Rotary Sri Lanka opens first School rebuilt after tsunami amidst festive atmosphere in historic Sri Lankan Village
Rotary Sri Lanka opens first School rebuilt after tsunami amidst festive atmosphere in historic Sri Lankan Village
Randombe Junior School – a primary school totally destroyed by the tsunami of December 2004 and rebuilt as a new model school was ceremonially opened on Thursday 8th December amidst a festive atmosphere.
Rotary Sri Lanka together with Standard Chartered Bank is rebuilding 25 schools destroyed by the tsunami throughout the country in their “Schools Re-awaken Project” – an initiative that will enable nearly 12,000 children to go back to their very own ‘model’ schools.
Rotary International President Elect Bill Boyd, PRIP & Chairman Elect of the Rotary Foundation Luis Giay and Sir Thomas Harris, Vice Chairman of Standard Chartered Bank UK were among a galaxy of overseas and local dignitaries who graced the occasion and participated in a very moving and emotional dedication of the new school.
“I am here today as a representative of an international organization of over 1.2 million people and I do wish they were all here to be able to share the wonderful emotions that we have been privileged to experience.” said RIPE Bill Boyd in his address.
Already renown the world over for their hospitality, the Sri Lankans demonstrated just why this is so, with a memorable days programme often bordering on the pure magical.
The visiting dignitaries and members of the Apex Committee which managed the entire project traveled down to the venue in an exclusive and gaily decorated train complete with a steam engine. Staff from a five star hotel were on hand to pamper the passengers along the way providing a wide variety of food and drink. No one seemed to notice the time go by in the three-hour journey as the typical Rotary camaraderie prevailed.
The sight that greeted the visitors as they reached the road to the school defied description.
Almost the entire village had turned out to greet them and the whole area was festooned with coloured banners hanging from every conceivable spot. Excited schoolchildren lined the roadway to the new school waving the flags of Rotary, Standard Chartered Bank, Sri Lanka and UK – the country of the Sponsors.
The President and members of the Rotary Club of Millennium City – the lead club assigned to handle the Project Management of the school, were on hand to greet the visitors. Teachers, parents and well wishers cheered the group as they marched in procession behind the school band on a winding roadway which was a riot of colour.
The first item on the day’s agenda was the unveiling of a specially commissioned monument with a threefold dedication. The monument is in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the tsunami, in celebration of those who survived; and in gratitude to those special people who helped build the new school. Many visitors were visibly moved at the sight of the monument.
The visitors were then taken on a conducted tour of the new school by the Architect Aruni Malalasekera – herself a Rotarian and a member of the Rotary Club of Millennium City who handled the Project Management of the construction. The group then moved to the new Assembly Hall for the formal meeting.
“Today is a very special day for Rotary in Sri Lanka because it sees the fruition of a very challenging task undertaken by the district. The presence today of RIPE Bill Boyd, PRIP & Chairman Elect, TRF Luis Giay and a host of other dignitaries is a great encouragement to us and a sign that our efforts here in Sri Lanka are creating the right vibes around the Rotary world.” observed District Governor Nihal Bogahalande in his welcome address.
Luis Giay said, “This wonderful project highlights the dedication and ability of Rotary Sri Lanka and showcases to the world what Rotary is capable of doing. This project is perhaps the largest project to be undertaken by a single Rotary District and to be completed in just over a year’s time.”
“I congratulate and commend the Rotarians of Sri Lanka for this great project” Giay added.
Sir Thomas Harris in his address said, “The Standard Chartered Bank is very grateful to Rotary Sri Lanka for giving us the opportunity to share in this great initiative and help the children of Sri Lanka.”
Among the overseas visitors were District Governor Andrew Herniman and Vvy Game the principal of Braunton School who were representing the sponsors of the school – District 1170 and North Devon Schools in the UK.
“Today is just the starting point of what we hope will be something new and exciting. We are looking forward to an ongoing relationship with the staff and students of the school. Teachers, students and Rotarians from Devon, where we live, look forward to working with the staff and students here to build stronger links and enrich the educational experience of students in both countries.” said Herniman in his address.
By far the loudest applause was reserved for a 14 year old student of the school. Imesha Udhari de Soysa delivered the vote of thanks in impeccable English and her style and delivery far belied her years. She struck a chord in the hearts of her audience when she said, “You have built us a new palace in place of our school and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts” “We will repay you in the only way we can – by studying hard and excelling in our examinations,” said the young girl who dreams of becoming a Doctor one day!
