PROJECT TOGETHER WE RISE

We are excited to invite you to join us in a meaningful initiative to support Vidyaloka OSC’s partner school in Hokandara, which educates students from grades 1 to 11. Established in 1952, Vidyaloka School serves a community with many students from impoverished backgrounds. Currently, there are 92 enrolled students. Since 2018, Room to Read has partnered with Vidyaloka to enhance education through spoken English lessons, resources, teacher hiring, and the construction of a library building, which is nearing completion.

The current needs include completing the library building, classroom renovations with new coat of paint, wall/classroom divider repairs. Additionally, we require ongoing garden maintenance to keep the outdoor space vibrant and green, there is a need to upgrade the restroom facilities to enhance hygiene and health. To address these needs effectively, we are initiating a process of giving in- kind as well as monetary donations. We are organizing volunteer days every Saturday starting from the second week of February where families, students groups, grade levels, and teachers can come together to help fix and maintain these facilities in collaboration with students, teachers and parents from Vidyaloka school. Together we rise!

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROJECT

Make a Monetary Donation. Make a contribution towards the building fund and to the much needed classroom repair.

Volunteer Your Time: Join us on 29 or 30 March to lend a hand with various projects; painting the classrooms, fixing the toilets, gardening, fixing floors and walls of the school.

Material Donations: If you have access to paint, flooring materials, gardening supplies, or school supplies your donations would be invaluable.

Together, we can create an inspiring environment that fosters learning and growth and make a difference in the lives of Vidyaloka students. We look forward to your support.

TO MAKE A DONATION CLICK HERE.

Warm regards,

Aura, Peter, Aniq, Aadhya, Sswaha, Andy, Minelli, Camille, Olivia, Carol, Kashvi, Raina and Gayani.

Leaders and members of OSC Room to Read.

Questions and suggestions write to - Raina Lockwood ( rlockwood@osc.lk)

Building Bonds and Brightening Spaces: OSC Room to Read and Vidyaloka School Unite for Service Day

Last month, OSC's Room to Read collaborated with Vidyaloka School to organize a Service Day that brought together members of both communities in a spirited effort to improve the school environment. On this day, students, parents, and teachers from both OSC and Vidyaloka joined hands to paint chairs, tables, shelves, and the school buildings, dedicating many hours to this collective task. The event was not only about physical work but also about fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose, as both groups of students learned the value of collaboration and working towards a common goal. It was a great day of service for both groups.

OSC ROOM TO READ

The second joint concert to raise funds for Vidyaloka school was a remarkable event born out of the commitment and dedication of both schools showcasing the talents of students who actively took part in the concert. The students worked tirelessly from planning the event, selling tickets, showcasing their musical talents and working collaboratively throughout from conception to completion. Through their commitment and dedication we were able to raise a substantial amount of money towards the building fund. It was a spectacular evening of talent, joy and beautiful performances.

When we come together, we can do so much more! (9/12/24)

Every Thursday OSC Room to Read members teaches students from Vidyaloka school conversational English. Lessons are planned weekly that includes, reading, writing, games and a lot of conversation. We also connect our Vidyaloka friends with students from WA and Slovenia through our pen pal program. Ms. Anushka hired by RTR accompanies these students to OSC every Thursday apart from teaching English at Vidyaloka school Monday to Friday.

KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THE UNVEILING OF THE GIVING TREE - A CONVENIENT WAY TO HELP VIDYALOKA SCHOOL STUDENTS.

We have successfully organized another Literary Festival to raise funds for Vidylaoka School library building. The event was attended by many students, teachers and parents. Our biggest supporters like the Irish moms, Dr. Throop and Kai Bird made the event a success. We are grateful to those that attended and to those who brough tickets to the event. We will hand over the funds raised thsi year at a Books n Cookies in May.

Room to read latest update

Joint concert

Last month, Room to Read had a joint concert with the Vidyaloka school, where both community came together to perform for the children. This was a fun experience, and many people had a chance to donate towards the library building fund. It was nice to see all sections of the OSC community come together to support Vidyaloka school.

Parents from the OSC community performing at the concert.

Students from Vidiyaloka school performing

Room to read PenPal Program!

Students of Vidialoka school are going to write letters to students in Washington State Discovery School in Mukilteo. Through this program, students are going to learn English communication skills.

OBJECTIVES OF OSC'S ROOM TO READ

To provide a well-resourced reading space for local community by facilitating and resourcing school libraries as well as capacity building through skills and development through collaborative partnership.

During the Summer with money raised through the Literary Festival , the Vidyaloka school was able to continue the construction of the library building, We finally have a staircase that connects the two floors and walls. This academic year, we are planning to complete the building project. 💪

members of RTR manning the books stall

DP students and leaders at the book stall

OSC's ROOM TO READ

2023-24 Academic year, first fundraiser was at the Welcome back pinic organized by the SCN, OSC's RTR sold second hand books to kick start our fundraiser for Vidyaloka school.

Opening of Vidyaloka school buiding

Openining of Vidyaloka school building

RTR members at Vidyaloka school building opening ceremony

THE LIBRARY BUILDING OF VIDYALOKA SCHOOL - FROM A HUT TO AN ACTUAL BUILDING

PLEASE DONATE GENEROUSLY LET US HELP THEM COMPLETE THIS BUILDING.

Students of Ekamuttu Pre School

Students receiving their gifts

Students and teachers of Ekamuttu Pre School in Hambantota

EKAMUTHU FUND RAISER: Help us in our fundraising for the 33 school children of Ekamuthu pre school in Hambantota. The students come from low income families and are struggling to buy new uniform and stationery. Any amount donated will be utilised towards providing these children with school related resources. Please donate generously. Below are some photos from the school.

Ms. Gayani visited the Ekamuttu pre-school in Hmanbantota last week and handed over the stationery and money for uniform to the teachers and students. See the photos above and watch the video of the visit here.

Yesterday we had an inspiring Books n' Cookies session with the Principal of Vidyaloka school Amalee Chandraratna who shared their achievements and challenges of running a school during a difficult time period. Amalee was accompanied by one of their English teacher Dilanthi and five students. We also handed over $1008 raised by Michelle LeBlanc and her friends from Soundshala in Oregon who organized a one-day fundraiser on behalf of Vidyaloka school. Thank you Michelle for your compassion and kindness, the money handed over will help build a staircase from the ground floor to the first floor. We as a service were further inspired by their visit and we will be putting in even more effort to raise money to complete the library building. Here are some photos from yesterday's session and campus tour.

Partner School No 1

VIDYAWARDHENA SCHOOL, SCHOOL LANE, PELAWATTA

Our first school partnership where we initiated the program of OSC’s RTR was with this school. We established a good collaboration with the school and have successfully helped them in renovating their library for the younger children. We have provided shelves, rugs and chairs apart from library books to make the library accessible to all primary students. We continue to support them by providing books for the library.

Partner School No 2

BAPAJAYA VIDYALOKA MAHA VIDYALAYA SCHOOL , HOKANDARA ROAD

Our goal this year is to raise enough money for the construction of the school's library. Recently the school with the help of local donation have initiated the construction of a Two-Storied Multi-Purpose Literacy Building with donations from well-wishers with a plan to have a classroom, Guidance and Counselling Unit, and Library and Literacy Room for students. So far it has been developed up to DPC level and the labor for all other construction work (except Slab work and Roof work) are provided free by the Sri Lankan Army Engineering Services Unit. Our service group will work towards raising enough funds to complete this exciting initiative.

We are seeking sponsorship for a literary event we are hosting in Febuary, do let us know if you would like to contribute to this worthy cause, every little bit counts.

VIDYAWARDHENA SCHOOL, SCHOOL LANE, PELAWATTA

STUDENTS VISITED OUR SCHOOL OSC

VIDYAWARDHENA SCHOOL, SCHOOL LANE, PELAWATTA

We are seeking sponsorship to help rebuild the library cum literature center at Vidayaloka Vidyalaya School in Hokandara. We accept any monetary donation to help finish the construction of this building. Do let us know if you are interested in donating to this worthy cause, any amount is appreciated.

CLICK THIS LINK TO MAKE A PLEDGE

OUR MOST RECENT PARTNERSHIP FACILITATES BOOK DISTRIBUTION IN RURAL AREAS

Our most recent partnership is with Mr. Mahinda who is also fondly known as the bicycle librarian who distributes books to children in the rural areas using his motorbike. Once a month, we provide books donated by friends of our service groups for distribution in rural areas. We are pleased that we can reach out further to the community this way.

We got to know Mr.Mahinda's work through Twitter where an article about his work was highlighted. Through a number of tweets and phone calls, we were able to make connections and we are now working together to make books available to children in the rural areas by providing books once a month for distribution to these areas.

Our most recent activity involves an outreach project with Mr.Mahinda in the Keaglle area. In the first week of November, we visited Isurugama village and distributed 69 packs of back to school supplies to Parmbe and Wadumulla located in the Kegalle area. The children in these villages had requested back to school supplies and with the generous donations from membersof the OSC community we were able to provide these much needed resource to support students transition into face to face school. You can read more about our visit to these places here.

Literary Festival at OSC to raise funds for Vidyaloka School ( 1st April 2023)