Projects

UMV - A school transformed

Unawatuna Maha Vidyalaya is a different place with a much more positive outlook. The main new building is complete and in full use, the science and computer labs have been completed and are being equipped, the staff accommodation is in use and the remainder of the classrooms have been refurbished and class halls partitioned. The grounds have been improved to create multi-purpose sports fields. The children play cricket, football, rugby, netball and basketball at the school. Teachers and students alike tell us that is like being in a school in the UK or the US – perhaps not quite but certainly a lot better than before.

Classes in the new classrooms in the new classroom block	The headmaster at a cricket practice at UMV on the new playing fields

New staff accommodation

By September 2006, Senahasa had a TEFL teacher and two gap year volunteers in place to build an English Development programme. Senahasa will help children learn to speak and use English in everyday life. A better command of English will give these students better prospects in further education and employment after they leave full-time education.

The toilet facilities have also been replaced and drinking water is now available throughout the grounds.

The background - Building a major extension to a school

We have raised nearly £135,000 to build new classrooms, a hall and some science labs, enlarge the play area and imrove the overall facilities of Unawatuna Maha Vidyalaya. This is needed to accommodate the 200 children from Peellagoda School, which was destroyed in the Tsunami.

The Peellagoda School, a state primary school, was situated beside the Unawatuna Bay on the sea side of the coastal road from Galle. The Peellagoda School will not be rebuilt on the same site.

Peellgoda School in ruins	Progress with the new building at UMV

The Education Department decided that the Peellagoda children should be moved to a nearby school, the Unawatuna Maha Vidyalaya (UMV). The UMV headmaster has agreed that they can join the school as long as he had an assurance that an extension would be built to accommodate the extra children. Senahasa Trust has given this assurance.

Children taking exams sheltering under an umbrella at the Unawatuna Maha Vidyalaya

UMV is a mixed state school which has children aged 6 to 18 and is located about a two kilometres inland. The school stands on three acres of land. Consequently, there is room to build an extension on site. The old science block which is located in the middle of the playground will be demolished, increasing the play area available to the larger number of children.

Senahas will also sponsor 170 children from UMV, many of whom have lost a parent and help them remain in full time education and fulfill their potential.

UMV has the potential to provide children from working class homes with a very good education which would give them a more secure future. School also provides solace for these children and offers them a routine which no other part of their lives can offer right now. Therefore, there is an urgent need to complete these projects as quickly as possible.

View the foundation stone laying ceremony

Click on play button to play the video (mulgal.wmv file - 2MB)

Playing cricket during the recess