Sri Lanka was once a promising, emerging developing country—until the COVID-19 pandemic and the current economic crisis that it faces.
Madduma Bandara Vidyalaya in Kandy is a school for both boys and girls from Grades 1 to 11. Many of the students come from very poor families: children of street vendors and beggars, as well as orphans and street children.
Happy Bambini supported this school by renovating the sanitary facilities. A new building was constructed between two existing toilet facilities, featuring a shower, toilet, and washbasin. The existing toilets were renovated, tiled, and painted, with new sanitary fixtures installed and water and wastewater systems updated.
Improving hygiene and building a shower are extremely important, as many children often have no other opportunity to bathe except at school.
The work took longer than expected due to some issues with the initial contractor, but thanks to the patience and efficiency of our on-site coordinator, the project was completed in the best possible way.
To celebrate the completion and success of the project, we organized an opening ceremony, to which the school principal, teachers, parents, and, not least, the children were invited.
From the school principal, we received a list of the poorest families. As a result, the families of the schoolchildren also received food packages and clothing. In such a difficult crisis period, this gift has been met with much gratitude from the recipients.
We also extend our thanks to the support association Eine Welt e.V., which supported us with the construction costs.
You can follow the progress of the project in the photo gallery.