1. Planning/consensus building meetings
September - October 2017
Sipsaru team along with the Ginigathena Medical Officer of Health and his staff made several visits to Dehigastenne Vidyalaya to observe the areas for improvement. Series of discussions were held and consensus was reached on the broad plan of Health Promotion Activities. Also, agreement was reached on the guiding principles of the partnership between Sipsaru and the school.
2. Making the Laboratory functional again
January 2018
We handed over laboratory chemicals and supplies sufficient for five years, enabling the school to recommence the science practical sessions that was on hold for several years due to lack of these. Performance of the laboratory and the use of chemicals and supplies for practical sessions are being monitored both by the school and Sipsaru Organization.
3. Health screening of the school community
March 2018
Facilitate the annual School Medical Inspection by the area Medical Officer of Health and screening of teachers and parents for Non-Communicable diseases.
4. Facelift to library “Learning to learn”
July 2018
Colour washed the library room, removed the old books that were beyond reading status, painted the book shelves, fixed new lightings for better illumination. Provided new books; both Sinhala and English and improved the cataloguing system.
Motivate the children to read, whilst ensuring the students who are lagging behind are not marginalized.
5. Motivational discussions with students “Let’s strive to reach our optimum potentials”
July – September 2018
Organized a series of motivational discussions with the secondary school children. Guest speakers were artists, entrepreneurs as well as respected professionals who are from the area. Held lively discussions enabling children to think, express and discuss their aspirations.
6. Sports goods “Healthy body – healthy mind”
July 2018
Handed over sports goods to motivate the students to take part in sports. Cleaned up the playground to make it more suitable for playing.
7. Scholarship programme
August 2018
Although majority of the children need financial/material support for their education, due to resource constraints, a few children were chosen as beneficiaries. Will increase the number of beneficiaries annually according to fund availability.
The support is tailormade to individual needs of the children and monitory support is not provided unless it is really indicated.
8. Preparation of students for GCE OL -
2018 October onwards
Purchased past papers and students were motivated to study using health promotion techniques. In the year 2019, the school recorded a historical success rate at the GCE Ordinary Level examination in which 9 out of 10 children qualified to do Advanced Level.
9. Construction of toilets for male students “Personal hygiene a priority”
January 2019
Constructed toilets for male students. Provided uninterrupted water supply and hand washing facilities.
10. Training of teachers on health promotion
January 2019
Conducted a one-day workshop for teachers on health promotion. At the end of it the teachers came up with a broad health promotion activity plan.
11. Upgrading of the multipurpose shed “provide more physical space to study”
February 2019
Renovated and transformed the outdoor multipurpose shed in to an outdoor classroom. The school could move one classroom here. As there is no school hall, the school uses this outdoor classroom for their meetings and trainings as well.
12. First Aid training “let’s be skilled to preserve lives in emergencies”
February 2019
Provided a two-day First Aid training to a total of forty; including students, teachers and a few selected parents with the support of St. John Ambulance Brigade. All who qualified received certificates as professional First Aid workers. Follow up refresher trainings are planned.
13. Engagement of students on health promotion
February 2019
Held a one-day workshop for students in grade 8 and above on health promotion
14. Kitchen cum Home-Science room
February 2019
Kitchen cum Home-Science room
Constructed a small kitchen cum home science room and provided three phase electricity. Provided necessary equipment; Gas stove, blender/grinder and an electric oven.
15. Renovation of girl’s toilets and Primary section toilets “Dignity and menstrual hygiene are girls’ rights”
June 2019
Renovated the Girls’ toilets and constructed a separate toilet for young female teachers in the primary school with continued water supply and hand washing facilities.
16. Bio- farming
Ongoing from October 2019
Awareness programme on Bio-farming was held. Programme was initiated by planting a few selected trees in the compound. An organic farm is being established in the school with participation of the parents.
17. Engagement of parents on health promotion
Ongoing since March 2019
Engaged the parents to enable them to understand “happy family” concept. Discussions are held with them periodically to motivate them to provide an enabling home environment to children.
18. Regular monitoring with students and teachers on Health Promotion
Ongoing since March 2019
Conduct regular visits to the school to monitor the Health promotion activities.
19. Construction of Pavilion/outdoor classroom
February 2020
Constructed a pavilion cum outdoor classroom. This space is used as an outdoor classroom and also enables the school to hold public assemblies in which children get the opportunities to improve their leadership and oratory skills.
20. GCE OL Crash programme
Children sitting for G.C.E (ordinary level) were badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, due to continued school closure since March 2020. No availability of internet connectivity and smartphones prevented online studies. Sipsaru, with the school, implemented a crash programme since November 2020 for the children by purchasing a photocopier, past papers and providing lunch and tea thus enabling the teachers and students to yield the maximum results within the limited time available. Series of discussions were held to motivate the teachers, students and parents.
Hats off to the teachers for their commitment.
