Rebuilding tsunami affected schools, a new beginning for Sri Lanka's children

Colombo, 12 December 2005 Teachers and students at the Balapitiya Siddhartha Maha Vidyalaya, a tsunami damaged school in Galle warmly welcomed Mrs. Christina Rau, Former First Lady and Special Envoy of the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany for the Tsunami Partnership Initiative on December 11. Mrs. Rau laid the foundation stone for new school buildings to replace buildings damaged by the tsunami.

Mrs. Rau stated: "I call on the children of Sri Lanka to work hard and acquire the knowledge and skills to rebuild and develop the country," German Ambassador Jurgen Weerth, Dr. Dietrich Garlichs, Executive Director, German National Committee for UNICEF, and Ms. JoAnna Van Gerpen, UNICEF Representative to Sri Lanka also attended the ceremony.

Attending the ceremony, 12-year-old student, Dshanir Rangika Commented: "The tsunami hit our school. I was very sad when I saw all the damage. Our teacher told us: 'Don't worry, a new school will be built.' I'm glad that construction of our new building has started." The school lost three buildings, a science lab, music equipment, desks, chairs and nearly 3,000 library books. At this school, more than 220 students and teachers lost homes.

The Balapitiya Siddhartha school is one of twenty six schools supported by UNICEF across Sri Lanka, with construction work undertaken by the United Nations Office for Project Services. In order to "build back better", UNICEF supports the Ministry of Education's efforts to introduce Child Friendly Schools in Sri Lanka.

Child friendly schools provide a safe and stimulating learning environment for children. Classrooms will be large enough to support interactive teaching and group work. Schools will have adequate toilet facilities, school staff quarters, water points and an upgraded school playground.

At the ceremony, Dr. Garlichs extended best wishes from the people of Hamburg, who contributed the funds for the reconstruction of the Balapitiya Siddhartha school. "I could think of no better symbol for a new beginning than a school for children and the opportunity to support future generations of students with high quality education," he remarked.

The German National Committee for UNICEF contributed a total of US$ 10.49 million for the UNICEF supported tsunami relief programme in Sri Lanka of which US$ 5 million is for school construction and equipment.