“Hello,

I hope to spend some time in Arugam Bay later this
summer and noticed that someone is interested in
English language instruction in the area. I could
be of use having been at that work some twenty
five years here in Japan. Our plans are open though
we’ll only be in Sri Lanka for about twenty days.
If you have any suggestions please let me know.

Regards,

Kevin Monahan
Kanazawa, Japan “

I took the liberty to copy and paste your comment to this more appropriate front page location.

I am also a teacher and I done some volunteer work in Sri Lanka.
The main problem, as I experienced it, is not really the shortage of people like you or me, who are happy to assist and help out.
Due to low eduction of some head teachers they are still resisting outsiders with much better qualifications and command of English to come in and show their own low standards off in front of the pupils, who’s respect they are working so hard at to gain.
I worked for a few months at the New Muslim School on the other end of Arugam Bay. I also offered to teach at this New Sinhalese School - where management flatly refused:

Sinhalese seems to be the only language they understand and wish to teach.
I fully agree with statements on this site that a brilliant chance has been lost to teach ALL children TOGETHER in a neutral, world language.
The NGO’s and donor Nations should have insisted to finance only true Common schools rather than helping this troubled Nation to drive more wedges between yet another young generation.

However, it can’t harm if you offer your services to the local schools when you are there.
There is hope that a learning process and rethinking has began, due to the Internet and Computer classes where English obviously is a must these days.
Mary,
Scotland

Here a link to an organization, which also seems to be in the planning stages for the very same project:
http://www.srilankaschool.org/German/g-index.htm

As the Italian people managed to build quicker, better and much more efficiently this Organization is now attempting to construct a multi cultural school in Panama.

It remains to be seen when the first Muslim kid from Potthuvill or Tamil child from Arugam Bay attends this remote Singhala location

Hamburg Hilft has invested 25,000 Euro into this project.
The cash was returned when the first project was stalled and run into controversy (due to open publicity on www.Arugam.info)
At the second, Panama attempt it was asked for again.

How does it go on?
From the organization no answer(s).

Perhaps Hamburg Hilft can actually Help further?
Kai-Oliver Farr, Tel. (040) 428 31-1671, E-Mail kai-oliver.farr@sk.hamburg.de oder Wolfgang Grätz, Tel. (040) 428 31-2500, E-Mail wolfgang.graetz@sk.hamburg.de.