Sipsaru team visited our Health Promoting School, Dehigastenna Vidyalaya on Friday 11th March with Dr. Manoj Fernando, Head, Department of Health Promotion and the Senior Lecturer in Health Promotion, Rajarata University and Ms Dilukshi Navodani Soyza, the health promotion facilitator.
Interesting programme was lined up by the school:

1. Discussion with the teaching staff on future plans, issues and specific activities to prepare the students for O.L Examination in May 2022
2. Brief discussion on the planned mid term review of the activities 2018 up to date.
3. Lecture discussion with the students of Year 9, 10 and 11
4. Discussion with the parents of the students of year 9,10 and 11

On the day, 11 students who are chosen according to the selection criteria were awarded scholarships.

Participants: Dr Chandani Galwaduge (Secretary), Dr Udaya Rajapakshe (Programme coordinator) and Mr Lucky Galwaduge (Treasurer) along with Ms Dilukshi Soyza (Health Promotion Facilitator). Following are the observations:

1. Moving of Primary school classes: Year 4 and 5 classes have been moved into laboratory building as the building which housed these classes is in danger of damage due to earth slips that occurred end August.
2. Midday meal preparation:
   1. The six-member steering committee of mothers are very active and remain dedicated.
   2. The cooking is done in the abandoned primary school building and the preparation was in progress. Four mothers were involved and they attempt to keep the hygienic standards to the optimum. Menu was green leaves mallum, carrot with potatoes and fried sprats. Although the building does not have a chimney for smoke to escape, the harm from smoke to children is not there as the building is not occupied.
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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.

Date:  January 2018
Activity: Making the Laboratory functional again

Description:  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.

Lab Supplies 1

Lab Supplies 2

Lab Supplies 4

Lab Supplies 3

Lab Supplies 5