last update 16 December 2006

Project Reports: December 2006

Nine More Picture books for Alipencha series

16 December 2006

There were few selections of picture books for young children when we started the Alipencha picture book box project for preschools.

All the books that were available had just a little clip art and the text occupied pages and pages. SVS put effort to create colorful and attractive illustrations. We had an illustrator’s workshop with Mrs. Sybil Wettasinghe. In September, we published 9 very good quality picture books for our Alipencha series, books 4 to12. The stories are Sybil’s original and retold folk tales. We’ve published these nice stories in English, Tamil and Sinhala with the support of The Peace Stone Foundation grant project.

The same nine illustrators drew wonderful artwork for a new children’s songbook. This is available along with a music cassette. Mr. Upali, a music teacher, worked with children and recorded 16 songs (Sinhala 10, Tamil 3, and English 3). These songs are very popular now since preschool concert season starts near the end of the year. This project received JICA Grass Roots support.

“Alipencha” Picture book Library distributed to Colombo

16 December 2006

Colombo group “Pubudu” has worked with SVS since 2004. There are 10 preschools in this group. Since January, 2006 Pubudu group has cooperated in various ways including a teaching exchange and conducting special events together. In the past, preschool teachers were isolated, but now 10 preschools work together in unity and have found power to continue their services with enjoyment.

On November 24 at the SVS office, they were smiling and so happy to be able to bring library boxes to their preschool children. We had 5 boxes made by donations, so two preschools will share one, taking turns every two months. One teacher said, “It will be difficult to carry the box to the other preschool and children will cry to lose the library.” But until they get another 5 boxes they promise to keep working hard. SVS hopes to distribute 5 more library boxes as soon as possible.