By Maurice Perera as appeared in
Serendib News
(Maurice visited Sri Lanka for the opening
of the new wings
at the North Dickwella Maha Vidyalaya)
The eyes said it all: “Wow, look at us now!” That appeared to be the unanimous response from hundreds of school children from the North Dickwella Maha Vidyalaya when they gathered at the school grounds, dressed in their spotlessly white uniforms, for the opening of the three-storey new school wing on March 19, 2007.
There
was pride in their eyes as they looked with wonderment at the new ochre-coloured building that towered
over their dilapidated school classrooms. Sharing that pride and moment of
glory were several members of the Sri Lanka Association of Victoria (SLAV) and
HELP Sri Lanka Inc, who travelled from Melbourne for the opening of the new
wing that was built, under the auspices of the City of Melbourne, with a
$100,000 donation from SLAV.
The
new wing, which comprises an Activity Centre and a Science Lab on the ground
floor, an IT room on the second floor and a Library on the third floor, will
cater for over 600 children who were deprived of an education when eight
schools in the area were wiped out by the tsunami in December 2004.
As
the voices that responded to the music of the national anthems of Sri Lanka and
Australia, Sri Lanka Maatha and Advance Australia Fair, faded after the
raising of the Sri Lankan flag, by the Divisional Director of Education,
Gunadasa Karunaratne, the Australian flag by HELP Sri Lanka Inc patron Susan Riley
and the school flag by the principal, Rev Dhammavilasa Thero, Malini, an
eight-year-old girl, was heard saying: Dhang
mata dostora kennek wenda puluvang (Now, I can become a doctor!). The
science lab may help her achieve that dream.
In
an interview before the formal opening of the new wing by Palitha Yapa,
Co-ordinating Secretary for Sri Lanka’s Minister for Cultural Affairs Mahinda
Yapa Abeyawardene, the school’s principal, Rev. Dhammavilasa Thero, expressed
his gratitude for the magnificent response from donors to the school’s dire
needs.
“We
can now offer science subjects to our students and prepare them for Advanced
Level classes,” he said.
“This
is a very happy occasion. This is a school located in the rural corner of Sri
Lanka offering education to children of poor communities. Children who are
deprived of many essentials in life, including a good education.
“We
can now embark on a brave and exciting journey to upgrade this school as a
centre of excellence in Matara, giving new hope and a bright future for our
children.”
Melbourne’s
Lord Mayor, John So, in a message to the school’s representatives and the
people of Dickwella, said: “The South Asian tsunami of 2004 was one of the
greatest challenges ever faced by humanity … However, humanity is stronger than
any wave… From devastation, hope and a new beginning are born.
“After
two years of construction, the children of Matara open the doors to a new high
school and a brighter future. The Dickwella North High School project was
headed by the City of Melbourne Lord Mayor’s Tsunami Working Group. But the
energy and effort came from many people in Australia and Sri Lanka.
“Funding
for this school came directly from the people of Melbourne. Their response in a
time of need was inspirational and humbling. The experience has given us an
unshakeable belief in the strength of the human spirit.
“On
behalf of the City of Melbourne, I wish
to say how proud we are to have been involved in this project. Our greatest
hope is that we have contributed to the knowledge, fulfilment and future
success of North Dickwella students.”
SLAV
president Joe Schokman said the association had been involved in various aid
projects over the years and was fortunate to be in a financial position to be
one of the leading organisations in offering humanitarian aid to cushion the
impact of the tsunami in parts of Sri Lanka.
“SLAV
took a leading role in the aftermath of the tsunami in December 2004 and
donated more than $153,000 for various projects in Sri Lanka since then. In a
tremendous show of support to the City of Melbourne initiative, SLAV agreed to
donate funds to construct two additional levels to the new wing at Dickwella
North Maha Vidyalaya.”
He
thanked HELP Sri Lanka Inc former president
Nihal de Run for the major role he and his committee played in
negotiating and managing the successful project in a professional way between
SLAV and the City of Melbourne. He also thanked Sarath Mataraarachchi for his
“expertise and enthusiasm that saw this project completed on time and within
budget”.
He
said SLAV also donated money towards the construction of two toilet blocks for
the school. “This entire project is a major highlight for SLAV and we are very
proud of its success.
“To
Beverley Pinder, of HELP Sri Lanka Inc, who has the ability to undertake any
task big or small and make it happen, I extend my gratitude and thanks.”
As well, Beverley Pinder was able to secure a $9000 donation from the Gladstone Park Secondary College, Craigieburn South and Greenvale Primary schools, to equip the science lab, and negotiated with King’s College, in UK, for a modern kitchen for the school and an ongoing breakfast program for the students.
HELP
Sri Lanka Inc patron Susan Riley said: “In a project managed by Architects
Without Frontiers, this school is a benchmark in education in this country.,
and we are all very proud to have been involved.
“May
I, as patron of HELP Sri Lanka and our committed team of volunteers, our
friends of the City of Melbourne and Lord Mayor John So, hope the facilities
will inspire students to go on to bigger and better things in life as they
progress down their path of education and learning life’s skills in this
magnificent structure - the North Dickwella school.”
Among
other speakers were HELP Sri Lanka Inc president Nihal de Run and Sarath
Mataraarachchi, from Architects Without Frontiers, who managed the project.
With
formal business of the historic day over, the students of North Dickwella
entertained the large crowd of parents and well-wishers to a song and dance
extravaganza.