RSIS Sri Lanka: Arrivals

Posted: 10 December 2018

Arrivals Day

It’s been a busy few days and we are pleased to announce that (after a very long day) all students arrived safely in Sri Lanka! All students were met by our wonderful team of adult leaders at the airport and escorted back to the hotel to relax and to get to know the rest of the team.

About the team

Our two project teams are led by Vicki from St Philip’s College, Australia and Kate Anderson from St Philip’s College and with them on the adult leadership team is Rod from Ivanhoe Grammar School, Greg from Schule Schloss Salem, Belinda from Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School, Gareth from YK Pao School, Brenda from Ballarat Grammar School, Justin from St Cyprian’s School, Liz and Christophe from Latymer Upper School.

We are excited to have Round Square students from schools across the globe join us on this project including; Ballarat Grammar School, British School Jakarta, Brookhouse School, Bunbury Cathedral Gramma School, Colegio de Inglaterra – The English School -Bogotá Colombia, Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Felsted School, Geraldton Grammar School, Glenlyon Norfolk School, Gordonstoun, Indian High School as Ghubra, Ivanhoe Grammar School, Latymer Upper School, Mayo College, Schule Schloss Salem, Scotch College, St Cyprian’s School, St Clement’s School, St. Philip’s College, The Doon School, The Millennium School, Vidya Devi Jindal School.

Day one

After a good night’s rest, the team had the opportunity to explore the city and to absorb some of the local culture.

In the afternoon the whole team transferred to the local community, which will be their new home for the best part of two weeks. They received a warm welcome and an induction to the project, house rules and a delicious meal. A representative from the community has said:

“We truly appreciate the participation of the Round Square students in our wildlife research, conservation and sustainable development programs in Sri Lanka this year. The 2018 Round Square program will result in numerous benefits to the local communities and the environment.

As a result of the of 2018 Round Square Program with the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society, one hundred villagers will receive 2000 orange plants which will help to increase their socioeconomic status by providing them with a crop that is not susceptible to elephant depredations and will give them a sustainable income over the long term.

In addition the Round Square students will construct a much needed classroom at the local village school. Due to space constraints some of the classes are held outdoors under trees, which is impossible during the monsoon rain season such as now.

So the Round Square students contribution is timely and an incredible gift to all the present and future village children in the village of Pussellayaya in Wasgamuwa in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. The people of the village of Pussellayaya and the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society truly appreciate the contributions made by the 2018 Round Square Program and thank your organization most sincerely for these contributions.”

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