At Last ! A Library for a small village school!

I am very excited that a project that I have been trying to raise for four years is finally taking shape - after I had despaired of it ever doing so. Basically, I had given up hope and was thinking of an alternative one when, unknown to me, family members and their friends picked up the ball and set it rolling. It's not like me to give up, so, again, I learn another lesson. Have MORE patience when things seem to be not working out!

The project that excites me? Our village school in Sri Lanka is getting a LIBRARY! This small school, minus basic teaching and learning aids, almost on top of a huge granite mountain that is able to be identified from above as you fly into the country has ,over the many. many decades, produced fine students who have gone on to become engineers, scientists, lawyers, bankers, government officers, dentists and doctors as well as teachers . . . . It is some of these people and their friends who, now that their own children have been educated, are able to donate money and materials to build the current and future students their first library. Fantastic!

Village School

The money that I had collected to build a smaller library can now be used to provide books for the students to enjoy. Most of this money has been donated by the student group, Green Justice, of a Brisbane College. Once again, the young people of today have shown that they are not the self centered youth that they are often painted. My previous comments stand verified. Other donations have come from friends in my Zonta Club.

I have just heard that the list of books the school would like to have has been made and the books ordered. They will be ready for me to collect and pay for on my arrival in Sri Lanka. I will also be taking as many English books such as non fiction and easy reading storybooks as I can carry. I am also collecting portable dvd players and dvds so that the students can hear English and enjoy that literary communication experience. I am also hopeful of obtaining some science and IT textbooks, still in good condition but maybe an edition earlier than current, for the Senior students. They have almost nothing so . . whatever I can get will be valued.

I hope to persuade the airline to come to my party with some free baggage allowance !

The reason I embarked on this project was that the Staff of this school impressed me with their CAN and WILL DO  attitude by developing a plan to increase student successes in the national exams as well as working to decrease absenteeism of the girls who were often kept home from school to perform household chores and babysit younger siblings or their elder sister's children. The parents, too, have worked together to build a better playground and outdoor seating area for their children. I believe that some of them are providing their labour to build the library.

Bridge across We Oya to the village

Road through village on the way up to the school

The village is in a beautiful part of Sri Lanka

Some of the Books bought for Dombepola School library . . .

. . . and some more.

You can follow this unfolding story on facebook, too. The page is Olu Ella Inn.