Investment in Education has opened doors.

St. Mary's school as an emergency shelter in December 2004

We first came across St. Mary's school in December 2004 when we were looking for Colin, the fisherman who prevented me from drowning in the Asian Tsunami.      The school  was used as emergency shelter for  the fishing village which had been destroyed. Over the railway tracks from the village, the school was in dilapidated state.  One big dreary room with a leaky roof.

St. Mary's school in March 2005.

 FODAD has been  helping the school since we first returned  to Sri Lanka in March 2005.  The support our family and friends have given has meant that the children get a nutritious meal every day and  new shoes  and uniforms each year. We have put in classroom dividers, there is a leak free roof, running water,  computers, musical instruments, prefects' jackets and many other small things which  make the children's' school somewhere to feel proud of.    We also give attendance and merit prizes.  In addition, we pay a monthly contribution towards light-bulbs, the electricity bill and toilet cleanser.    We have also paid 2 teachers for the past 6 years.  The base cost to us is about £9000 per year.

St.Mary's school, October 2015

We have had some real successes and for the first time in the school's history, 7 children have gone on to other schools to take 'A' levels. 2 boys have already passed them.  One  of these boys has done an air-conditioning course and is working  and another has joined the Police Force.

For 7 years we paid  for extra lessons for children after school especially in those subjects where there was no teacher e.g. English.     To remedy this problem, we opened a new school-room on the beach.  This became so popular that this year we added another classroom.

We now have 2 school-rooms on the beach and 5 different  teachers on different days of the week.  Each weekday afternoon  a  teacher comes to teach English grammar, Spoken English, Maths, Science or  History.  The children are so enthusiastic that they turn up early to make sure they have a place in the class-room.  We have noticed a real improvement in their English.  Yesterday, the English Master told us that he believes that at least 4 of them will pass their 'o' levels.  If they do, they will be the first children from the fishing village to do so!

Classroom on the beach  1 opened in 2014

Classroom on the beach  2 opened in 2015

Thank you so much for your support.  There truly is Shared Hope for a Better Future!

10 Years of Happiness and Educational Success with Fathima Orphanage.

Don with the girls on our very first visit to the orphanage in 2005

Our last trip to the beach with friends from England earlier this year.

We were introduced to the Fathima Orphanage in March 2005.  Don's niece Liz in Ireland  had heard about this wonderful orphanage school  and we visited just after they had a new intake of girls who had been orphaned by the Tsunami.  We were overwhelmed with sadness but so heartened  by the Principal who loved all the girls as if they were here own.  Since that day we have visited the orphanage every time we have been in Sri Lanka and sometimes 2 or 3 times within those visits.  In December 2005 with the financial help of my colleague Angelo we took the girls out for their first day outside the orphanage walls and now we go to the beach once or twice a year.

Earlier this year with  wonderful Mrs Mohamed. One  of the newest girls is  on the far left. We have known the other 2 girls for years!.

At the beach  earlier this year with  girls we have known for 10 years.

FODAD supports the secular teaching at the school - English, music, economics, cookery and needlework.    The orphanage which houses over 80 girls  has seen great academic successes with girls reaching A level standard.  4 of our girls took nursery school courses and the couple who have got married are still in touch with us. One is expecting a baby any day now.   The cost of this invaluable support is approximately £4300/US$6600  per year.  It is impossible to calculate the difference this has made to the girls who, after the Principal and teachers, see Della and Don as their only family.  Those of you who have supported these girls have brought happiness beyond measure.

A little bit of bonkersness celebrating elders' day this week. 

Of things Medical

When we first returned to Sri Lanka after the 2004 Tsunami we were told by a local Priest who had a helped  the fishermen in our village  that his dream was to open a free clinic,  He said that he had 3 rooms he could put to good use.     We provided the money and clinic was opened late in 2005.

The sign above the clinic

The clinic which is open every Friday morning  still operates in the same 3 rooms and  has just under 4000 registered patients.  8 doctors work in rotation on a voluntary basis and FODAD supplies all the drugs at a cost of approximately £4600/US$7500 per year.
We visit  the clinic every time we return to Sri Lanka and are quite humbled  by the sheer dedication of the doctors and of Neighbours in Christ who run the clinic.
18 months ago we were asked if we could bring vitamins when we visit.    On Friday October 9th  we were able to donate the vitamins which we had brought with us to the duty doctor

Don with the Doctor with some of the donated vitamins.

We visited the clinic again on Saturday 10th  as we we had a free eye-clinic for the aged. Sadly, we could only cope with 85 people throughout the day in a makeshift optician surgery on a bus and we had to turn another 30 away.  So much thanks to everyone who supports us.

On the bus

The bus which became a surgery.

Chatting with the patients.