Ayubowan!  ආයුබෝවන්  (hello in Sinhala) 

Vanakkam!  -  வணக்கம்  (hello in Tamil)

 

In 2016-17, eleven clubs in district 5240 helped fund a project ($50,750) that supported early childhood education by improving preschool teacher's training in rural Sri Lanka. 

This was the 2nd Global Grant that the Rotary Club of Goleta Noontime has completed and the grant is now helping 450 preschool teachers (who are currently in training) to get their diploma.  

Since the project beginning in 2012, D-5240 together with three other districts has now reached these total numbers:

  • Number of teachers supported has grown to 3,500!
  • This project is benefiting 70,000 children annually.
  • The total grant value is $435,000!

Our club believes that this is a project worthy of our support, as it focuses on educating children in hard to reach rural areas so that they have opportunities similar to those available to children in cities as they grow. Also, the project already has local Rotary partners (PDG Dharshan John, Colombo East) that are prepared to work with us all to ensure the ongoing success of the project year after year. 

We have just come back from our 2nd trip to Sri Lanka.

The trip was a huge success! We visited a convocation (Diploma Ceremony for preschool teachers training) in Jaffna - in the most northern part of Sri Lanka. The convocation was supported by our Global Grant from 2015-16 ($46,000). 

 
In this ceremony there were almost 300 teachers that we were honored to give out diplomas to. The ceremony had some prominent speakers too, including members from Sri Lanka's parliament and the school ministry.
We learned that this project has now become the largest and most important Rotary project in the Sri Lankan history.
We also made it possible to attend an inauguration ceremony in Matara - in the most southern part of Sri Lanka for 450 teachers.
 
Apart from the ceremonies, we visited two preschools where we handed out school materials and toys (collected from Schools in Santa Barbara) that we brought with us once again.
 
The Rotary Club of Goleta Noontime will continue on the started path and hope that you will join us in supporting this project once again in a follow-up third Global Grant. Hopefully you want to be a part of a continuous, growing and successful Global Grant project. We need commitment from clubs in District 5240 to reach a minimum of $10,000 in cash.
We are planning to go back to Sri Lanka in the summer of 2019 and do this as a group travel. YOU and your club members can be participants on this trip! We wish that everyone could experience the same wonderful moments as we did. A great memory for life.

 
The trip will include:
  • visits at preschools (bringing school materials and toys) - hands-on work 
  • visit a training center
  • attending a graduation/opening ceremony (or both)
  • get to know the local Rotarians and their culture and traditions
  • temple sites
  • elephant safari
  • beaches
More information about this upcoming trip will be coming later. Don't miss this great opportunity. We hope to hear from you regarding your contributions soon.   If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us as soon as possible. Thank you in advance for your support. 
 
We are booking presentations right now for the fall. Don't miss out!
 
Regards, Hans & Helena Dahlin,
International Chairs, RC of Goleta Noontime
 
Email:     hans.dahlin@swipnet.se     Tel: 805-259-7113
Email:    helena-dahlin@swipnet.se     Tel: 805-259-5850