Building a library for orphans in Sri Lanka

Summary

This project builds a library in eastern Sri Lanka, providing a rich supply of books and critical literacy support services to 200 orphans traumatized by the civil war and the tsunami.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

This project will build the Shanthi Bhavan Library and Literacy Center for 200 orphaned children in eastern Sri Lanka. The children, ages 6-22, have been traumatized by both decades of civil war and the tsunami. The books and educational services in this library will open the doors of imagination and possibility for the young children. For the older children it will provide rich educational resources and the critical English skills they need to attend university and suceed in life.

How will this project solve this problem?

We will provide books in English and Tamil, including childrens books, early readers, nonfiction and reference materials. We will provide building improvements, shelves, tables, chairs, as well as a librarian and literacy support specialists.

Potential Long Term Impact

This project will help break the cycle of poverty and hopelessness for 200 Sri Lankan orphans by providing books and literacy support services to help them succeed in school and beyond.

Project Message

Thank you very much for what you do for our children. They are in a very vulnerable environment because of war. Education, especially creative and imaginative thinking, is the key to moving forward.
- Father Paul Satkunanayagam S.J., Beneficiary

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Excel file (projdoc.xls).

Resources