As a new year approaches schools are some of the busiest institutions in the island. Lahiru Preschool in Seenigama – one of the 30 management sectors operated by the Foundation of Goodness (FoG), was no exception.

Lahiru Preschool – providing rural children
With early childhood education

The Lahiru children had been busy practicing for the end of year concert. In addition some children, who are final year preschoolers, had been focusing on securing themselves a good secondary school in the region. The teachers too at Lahiru Preschool were a busy lot, training the children for the end of year concert and also conducting interviews for the 2009 student intake.

The hive of activity began to gather momentum no sooner the Preschool opened for the 3rd term in September.

International Children’s Day
Falling on 01st October, this day dedicated especially to children, was marked by Lahiru Preschool.

The 59 little ones, under the guidance of their teachers put on a fantastic exhibition for parents and outsiders at the AVIVA Village community centre.

Lahiru Preschool Year-end Concert
What an evening it was!

The colourful programme was dotted
with numerous acts

The children had been preparing for this grand event for a near three months. Their excitement couldn’t be contained.

The Indian dance was a favourite
and won loud applause

This grand event was hosted at the AVIVA Village community centre and parents had gathered there in their numbers to see the children perform and to support them.

The audience was thrilled by the children’s acts

Chief Guest at the event was outgoing British volunteer Jillian Lowes who watched enthusiastically along with others in the audience as children put on the 24 items.

Interviews for 2009
The concert marked the culmination to what had been a busy year and a hectic last term. Practices for the concert had been interspersed with interviews for the intake for 2009. Many of the teachers were involved in the process, which was spearheaded by the head teachers Ms. Jayamini Seneviratne and Ms. W.P. Pavithra Purnima.

Screening the list of applicants is no easy task. Priority is always given to the children of Seenigama and next in line are children from the neighbouring villages.

In 2009, thirty nine new students joined Lahiru Preschool replacing the thirty one that moved on to secondary schools.  

Preschool Teachers Attend Workshop
Despite their busy schedule, the Foundation of Goodness (FoG) paved the way for the teachers to attend a teaching enhancement programme.

Ms. Romola de Mel conducts workshop
for the Preschool teachers

Veteran in the field of preschool instructing Ms. Romola de Mel conducted a one-day workshop for the six teachers. The 10 topics she covered included ‘introduction to a holistic approach to learning’, ‘planning strategies’ and ‘ideas for art & craft’.

The 6 teachers not only enjoyed the programme but were also awarded a certificate of participation at the end of the day’s workshop.

FoG Founder/Trustee’s Message
With the teachers now armed and ready to take on 2009 starting with a new batch of first time preschoolers, the start of the New Year looks set to be a busy one.

The Lahiru Preschool has contributed towards the holistic approach the Foundation of Goodness (FoG) has adopted in putting together this unique rural village model that is Seenigama. Elaborating on this further the founder/trustee of the Foundation Kushil Gunasekera said “our Preschool incorporated at the MCC Centre of Excellence is by far one of the best early learning centres in the region, hugely supported and funded by Stafford International School, Colombo, which has set standards that are to vital to cement the right platform to expand on for greater prospects in the growing years. Therefore managing this unit, constantly with an evaluating process to improve its standards, is most significant.”

“Children are our most
valuable and natural resource”
-Herbert Hoover

2009.01.12