Tuesday 2 May 2006
From: Claire de Boursac
Received by: Email.
Ekamutu Pre-School This project provides a new building for the local Welfare Society in tsunami affected Devinuwara. The building will be used as a pre-school, for cultural classes, support group meetings and society gatherings. Ekamutu Welfare Society was established over a decade ago to support the local community. Its members are all low-income earners, the majority being small fishermen. By paying a small amount to the Society they are provided with services such as pre-school classes for the children, support groups and a successful programme for unemployed youths. Since the tsunami the pre-school, classes and other activities of the Society have experienced an increased demand and have been taking place in a tent donated by an aid agency. Over a year on the tent no longer provides the protection from the elements which it used to and some of the parents are scared to send their children to classes there. With a team of local masons and with support from the Ekamutu members the old tent and thin cement floor were quickly removed. Once the foundations were marked out the workers quickly dug the holes and everyone was excited to see the shape of the building to come. Over the past two weeks the team have worked hard to complete the foundations and started on the brickwork. During the Sinhalese New Year it is common for people to take a week or more holiday. However, the team are so keen to complete this building so that the children can start to enjoy the lessons in the new hall that they happily worked all through the holiday. A small delay was caused by the fact that workers at the builders yards were not as dedicated! |