Annual Concert Celebration

Real Medicine Foundation continues to provide salary support for the teachers at the Tangalle Children's Relay Pre-School in Tangalle. Each year, as more and more rural children pass through the school, TCR's role as a gateway to possibility and a bright future become clearer. Here is personal account from our Project Coordinator, Mrs. Minerva Fernando, who attended the school's year end celebration:

'When I reached the school hall it was 10am sharp. The parents and the children were there to greet me. I was thrilled at that moment and I felt very happy when a little girl with a traditional dress greeted me with a lovely bunch of flowers.
Then I met the staff and the director, Mr. Mahendra Andrahennedige, and they greeted me warmly. One of the girls in the girls' hostel did the entire announcements of the concert. I was so happy that Mr. Mahendra had taken such decisions to give an opportunity to come out with talents of the rural children.

The stage decor was very beautiful. The concert started with the traditional dance by the small girls. Tangalle is very famous for fishing and this item of the concert, the little boys as fishermen who danced on the stage, looked very pretty.

The staff had taken much effort to create and made the boys to act such items lively on the stage. I too had a great part to do in front of all the guests, parents, well wishers and the children. It was to give a speech how I have connected with the Tangalle Relay Pre-School.

It was a proud moment for me with all the facts I explained to all, how RMF has paved the way for me to join hands with all the supportive actions of the pre-school and girls' hostel. This gave me a chance to give a message to the people about the projects and services provided by RMF in the Southern Region of Sri Lanka.

In 2006 Real Medicine Foundation made initial contribution to Tangalle Infant Relay for an enclosed playground for the children that was safe from the road, dust and dirt that was caused by heavy traffic. Recently, Real Medicine announced its continued support for Mr. Mahendra Andrahennadige and his TIR project by providing salary support for his pre-school teachers. Providing employment is just one of the ways Real Medicine Foundation supports Sri Lankan communities. The teacher profiles are available for download below.

While many of the original classes were filled with tsunami affected children, those that come now are from poor rural families who would not otherwise have access to pre-school care. And TIR's services go well beyond mere instruction. They provide meals for those children who have not been fed prior to coming and have sponsored families who cannot afford to support their children. To read more about these families and their stories, Word documents are available for download below.

Over the past three years, TCR has provided invaluable services to the children of the Tangalle community however, Mr. Andradinghe project and community involvement has expended well beyond his original intention to have a school. Recognizing that he could do more for his community with the resources he had available, he established a hostel for 16 young women from out of town who needed a safe place to stay while studying in the Tangalle Area for government exams. He has also initiated a home gardening program with the Tangalle Agricultural Center for the 220 families of the Yayawatta Village on Tissa Road and has prepared a proposal for a Special Science Library Lab to meet the needs for the over 2000 college students in the Tangalle Area.

Mahendra, pictured here in blue as we make our first contribution for 2008, is a clear example of an emerging community leader. Although we are not the only supporter of his efforts, our contributions help offset his expenses and this enables him to realize the full potential of his visions for the long term benefit of his community. Please click here to visit his website.