$5,000,000 school opens for tsunami-hit children

Primary school children walking between classes at the new school

5 February 2008: Children who lost everything in the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami are celebrating the official opening of Ruhunu Vijayabha School – the largest project ever undertaken by Plan Sri Lanka. 

When the tsunami hit southern Sri Lanka it devastated communities and destroyed many schools in the Hambantota district. Those children that survived had to attend schools in neighbouring communities, creating massive problems of overcrowding and a huge strain on resources.

Four years on and $5,000,000 later, the children have a brand new child-friendly school that can hold up to 3,000 pupils – with special preference for tsunami-affected families.

Plan action

Immediately following the disaster, Plan worked closely with the Sri Lankan government to implement a tsunami response programme that focused on health, education, housing, livelihood, psycho-social support, and child protection.

As part of this reconstruction programme, the then Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa – now president - asked Plan to develop a new school for the children who were in desperate need of decent educational facilities.

Landmark building

Pupils enjoying child-friendly classes at Ruhunu Vijayabha School

Plan worked with children, families, teachers and communities to ensure the new school meets local needs and delivers quality education.

Sri Lanka's First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa officially opened Ruhunu Vijayabha School - one of the largest schools in the country.

The primary section has 30 classrooms, a play area, clay workshop, library, counselling room and sick room.

The secondary school has 56 classrooms and includes an IT centre, library, industrial workshop and facilities for disabled children.

A playground has been landscaped with a 400 metre track for sports and it has been fully equipped with furniture and resources.

Global support

Funded through the combined efforts of Plan worldwide, major donors include the Victoria Government in Australia, The Grand Charity (UK), Disasters Emergency Committee (UK) and other private and corporate donors from Australia, The Netherlands, France, Finland, Sweden, Germany and Norway.

The first batch of primary school pupils were enrolled last year - and now the school is completed, full capacity of 3,000 is expected by 2009.

Learn more about the Ruhunu Vijayabha School project

Read publications about Plan's work in tsunami-hit countries