Boys, OTs and staff made the much-anticipated return to Sri Lanka to visit partner charity Child Action Lanka (CAL) in July, experiencing the remarkable work they do to support and empower vulnerable children and communities.
The Tonbridge group were based at the CAL Child Development Centre in Batticaloa which was built with financial support and equipment from the School. More than 400 children and young people living in extreme poverty are welcomed to the Centre and offered educational classes including English and Computer Skills.
James Priory, Headmaster, was invited to formally open the Centre in a ceremony attended by students, families, government officials and community partners. Children of the Centre also delivered a presentation of the Child Rights Declaration to Nifal Alawdeen, UNICEF Education Officer.
The group participated in a variety of activities to help improve the lives of the 400 children who regularly access the Centre. Mornings were spent building an open-air theatre alongside local skilled staff, whilst children attended school. At lunch, the School were joined by children who were driven to the Centre for a delicious and nutritious meal, prepared by CAL staff.
In the afternoons, the group supported the running of a Child Rights awareness programme. These consisted of “Right to Participate” sessions, designed to empower the children by helping them articulate their hopes and dreams, identify the obstacles that might prevent these from being realised and work towards strategies to remove these challenges.
The trip also featured a fantastic amount of cricket. Children were split into five teams, supported by the Tonbridge boys, and competed for the Tonbridge Cricket Cup 2024. This tournament was hugely popular and an opportunity to discover exceptional talent, particularly among girls.
There were opportunities for the School to visit the homes of children who use the Centre and the two schools that partner with CAL. Here, they taught, played games and engaged in meaningful conversations about the hardships and barriers that these communities face, which left a lasting impact on both sides.
James Priory, Headmaster, said “It was a huge privilege to be a part of this visit to see first-hand the work of our partner charity, the dedication of their staff and the infectious energy of the children.
“The most powerful moment was hearing the Child Rights statements, identified by the children during the workshops, as they were read out first by Tonbridge boys in English and CAL children in Tamil, urging decision-makers to listen to them. We have all left humbled, empowered, and with precious memories of our time with Child Action Lanka.”
The trip was a transformative experience for all involved. It is hoped that the partnership between Tonbridge School and Child Action Lanka will continue to grow, and plans are already underway for future visits in 2025.
