From the past until today (seen through the eyes of Andrea Launhardt)
Year 2004
Summer 2004
That's how everything started
Who doesn't know these thoughts that are crossing your mind shortly before you finish your studies at university... I also thought a lot: What shall I do after my studies? What can I do with my life? My intention was to work in the development cooperation in Asia. And so I started to look for an adequate project - and decided to join in a three-month turtle project in Sri Lanka. In November 2004, I finally departed to Sri Lanka.
I really enjoyed this time back then. Everything was so peaceful - until the day when, within a few minutes, the lives of all Sri Lankans changed: That was December, 26th 2004.
November 2004
Sri Lanka: the Turtle Project
To meet a different country and a foreign culture is like being a child again. You can discover and explore so many things. Which was most fascinating to me was working with the turtles - giants from primitive times, but still alive. In the project I had joined in, volunteers were mainly collecting data on the beach, e.g. about the number of eggs and the size of the turtles; we informed tourists about our work and gave English lessons in a temple nearby. The time on the beach was also used for getting in contact with the local staff and for learning first words of Singhalese.
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December 2004
The flood and the help
The Tsunami had marked the life of everybody by its disastrous dimension. Everybody made different experiences during this time - some survived, but lost everything they had. You can hardly put into words what happened on this day. The people who witnessed it will never forget it. And I also witnessed this catastrophic event.
Still it is very important that life goes on after such a catastrophe. We worked together and helped each other. There was an ambiance of unbelievable helpfulness and solidarity - between the locals as well as between the foreigners from all oer the world. For me, there was no doubt about staying in the country and helping these people.
With the donations from my family, friends and neigbours, me and my friends in Sri Lanka could help locally and thereby assist people with starting again. We cooked for refugees, distributed clothes, backpacks and exercise books to school children, helped to remodel a school and reorganise its water supply; we gave tools, sewing machines, rope machines and other commodities to affected families, we repared a fishing boat and drilled a spring for drinking water.
Sincere thanks to everybody who helped - this enabled many people to get back to life after the Tsunami.
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Year 2005
August 2005
The foundation of the Nature Conservation Society (NCS)
The decisive impact for the foundation of our society was the plan of the German enterprise Gazprom Germania GmbH (formerly ZGG GmbH) to rebuild a school in Sri Lanka after the tsunami. In order to carry out such a project they needed a contact person in Sri Lanka.
Because it was almost impossible to cooperate with the aid plans of the Sri Lankan government, the plan changed from rebuilding a public school to building an education centre. A centre for the education of children from families which were affected by the tsunami, in order to give to those disadvantaged groups a better chance.
For the implementation of this plan, a nonprofit society had to be founded. So the Nature Conservation Society was officially registered in Sri Lanka as an organisation. Here you can find further information about the Nature Conservation Society.
December 2005
Buying the building land in Aluthgama
In the end of 2005, the Nature Conservation Society could already buy the land the EDC should be build on (signing of the contract - see picture below). Since there was still a jungle, the land had to be cleaned from gras, bushes and trees. In the beginning of 2006, the construction works started.
January 2006
Building the Education Development Centre
In early 2006, after cleaning the land and building a temporary hut, first construction works on the education centre could start. Thanks to the hard working building labours, the ground floor of the building - the office and the class rooms - were almost finished by the mid of May.
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May 2006
Opening of the Education Centre, May, 27th 2006
The Education Centre was ceremonially inaugurated by Mr. A. Böldt, representative of the sponsor Gazprom Germania in Berlin, Germany. Other guests were Mrs. Böldt and Mr. Piyal, Lord Mayor of Beruwala (Beruwala Pradeshiya Shbawa), as well as the first pupils' families and friends.
Chandralal Premakumara M.G., president of the Nature Conservation Society, welcomed the guests and thanked the sponsor for enabling this unique institute. Mr. Böldt put in his speech emphasis on what this building stands for - a lasting help for the tsunami-affected families and a better future for their children.
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June 2006
Starting the Nature Volunteers Programme
As a part of the educational programme of the Nature Conservation Society, a volunteering project should be formed which should mainly support the education of the children. Shortly after the opening of the EDC, the volunteering programme was launched and officially registered as the Nature Volunteers Association.
The first semester
In June, only a short time after the official opening of the EDC, the first course in English and computer skills started. With new equipment, new teaching materials and new teachers, it was a test for everybody. 71 children were enrolled for this first six-month class.
The children were taught once per week theoretically and twice per week for one hour respectivily "hands-on" at the computer desk. They learned how to handle all programmes of MS Office.
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December, 30th 2006: At the end of the first semester the students had to pass a final exam in order to show their theoretical and practical knowledge. All students that passed that test received a certificate with the markings.
The certificate was handed over in a small ceremony which was organised by the children themselves - with dances, songs and small theater plays. We welcomed some guests from the Pradeshiya Shbawa, Mr. Piyal (Lord Mayor), a monk of the temple nearby and members of the organisation "Turtle Conservation Project" and of the UN Volunteers.
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February 2007
Start of the second semester
The second class started after a short break with a group of about 60 children. Considering the experiences with the first group, some modifications were made, e.g. simple tests were established after every teaching unit and the teaching of how to type on the computer was intensified. But the basic concept had proven its quality and was not changed.
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April 2007
First construction works on the first floor
After a break due to a financial shortage, the long-planned construction of the first floor could start. This level should inlude a spacious living area, especially for the volunteers.
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September 2007
Beginning of the third course
At the end of September, the third course started. This time, almost 100 pupils had enrolled and about 80 children and teenagers finally started. The students - aged between 11 and 21 years - were divided into three groups, depending on their age, in order to receive an optimal education.
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October 2007
Handing over the computer certificates
After the final exams, the certificates were handed over to the students of the second course in a ceremony.
The ceremony was opened by the conductor of the EDC and president of the Nature Conservation Society (NCS), Mr. Chandralal Premakumara M.G. Then the certificates were handed over by several representatives of the city (e.g. the mayor), of the education sector (the secretary of the minister of education in the Western Province), of a Buddhist temple in Aluthgama, of the local Lions' Club and of the NCS. The breaks were filled by dances, singing, theater plays and speeches that they children had studied all on their own.
At the end of the ceremony, the teacher for English and computer skills, Mr. Buddika Jayasinghe, thanked the children and their parents, the guests and above all the personnel and the sponsors for enabling this programm.
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November 2007
Organising the "Free Health Camp"
At the end of November, a day of free health care, called "Free Health Camp", was organised in cooperation with the "One World Foundation" (owf) and the "Turtle Conservation Project" (TCP) in Kosgoda (about 10 km south of Aluthgama). A medical team with doctors, nurses, diagnostic equipment and all relevant pharmaceuticals was ordered. The range of examinations was broad - from tests of blood, urine, blood pressure and blood sugar to cardiograms or surgical dressing.
Many people were already waitig for a free medical treatment when the doctors arrived. At the end of the day, about 550 locals were examined and medicated.
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December 2007
The first floor of the EDC is finished
In April 2007, the construction of the upper level of the EDC had started - the living area with a kitchen, dining room, bathroom and sleeping rooms for the staff, volunteers and guests. Due to long rain periods, the construction had to be interrupted several times and could not be finished before the end of December.
The equipping of the rooms was carried out during the following weeks, so our visitors and volunteers will be welcomed by a warm and comforting ambiance.
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Year 2008
March 2008
Handing over the computer certificates
Once again, six months have passed, the computer course is over, the final exams are written - and another 65 of our students have passed the tests.
In March, the handing over of the certificates was celebrated in the town hall of Aluthgama. 400 students and former students came and their families came - as well as many guests of honour: Mr. Piyal (left picture), the mayor of Beruwala; Kathrin Messner, Joseph Ortner and Michael of the "One World Foundation" in Ahungalle; Mr. K.B. Fernando of the "Bentota River Waste Management Society", directors and managers of the Blue Saphire Hotel and a monk of the old temple nearby.
The programme was, once again, very manifold - different dances and songs, a play, speeches, presentations, etc. were performed by the students with the help of our teachers. In-between the performances, the certificates and small gifts for the best students in each group were handed over.
Our special thanks go to Mr. Piyal for the free usage of the town hall and to Gazprom and Samagi Traders for the gifts which were given to the best students.
The new course will probably start at the end of March. So far, 130 registrations were counted - more than ever.
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A new semester started in April 2008 After celebrating the beginning of a new year, new challenges are waiting for us: There are 120 registrations for the new semester, divided into three computer classes and three English classes. Computer skills will be taught in theoretical lessons and practical trainings. English students will participate in a beginners class, a medium level or a advanced level class, depending on their experience. Date: 04/24/2008 |
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A new volunteer since June 2008 After a short break during the winter or, more precisely, during the monsoon, a new volunteer from Germany will support our activities for three months. As a Nature Volunteer, Daniela will improve the website and optimise the online-marketing and fundraising. We are als really looking forward to the additional classes which will be held by our new volunteer in our Education Center. Date: 06/06/2008 |
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Campaign: Collecting waste on the beach - June, 29th 2008 With more than 50 children, the team of the NCS went to the beach of Aluthgama and collected and disposed the waste that had been washed ashore during rain season. Thanks to the Lord Mayor of Aluthgama Mr. Piyal, the waste could be removed from the costal area. Date: 06/30/2008
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This campaign was not only planned in order to revive the beauty of the landscape and help the nature in Sri Lanka, but also to strengthen the ecological awareness of our students, which can now instruct their families how to take care of the environment. 
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Boat-Excursion with the English class - August, 18th 2008 Our English teacher Mr. Benny Fernando changed for one day the lecture room to the outside and went with his hard working students to a boat excorsion on the Bentota river. Accompanied by our Computer teacher Mr. Buddhika and our volunteer Daniela. On their way they learned about the biodiversity of the river system with his mangrove forest, flora, fauna and observed the colourful bird diversity. But the group traveled not only with the boat they also went to a buddhist temple on a small island along the river. All together a very special day for the students and a good motivation. Date: 18/08/2008
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The grammar school "Jahngymnasium" in Rathenow supported the EDC A very great surprise was brought by the grammar school " Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahngymnasium" in Rathenow, Germany in August this year. The students worked on their project day a whole day in different companies. Their earned salary their donate to our educational project - all togehter more than 3000€. With this financal suppot we can continue our work at least for 6 month, pay our local teacher, buy necessary computer equipment, make repairings and help the children directly. A good initiative from the students in Rathenow, Germany for the students in Aluthgama, Sri Lanka. Many thanks to all participants and active helper of the school on behalf of our staff and especially our students! Date: 28/08/2008 |
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| A new volunteer in September 2008 Just after the leaving of our Daniela we got a new helper in September - from our Kay. She will stay some shorter but will also help us very actively, especially with the work on our homepage, reports and brochures. As journalist she is a real specialist for this. Here you can read more about our volunteering programme. Date: 06/09/2008 | |
Final exams in October : Computer and English Finished! The current exam was finished end of September/ beginning of October - the final exams were just writen. All together about 90 students in computer and 50 students in English participate the examinations. Which means: our aim of 50 students per semester who could complete the courses is more than achieved. These numbers and also the highly request of the courses mirrors the good teaching methods from our teachers. Thanks to all helping hands and support of our donors and sponsors. Date: 05/10/2008 | |
New participants: Introduction and registration - October 19th A new start. This is the 5th semester already, which will start soon. On Sunday the 19th of October nearly 70 new participants came to the introdution and registration. From our experience there will come some more delated students the next days. End of the next week the new courses will start already. New course: Grafic-Design - this is an advanced computer course for former students which finished the normal computer class already successfully. In this course the students will learn how to design grafics of any kind like brochures, poster, etc. Knowledge of this techniques are highly requested and a start in the practical field and into a possible job. Date: 20/10/2008 | |
4th Certificate Awarding Ceremony, November 2nd 2008 The 4th semester could be finished very sucessful - the result: 79 computercertificates and 44 English certificates. The best result ever. Date: 27/12/2008 | |
On a visit in Germany in November-Dezember 2008 The first time after the bith ouf our daughter Aneesha we want to Germany to visit my family. We also used the time to meet some other people who might have some impact to our project e.g. Mrs. Diana Golze (picture), Mr. Seeger, etc. To thank the hard working students of the Jahngymnasium in Rathenow - who donated the money from their working day to our EDC - we show them a presentaion about our project and how we want to use the money. Date: 27/12/2008 | |
Building of a ' Nature Pioneer Group ' in November 2008 To work more effectiv and intensive in the area of environmental protection we found a group of interested young people and build the youth-environmental conservation group called 'Nature Pioneer Group in November 2008. First action of the group will be the replantation of mangroves on the beach of Aluthaga/Beruwala in December. Date: 27/12/2008 | |
New volunteer from England - from 30.11. till 6.12.2008 Just before the end of the year we've got for a short time a new volunteer from England - James. He was mainly working the the management area and talked with tourists in company with our Ziyard. Furthermore, he helped with teaching and to replant mangroves at the beach of Aluthgama/Berumwala. Thank you very much for the good team work and the fun. Date: 27/12/2008 | |
Campaign: Replanting of mangroves - December 4th 2008 The first action of our new build 'Nature Pioneer Group' was the replanting of about 100 mangroves (pandernes) on the beach of Aluthgama/Beruwala. Furthermore, they collected waste (mainly plastic and bottles) from the beach. Besides the help of our staff (Lal and Buddika) we had also support from our voluneer James from England. Thanks to all of you! Date: 27/12/2008 | |
We are shown on German TV ! - on December 26th 2008 You can see the documentation also online (in German language only) : „Vier Jahre nach dem Tsunami “ To watch the video you need the Real Player - download here for free. Date: 27/12/2008 | |
Free medical camp in Beruwala - December 28th 2008 On this day about 350 local people used the medical service and got also the drugs needed for free. Thanks for all supporters and helper. Date: 27/12/2008 | |
Year 2009
Paid courses for adults to finance the costs of the EDC We don't have enough financial support and sponsorships. Therefore, we decided to offer paid courses for adults - English, German and Russian - for employees in the tourist area (hotel staff, salesman, tour guides, etc.). The courses will last for 6 month, once in a week. In the courses the sudents can acquire basic knowledge in German and Russian and improve their English knowledge. If the courses are very well accepted, we will be able to continue the courses for the children from poor families still free of charge. Date: 30/01/2009 | |
New volunteer from Germany - from 28.03. till 25.04.2009 Now we've got a tall support from Germany - Iris. With patience and love she takes care of our littles, kids in the orphanage and our students in the education development centre. During the next days further challanges are waiting for Iris, who is very kind and have a lot of interests. Thats why the teamwork makes a lot of fun. Thank you. Date: 04/04/2009 | |
Campaign: Collecting waste on Beruwala beach - April, 8th 2009 Together with our two volunteers Maraike and Iris our teachers and the members of our Nature Pioneer group - students of the EDC - came in the morning time to the Beruwala beach to collect waste. Mr. Piyal, chairman of Beruwala Pradisabawa send a vehicle to transport the waste collected. After about 3 h the work was done und all the helper got a refreshment from us. After the waste collecting campaign on the beach we went to the EDC. There our teacher Buddhkia address the youth members of our nature pioneers themeaning and importance of this events and show them the big waste problem in Sri Lanka. It is essential that the children learn about the harm of the waste and how our waste collection campaign can save the wildlife and ocean life. Thnaks to all of you - especially our two volunteers Mareike und Iris from Germany. Date: 22/04/2009 |
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New Year cleaning at the EDC - April 11th 2009 Like everey year in April a part of our studens are coming to the EDC just a view days before the new year celebration (which is o 14th of April in Sri Lanka) to clean - the lecture and computer room as well as office and library. They clean the windows, remove the dust and wipe the floor - than we can start after the new year holidays in a clean and friendly education centre. In this year the children also prepared a small program with singing songs together and playing some games and a refreshment with cake and soft drinks for everyone. It was a very nice idea and we had a good time together. A big thanks to all the helping hands, the work of our teachers and the nice program for us. Date: 22/04/2009 | |
First 'Senior Volunteer' in Action - in April 2009 Originally he just came here on holiday and to visit his friend Sunil. He liked to walk around and after a few days got the volunteering bug and helped in the EDC with another volunteer Iris. Our Hajo, who is called Sudu Zija (white grandpa) from the locals, is very kind, charming and funny. From his experiences and wisdom we would learn a lot, which makes him to a special gain of our project. Thank you very much Hajo! We would like some more seniors, who help us active in Sri Lanka or Germany. Date: 22/04/2009 | |
2 new Computer for the EDC - April 2009 End of March we have got a big surprise from the members of the Sri Lanka Forum (www.forumromanum.de) - with a donation of 435€, which should be used to buy material or equipment for our educational project. So we did - first we tought about the teaching of the children and therefore computers are very important, as there are broken very fast through the tropical climate. From the donation we were able to buy two second hand computers with monitors, mouse and keyboard as well as computer table and chairs. Now we have 10 computers for the taining of the children. Furthermore, we had to add another electrical connection (wiring) with 4 new sockets and multi-plugs. A big thank you to alle members for our chance to go a little futher and help to develop a good and adequate education for the children in our eduaction centre. Date: 30/04/2009 |
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Sponsors wanted! We are a team of volunteers and trying to support local families which live under unfavorate conditions - with free computer and English courses for their children, to extent their chance to a better job and support for their families. Sponsors are very necessary for our work. As we are always looking for long term sponsors we know people who like to help often have a small financial backround to support our projects. But there are different possibilities e.g. with software, whci we might need (esp. anti virus programs) or books for our library. If you want to become a personal sponsor you might pay the monthly salary of our teachers (about 60€) or finance one of your projects for women our the environment. Please, contact us and we will send you more information. Date: 06/05/2009 |
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Support for the refugees in the north-east of Sri Lanka -1st Transport Some days before we have seen pictures in the tv, which lead us to the immediate decision to support them - the escape for more than 100.000 refugees for LTTE areas in the north -east of the country. Like ants people run through a small whole which the army blast into the wall to escape from captivity. The people could be rescued, but they live in refugee camps. Food, drinking water and medicine is rare. This was the sign for us to do something! Together with a part of the students of the EDC we start a first collection in our neighborhood - with two posters, a tuk tuk with loudspeaker system and a small lorry our teachers and some students went through the neighborhood for two days (Aluthgama, Beruwala, Darga Town) and asked the people to give some food items, drinking water or medicine for the refugees which we could send with a transport directly to the refugee area. We bring together: Rice Milkpowder Drinking water Cookies Sugar Coco nuts Other food (flour,lentils, etc.) Soap Washing powder Medicine (plaser,panadol,...) clothing about 100kg 4kg about 120L 30 packs about 10 kg 35 piece 3 full shopping bags 20 piece about 5 kg 2 shopping bags 2 full shopping bags Date: 08/05/2009 |
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"United Support for the Refugees" 2. Transport Support for the refugees” - was the motto of the second transport of the EDC - possible through financial support of members of the Sri Lanka Forum (SLF), Street Bob Forum, der Reisespinne, Sri Lanka Board, ZMB mobil and several privat sponsors (colleagues and frieds of the members and us). Today on 21st of May the items collected are going to Colombo. From there a transport is going on 22nd to the refugee areas - in cooperation with the TV channel ITN. In cooperation and advice from organisations which are actively woking in this areas we bought the following food items, sanitary article and medicine necessary for the refugees: Drinking water (1,5l) - 1008 bottles Rest of the money which we didn't spend and which is coming later we will use for a third transport. At the moment we will wait a little how the situation will change and how we can help best. Therefore´, we will try to keep the contact to the local organisations working there. Thank you very much - many donors and helper supporting our work. Date: 22/05/2009 |
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Final Exam in May 2009 - End of the 5th Semester With some delay, manly due to many holidays in December (X-mas, new year), April (sinh./tamil new year) and May (Vesak) the 5th semester could be finished with the final exam on May 30./31. In the computer course a writen test (theory part) and a practical test on the computer was part of the exam. Whereas the students in the English exam only faced a writen test. In this year for the first time we also run an exam (theory/practical) in the new course graphic design. All together 81 students came to the computer exam, 59 to English and 12 to graphic design. As result 60 (Computer), 44 (Englisch) and 12 (Grafikdesign) could finish the exam sucessfully. Students who fail the test will get another chance with the next run. Date: 31/05/2009 | |
Certificate Awarding Ceremony in June - "We are one nation" This Awarding Ceremoy on 6th of June was something very special - it was the first after the piece had been declared in Sri Lanka. For this reason we run the whole ceremony under the motto: We are one nation". A motto which is focused on the pieceful life together between the different etnical groups (sinhala, tamil, muslim, burger) in Sri Lanka. So all guest were welcomed by children in traditional cloth in all 4 typical languages: "Vanakam" (Tamil), "Ayubowan" (Sinhala), "Hello" (English) und "Asalama aleikum" (Arabic). As in our educational centre children of all ethnical groups are studying peacefully together. This time the ceremony was held in the conference hall of the area council in Beruwala. Besides special guests - the new chairman of Beruwala Pradishabawa Mr. Prassana Sanjeewa, Mr. Piyal, Mrs. Abewardhana, Mr. Benny Fernando, a monk from a temple closeby and four guests from Germany - about 350 family members of the present students came. The ceremony was maily announced in Sinhala, Tamil and partly also in English that all guests (mainly sinhalese and muslim) were able to follow the program. Like in all ceremonies before, the students prepared the show with dancing, singing and small speeches. As refreshment the family members got milk packets, cake and cookies - futhermore, sandwiches, banana and tea for the special guests. All together is was a great event for everyone.
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LOTUS international - A new society in Germany -established on June 21st 2009 After long time of preparation on 21th of June we established the new society named "LOTUS international" in Buschow, Germany. This event was shared by the founder members: Werner, Ilona, Nicole, Myrjam, Cathleen, Janin und Andrea (pictiure from left to right). As president of the society Ilona Launhardt (picture down) was elected by the members. LOTUS - has the motto: "Life without tears and sorrow" and is devoted to help children and elders as well as education and cultural exchange. But it is mainly made up to support our educational project in Sri Lanka (EDC). First steps have been done, but it will need some tima as we will be officalla registed. At the moment we are building a new homepage for the society, which soon can be visited under: www.lotus-international.org We've also got a first member already - Hajo from Hamburg, who is very helpful in his support for our society. Date: 06/07/2009 |
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Start of the 6th semester in July 2009 With only one week of preparation time we could start the new course - the 6th sememster already - at the EDC. Again with higher numbers of applicants. This time we've got 136 students for computer and 81 for the English course. Due to staff problems we can't continue the new course of Graphic Design. In this semester for the first time we can run extra classes in 'Spoken English', which will be held by our volunteers working at the EDC. It should maily help to overcome the shy and barriers of talking of the children. Date: 06/07/2009 | |
Ladies power from Germany and Switzerland - 2 volunteers in July 2009 Kati (left) and Nicole (right), are the names of the two new volunteers, which came from Germany and the Switzerland to work in the EDC. Their are maily helping in the social area, with teaching English of working at the nearby orphanage as well as in the environmental projects. We are very glad to have them here to share their fun and help - lot's of new ideas. Thanks for your comming and your support. Date: 12/07/2009 | |
New Beach Cleaning Program on July 26th in Beruwala Today we went out some early for a good reason - our 'Green Pioneer Team', some of the students and our volunteers Kati und Nicole came to the beach in Beruwala at about 7:30am to collect waste. Especially plastic items and brocken glass bottles went into the rubbish bags of the collectors. These things are not only uggly at the beach they can also be a risk for man and nature. This kind of action is not only important for the environment it is manly to build some awareness for the nature and change the attitude of the children towards a better waste behavior (not just throwing on the ground). At the end everyone got a small refreshment before they went home at lunchtime. Thanks to every helping hand and the organsier. Date: 28/07/2009 |
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Environmental education at the EDC - Picture presentation for our Nature Pioneers On August 2nd the teaching was not about computer or English, but environment and especially mammals at the EDC. Usually, once per week there are some small talks or events to develop the environmental awareness of our Green Pioneer Team. This time we arraged a picture presentation about mammals. After the talk the students could see the life of the mammals in a BBC report. To get a closer understanding for those animals and see how mammals are living in other parts of the world. All together a very intersing and informative event for the students. Date: 04/08/2009 |
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Support from the students of the Jahngymnasium in Rathenow for the students of the EDC As done in the last year, students of the Jahngymnasium in Rathenow went out on their project day to work for the support of the students of the EDC. All together more than 3000€ was the result from this hard working time. The donation will be used to continue the free education of our student which come from poor families. For this great event from the school Jahngymnasiums students of the EDC found a very special way to say 'thank you'. They designed a nice tahnk you poster for the students in Germany. As soon as the work will be finished it will send to Rathenow and arrive there just right in time when the school will start after summer holidays. With this poster our students want to say thank you for all the work and effort from the students, teachers and resonsable persons. Thank you very much from all our students and members of the EDC - a very big achievement! Date: 20/08/2009 | |
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New volunteer from Germany - in August 2009 Tall, blond hair, blue eyes and a very kind lady is our third female volunteer in this summer - it is Anna-Corinna from Germany. She loves to teach the children and play with the girls at the orphanage. She is very friedly and kind and is also looking forward to helping in our environmental project. Welcome to the EDC and our big family. The kids like you very much and you help them to lose their shyness of speaking English. Thank you very much for your efforts and sunshine in our house. Date: 21/08/2009 | |
Long term volunteers from the U.K. - from end of August 2009 Leigh (1st left) and Lisa (1st right) - are our new volunteer couple from the U.K. They are taking one year career break to support us with our projects here in Sri Lanka. Lisa is teaching English or playing with the girls of the orphanage, while Leigh is working on the labtop or designing plans. Together they are working in our garden and painting the fence. When the work is done one day, it will look great! And more challenges are just waiting. We are very glad about their support, so many new ideas and experience. They are really lovely. After work we have interesting discussions and a nice time. We might learn many things from them. Thank you very much for your coming - all your efforts and time. Date: 31/08/2009 | |
Singharaja-Eco-Tourism-Project meeting 27.8. A few weeks ago we received an email from the Low Country CBO Consortium" in Deniyaya about 60 km’s north east of Galle close to the Singharaja rainforest. This forest belongs to the last remaining natural rainforest area in Sri Lanka.Although one part of the forest is already developed for tourism it’s now planned to provide access also from Deniyaya for Ecotourists. Interested volunteers are expected to create a concept, tours and advertising material. On the 27th of August we went to have a look at the organisation and the rainforest. We received a hearty welcome from the president of the LCCBO Mr. Lankathikala in Deniyaya.We are still looking for interested volunteers who would like to work in this part of rainforest for a period of 6 months. You will be accomodated by a guest family in the village – housing and meals are provided.Interested? Than write us an email. Thank you Date: 09/09/2009 | |
“Vier Pfoten” dog care clinic: visit to our partners On Saturday (05.09.) we made our way to Mihiripenne, Talpe – a little place close to Galle. Finally we wanted to get to know the chief of the “Vier Pfoten” dog clinic” in person. Her name is Marina Möbius (picture right) - she has a big heart for dogs and is standing up for this with enormous energie – she is financing the project nearly exclusively from her own funds and is even taking part in operations, and clinic duties (after the training with a local veterinarian). There are about 100 dogs on the site – the dogs impossible to re-house are living here, others are recieving medical treatment or are on their way to recovery or wait for new owners. Anybody who knows Sri Lanka and the conditions some dogs are living in here is going to find this a dog paradise. This is provided through the care and commitment of the whole team and especially through Marina Möbius. The professionalism of this project is visible through the full equiped operating room and the card index system for dogs – even the public Sri Lankan hospitals aren’t equiped this well. The core of the project is the castration, and vaccination programmes which take place every week in the surrounded areas and even Kandy. This service is free of charge for locals who could otherwise not afford it.. These programmes are very important in Sri Lanka to limit the uncontrolled spread of the street dogs and the spread of disease.What Marina Möbius is missing is the acceptance of the project as a charity in the country and financial support for the supply of the necessary medicines, castration / sterilizations, and vaccination programmes. We need help! Help as well and support this unique dog project. More information can be found here. Date: 09/09/2009 |
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A new volunteer from Germany arrived – September 2009 Two days ago we had a new member in our multi-cultural-family. It’s Ariane from Germany who will support us during the upcoming two months. Mainly she’ll help us with our mangrove-planting-project and the turtle project of our partner organisation. But also in other parts as management and conservation. Of course it’ll be a great to have her join the team. We are glad that you came – your funny and easy nature makes it enjoyable to work with you and because of your honesty it’s easy to involve you idea in our projects. Thank you. Date: 15/09/2009 | |
A new English teacher – since october 2009 Our new full-time English teacher is Harshi. At first, she will do the "Spoken English" lessons together with our volunteers and in the next semester she will also adopt the theoretical part. Harshi replaces our English teacher Mangala, who will teach graphic design starting next semester (he is also a trained for teaching computer classes).
Date: 15/09/2009 | |
3rd aid transport for war refugees On October 29th we finished our third aid transport for war refugees – and this time we were on the spot ourselves to get an understanding of the situation. Our destination was Silavattura (near Mannar), a former stronghold of the LTTE and in the war zone with many refugees and refugee camps. Above all, our aim was to help children. Most of them go to school but they don't have the money to buy school supplies on their own. So we bought several exercise books, pens, pencils, rubbers and some drawing blocks – altogether for 820 children living in this area. With the aid of our volunteers and members of staff we packed everything in plastic bags within two days, ready for dispatch. After nine hours driving we gave presents to children in seven schools and to a temple. All of the kids were really happy and although they only speak Tamil and just a few words in English and Singhala, the children, the director and the teachers were able to express their gratitude. We want to thank our donators, helping hands and assistants – above all the Navy, which did a great job and made this all possible. Organisation and safety were awesome. Thank you! Date: 15/09/2009 |
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Slight overflow at the EDC On November the 11th we had a we had a huge thunderstorm. After a few hours our access road changed into a river and we even caught fish outside our gates! This event showed us that we have to make more of an effort to build a new access road and to get a better drainage. Under these conditions, the access is just unacceptable for the children. Date: 15/09/2009 | |
New seminar and working room for our volunteers! After a long period of renovation we finished working on the room behind our lecture room, which shall be the working room for our volunteers as well as being used for seminars and conferences. Due to the addition of a new large window, the room is flooded with light. Another way to get in is from the reading gallery. The entrance is next to the library and offers some space to read or just to relax. Another Highlight is our new wireless internet connection. So we are able to work with the internet both in the classrooms and upstairs in the living rooms. Date: 23/11/09 | |
New volunteers in November with Happy End! Since the middle of November, Julia and Daniel are here as volunteers for one month. And right at the beginning, they surprised us with their plans. One week after they arrived, on November the 26th they married! Both of them wore traditional Sri Lankan clothes – it looked beautiful and was an one-time moment. Of course, they had a wedding cake, and sliced it traditionally to feed each other afterwards. A funny note they did not have to change their last names! Both Julia, and Daniel share the same surname "Schwenk" (but thankfully aren’t related!). Both of them are hard-working and help us a lot with our projects. Julia teaches English while Daniel plants trees for our pupils and their families. Together they work for our mangroves project, in the turtle hatchery and clean the beach. Thank you for your support and good luck for your new life as a married couple.
Date: 09/11/09 |
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Planting about 500 mangroves in Bentota Date: 23/12/09 Early in the morning, on December the 13th, we started to do something good for the local environment – we planed to plant about 500 mangroves. Together our volunteers Julia, Daniel and Leigh and our "Green Pioneer" Team loaded our mangroves saplings onto a small truck and transported them to Bentota Beach. The team of about 30 were able to finish this project by about noon after a short breal for refreshment. We implented this project in collaboration with the German associations "friends for friends e.V." and "plant for the planet e.V.". About 1500 mangroves will be planted in the near future. Thank you very much to all helping hands! |
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New Volunteers in December
Date: 23/12/09 In the last few days, Micha and Sigrun our new volunteers arrived from Germany. They will be with us for six weeks, mainly in our partner organisations "Dog Care" in Talpe and on the "Turtle Conservation Project" in Rekawa. We are pleased about your help – your friendly and chummy manner makes working with you very comfortable. Thank you! | |
