Overseas sponsors joined the Rotarians of Sri Lanka adding colour and a special bit of magic as the newly rebuilt Puddavaikadu School and the Puthumugathawaram Schools were ceremonially opened recently to signal the dawn of a new era for the students of these tsunami affected schools.

Trustee Rotary Foundation, Carolyn Jones and Rotary International Director Paul Netzel and his wife Diane traveled to Sri Lanka to participate in the ceremonial openings of the two schools.

Rotary Sri Lanka, through its “Schools Re-awaken” project is rebuilding 22 schools across the country which were destroyed by the tsunami of December 2004 in an USD 15M programme which will help send 12,000 children back to new model schools.

With a view to turning the tragedy into an opportunity, Rotary Sri Lanka together with its main partner the Standard Chartered Bank, is rebuilding bigger and better schools with all modern facilities.


Hard toil in special circumstances brings Pudavaikaddu to life again

The Pudavaikkadu Primary Grade school was totally destroyed in the tsunami of December 2004 leaving nearly 200 students without a way to continue their education.

The construction of the school also posed many challenges to the Rotarians of Sri Lanka as it was situated in a very difficult area on the borders of a conflict zone.

It was a special challenge to persuade people to work in the area and as a result the construction work was shared by four contractors with the Lead Club – the Rotary Club of Trincomalee acting as the co-ordinator of all the contractors.

Construction on the site was constantly hampered by the sporadic violence that erupted in the area and sometimes the site had to be completely shut down amid safety concerns.

There was a festive atmosphere all around Pudavaikaddu on the day of the ceremonial opening which was a very colourful event – it seemed as though everyone wanted to be a part of the occasion and demonstrate their gratitude
for the gift of a new ‘model’ school.


After its darkest hour Puthumugathawaram looks forward to a new dawn

The little village of Puthumugathawaram in Batticaloa in the East of the country, was one of the worst affected in the tsunami of December 2004.

Founded way back in 1925 as Ignatius School and later known as Puthumugathawaram School, it had grown to be a leading school in the whole area with around 320 students, when tragedy struck.

The tsunami took away the lives of 78 students and three teachers and totally destroyed the school. Due to its close proximity to the sea the school was relocated to a safer site.

Last week marked a new beginning as the brand new school was ready to welcome back its students heralding a new dawn in the students lives. Parents, staff, and past pupils of the school also joined in the celebration.

There was a poignant moment in the programme when teachers and students of the school joined the invitees in an oil lamp lighting ceremony in remembrance of all those who had passed away in the tsunami.

Guest of Honour Paul Netzel urged the students to “take advantage of the modern facilities and strive to excel in their Studies”.

It was then time for a little magic.

Chief Guest Carolyn Jones strode onto the stage with a box of balloons and an air pump. With a few twists of her hands she turned the balloons into all kinds of shapes. Soon the hall was filled with brightly coloured birds and animals. There was a swan for the Bishop, a giraffe for a little girl and headgear for another lucky boy and girl.

Then came the piece the resistance – clutching a fistful of balloons she expertly twisted them into an octopus for an enthralled audience.

“I have read and heard much about your wonderful project, but it is a special privilege to be present here with you and be a part of it” said Jones. She certainly was not the only one who was glad that she had made the trip!