ASIAN TSUNAMI 2004: SHIVA Charity's chairman (Bob Uppington) was in Sri Lanka during the tsunami of Dec 26th 2004 . He had visited a nursery school on the East Coast in order to pay the teachers, and give books and equipment. One week later all the children and staff were swept away by the huge waves that struck the Ampara region and devastated the area. He and his Sri Lankan co-workers delivered drinking water, dry rations and clothes to survivors, by lorry, and then set about the task of rebuilding nursery schools in the Ampara region. Now the charity has built 28 nursery schools near Ampara, and one on the West Coast.
SHIVA Charity's main Sri Lanka project in 2012 is to provide Montessori Educational resources for the nursery schools. We need to improve the quality of education by providing teachers with more than just basic equipment. Resource packs will be made containing educational toys, puppetry, collage, beads, coloured card, glue, scissors, sports equipment, etc., and delivered to each school on an ongoing basis. Can you or your organisation/ school provide or help raise £240 towards equipment for one school? If so please e-mail SHIVA Charity!
SHIVA Charity Sri Lanka: Update 2012
In Pitipana, near Negombo, our first SHIVA Pre-school was established in 1997. It is sponsored by David and Carol Whiting, and is the most popular in the area, and has a great reputation for care and creativity.The two photos, (right), show the children on a visit to the zoo, and the costumes they wore (made by parents) at the "Fun Day", last year. The children also have an annual vegetable fair, an exhibition day, and a Christmas concert (In this western area of Sri Lanka they are Catholic).SHIVA Charity (Schools Helping India Voluntary Association) respects all religions and customs, and does not interfere with the many and varied cultures that are practised in Sri Lanka or Nepal.
In 2012 we will continue to work on renovation and rebuilding of the Nuffield Deaf and Blind Hostels in Jaffna (photos left). In Ampara we are also working with the True Volunteer Foundation, sinking "tube wells" to provide water to the nursery schools. We also hope to improve our resources training for teachers.
SHIVA Charity workers renovating the Girls' Hostel at the Nuffield Centre for the Deaf and Blind.
Providing water to Ampara schools
Working in Sri Lanka with Social Welfare Organisation Ampara District (SWOAD), Social Organization Networking for Development (SOND), Serendib Charitable Trust, and True Volunteer Foundation.
