle theme. The mural gives the play area added colour and the children love it. They enjoy spotting and naming the different animals in the scene and can already name them in English too.

As much of the time the children spend outside is focused on running and group ball games, extra balls and other play items were also provided. Other toys were provided for playing inside on rainy days, a particular favourite being the brightly coloured building blocks.

For many of the children this is the first New Year they have actively participated in, being too young previously. The teachers performed many of the rituals and explained the purpose and symbolism behind each. There were squeals of delight as the pot of milk rice overflowed, symbolizing prosperity and abundance for the coming year. After enjoying a feast of traditional sweet meats and fruit the children worked off their excitement with a variety of races and games.

The completed school really is a fantastic place for these children to learn and play. The Weligama Education Department Director recently visited and Miss Anoma proudly reported that they said it was the “number one pre-school in the area, really very excellent”.

Back...

Enjoying the See Saw

Enjoying the See Saw

Musical chairs in the inside play area

Musical chairs in the inside play area

New roundabout

New roundabout

New Year feast

New Year feast

Perfect for climbing

Perfect for climbing

Winner!

Winner!

Yummy milk rice!

Yummy milk rice!

Please click the above images to view them in full size.