Two CANDLEAID Projects in Lanka

I. LIBRARY PROJECT: Pethalai Vipulanandam Maha Vidyalayam is situated in Kalkudah in the district of Batticaloa in the eastern province of Sri Lanka. This school has been in existence since 1945. During the years of the ethnic war, the school suffered a fair amount of damage as it is situated in the conflict zone. Though some repairs have already been carried out, there is still work to be done to restore the school to its original status. Currently there are 837 students and 36 teachers. The school caters to students from Grades 4 to 13. In response to a request made by the School, CandleAid donated books to open a library facility for the students. The books were selected in consultation with the school authorities. The name board (please see below) for the library and stickers for the books amounted to Rs. 3,005. The total cost of the library amounted to Rs. 72,008.

The total cost of this library was funded by a donation received from Australia Sri Lanka Association (ASLA).

II. BOOK DISTRIBUTION PROJECT: Every year in November/December CandleAid Lanka distributes school books and stationery to school going children of poor families. Such children are selected through CandleAid coordinators in different parts of the island. In preparation for the new academic year in January each year, parents struggle to provide the school needs of their children. This project fulfils the children’s needs while easing the burden of parents who often find it difficult to place a square meal on the table for their children.

A sum of LKR 65,864 being the balance of a donation received from the Australia Sri Lanka Association of Adelaide, Australia was utilised to donate books to children in three different locations, namely Mathugama, Pandura and Tangalle. Details are given below.

 1. Under the patronage of Mr. Sunil Ariyasena, Assistant Zonal Director of Education, books were given to 100 Students from low income families on 21st November 2012 in the following schools.  Yattapatha Junior School, Mathugama; Aluthgamgoda Junior School, Mathugama; Dharmaraja Junior School, Mathugama

 The third distribution was carried out at the Eksath Praja Sanwardena Samitiya in Walana, Panadura (community centre) on the 30 th of December 2012 under the patronage of Rev. Gorakapola Vidyaraja Pariwenadipathi Vijithasena. 52 students from very low income families in the area received books.