last update 2005.5.10
Projects
Projects in Sri Lanka
Preschool projects
SVS appreciates requests from communities and individuals which indicate the importance and motivation toward the development of quality preschool education. In 1994 a request came from Godakawela area where no preschool existed for the children. SVS started to research the possibility of providing support to this area. An all village meeting and a survey conducted with village youth were used as a community development strategy. This community participation and people's empowerment led to the sustainability of the project.
Hence, in 1997, another new preschool was built in an isolated area under similar strategies in Kirindiwela. Today 12 children are attending this preschool.
Workshop
SVS has been operating primarily within rural areas. There are preschools in different styles in Sri Lanka. However, most of them are run on an isolated individual base. Although the communities support the preschools, the teachers have limited information about other preschools and limited opportunities for improving their own education.
Through the SVS Workshops, individual teachers meet and share their ideas and concerns with others; then they form a sort of “teachers' network” gaining strength and confidence in their abilities to provide quality education to the children. They start to think seriously about improving the quality of what they are doing because it is a reachable goal with the support of other teachers and SVS.
Preschool teachers' training and children's saving programme
From May 2005 SVS has started a 20-month project with the support of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) grassroots grant. This project includes a 12-month certificate training course for preschool teachers, publication of a textbook and handwork book and a music cassette. The training programme will also include information on establishing a children's savings piggy bank programme through the preschools and local banks.
SVSKDP
As the teachers' motivation started to grow, the demand for quality education became greater. Therefore, the need to create and prepare teaching materials and provide better learning environments also increased. For this purpose, SVS provided small loans to preschools.
Other projects
Information center
After a period of five years, the Sri Lankan government announced an intent to standardize early childhood education practices. This will include developing a public preschool scheme. SVS has begun to focus on acting as a liaison between isolated preschools and government. Syllabus guidelines supposedly distributed to preschools by the government did not reach many isolated preschools. SVS has been establishing a network to ensure that they get the information they are entitled to receive.
Non-formal education
Early 2001, SVS started to support a literacy class in the Pasgoda area where we have connections through preschool activities.
Wash stand “CHAW” for hygiene education
Through the CHAW project, SVS is distributing a washing stand, along with a picture book “Wash, Wash, Wash” and poster for hygiene education.
Smiles — educational foster program for Sri Lankan children
The Smiles project supports poor families and helps them provide basic educational necessities for their children. In addition, part of the support goes toward setting up a savings account in the child's name for future educational needs.
Picture book “Alipencha”
Alipencha is a unique project for preschool children and parents especially from rural areas where limited reading materials are available.
Emergency assistance
- SVS provided first aid boxes to the area where affected in the country's worst floods.
- SVS is continuing support activities for survivors of the Indian Ocean tsunami.