Karadiyanaru Pre-School

Pre-schools provide children aged 3-5 with nutrition, and early childhood learning and prepare them to start school with the age appropriate social, motor and cognitive skills.

Challenge

There is no national system of pre-schools in Sri Lanka. This adds to the vulnerability of poor children in their preparation for schooling. Additionally many children lack proper nutritional support. Villages on the Badulla Road region of Batticaloa District were particularly isolated and impoverished during the war years. Karadiyanaru is one of the larger villages in this region and its children also require support to prepare for school with early learning and nutrition.

Solution

A pre-school that supports 40-50 children aged 3-5 each year. Experienced teachers who can prepare children for school through creative teaching using arts and sports. A pre-school that provides working class and poor children with an opportunity to develop a foundation for life through nutritional support and early childhood learning.

Long-Term Impact

Karadiyanaru Pre-School has supported children for more than 20 years including during the worst of the war years. It has ensured that hundreds of children have been able to start and succeed in school for the last two decades.