My name is Jivanka Pathirage, from Sri Lanka. For those who are not aware, Sri Lanka is an island in the Indian Ocean that has so much potential to grow and develop. Below is a description the Mini training / Project that I conducted for a very rural School in the area called Bibila in Sri Lanka.
The following objectives guided my mini-training/ project
- Providing stationary and books to underprivileged students in a rural area
- Making action towards SDG 04- Quality Education
- Helping out fellow students to take the best advantage of the free education facility Sri Lanka possesses
- Helping out to increase the literacy rate of Sri Lanka which is already more than 92 %
- To introduce the UN’s sustainable goals to the students, teachers and the principal
- To educate the staff and parents that there are many organizations that are willing to help out rural underprivileged schools
Our involvement with Hepola Kanitu Viduhala School in Bibila, Sri Lanka, began with a formal request from the school’s principal, who expressed the difficulties the school was facing and their pressing need for assistance. This formal appeal, presented on the school’s official letterhead, outlined the challenges they were encountering.
To ensure the legitimacy and authenticity of the request, a comprehensive background check was conducted. This inquiry was undertaken by a subordinate named Mr. Herath, who provided valuable insights into the school’s situation.
One notable aspect of this initiative was the school’s principal, who is a Buddhist priest. This fact instilled a higher degree of confidence that any materials provided would be utilized conscientiously and ethically, further reinforcing our commitment to this cause.
In total, over 120 individuals participated in our project, including a diverse group of stakeholders:
– Students from Grades 1 to 11, spanning from primary to ordinary levels.
– Parents of the children attending the school.
– The dedicated teachers at Hepola Kanitu Viduhala School.
– The school’s principal, who also served as a Buddhist priest.
– A dedicated team of volunteers and family members who contributed their time and effort.
The collection of books and funds for this project was a collaborative effort. We initiated the process by sharing the original request letter from the school principal via various means, including social media platforms and in-person interactions. Contributors were invited to participate by either providing books or contributing monetary donations.
Financial contributions were facilitated through bank transfers, as well as in the form of cash donations. To maintain transparency and accountability, all transactions were meticulously recorded in an Excel sheet, ensuring that every contribution was properly documented and managed.
A crucial component of our project was the emphasis on educating the participants about Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the roles played by non-profit organizations such as United People Global (UPG), Road to Rights, and Rotaract. During the project, special attention was given to SDG 4, which centres on Quality Education.
Participants were enlightened about the profound significance of education in personal growth, family development, community enrichment, and the advancement of the entire nation. We urged them to seize the golden opportunity of free education offered in Sri Lanka, a privilege not available in many parts of the world. Moreover, we encouraged the audience to utilize the books and stationery provided judiciously, assuring them of our ongoing support whenever the need arose.
As part of our educational outreach, we placed particular emphasis on UPG (United People Global) and its pivotal role in societal and national betterment. The participants received insights into how organizations like UPG, Road to Rights, and Rotaract could be harnessed to bring about positive change in their communities and their country as a whole. Through this holistic approach, we aimed to empower not only the school but also the individuals and the broader society, fostering a sense of responsibility and shared commitment toward sustainable development and quality education.
To learn more about this project contact me via email at: jivankakavipath@gmail.com
