Building a library for orphans in Sri Lanka

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Index of Updates from the Field

Shanti Bhavan Update from Father Paul

By Liz Berry - Program Director, July 18, 2007 05:54 PM

Global Education Fund continues to work in the war-torn region of Eastern Sri Lanka to improve the education of orphans and vulnerable children who have been severely impacted by decades of civil war, the tsunami of December 2004 and the ongoing challenges of poverty.
Our partner in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka is Father Paul Satkunanayagam, a humanitarian leader who has worked with orphans and war-traumatized children for decades. Global Education Fund is helping Father Paul to realize his dream of building a library to serve children living in his care in six orphanage homes. The library is located at one of these homes, known as Shanti Bhavan.
In addition to stocking the Shanti Bhavan library with English and local language books, funds are needed for teachers to assist the children with their English language skills. English is required for school classes, university entrance exams and is considered critical for employment prospects.
Below is a progress report form Father Paul about the current situation in Batticaloa and his need for funding for English teachers:
“I appreciate very much the efforts that you are making, in order to support our children, so that they can learn English well. The policy of the government is to teach English to all students. But the appropriate teachers are not available, and the facilities to teach a second language to students who know only Tamil, is not effective by the Teachers. How to teach English is a big problem.
Our Library building is half complete. It needs to be completed, and very attractive library equipment, like a T.V. and learning materials for English must be equipped. I like to build a good library so that all the girls can come to it with enthusiasm, in order to learn.
Because of the war, many people were displaced. Many children were not able to attend school. I have taken about 20 displaced children. English must be taught to them. We are emphasizing the learning of English, and looking for good teachers to teach.
The present situation, because of the conflict, is very confusing. But the children are very eager to learn. The education policy of the country is to teach all subjects in English. But the program is not moving forward, because of lack of good English libraries, books, teaching materials, and good and enough English teachers. We need to have sustainable English learning programs. Sustainability, continuity and long term programs are necessary. On the one hand they want children to learn English, and on the other hand, they do not have proper programs for English learning. This is how I see this whole problem.

I earnestly appeal to you, to help us train good English teachers, and to help us motive children to learn English in very creative ways. Thank you very much for your big support. We appreciate all that you do for us. The children love the books that you send to us. They thank you very much for your love and concern.”

update

By Liz Berry - Program Director, February 15, 2007 05:44 PM

We recently received an update from Father Paul Satkunanayagam S.J.: “The situation in is rather depressing. The war is in full swing, and we do not know what will happen . . . There are so many children, displaced, living in the camps, and their education is very badly affected. I have taken 20 children into our homes. I have more children now, after the war displacement . . . The children and I appreciate very much your hard work. I do hope that we will be able to develop the Library, so that the children can enjoy reading books.” Please consider supporting this worthwhile project.