German lesson, pre-school and new scholarships

Of course, there are news, interesting events…that could be reported, but I have had lots of problems here at the hotel with internet connections during the last three days. So, I have to watch out for good moments to get connected.
Tuesday morning, I started German lessons with a big group of grade 8 and 9 students. I taught them last September already, but not regularly, because I took three groups in turns, which means that I did not see them too often. (more…)

The day before the great event

I should start meeting some friends, because there are only 2 ½ weeks left to meet lots of them. Rukmani, a bank assistant who has been helping us in bank affairs from the beginning of our work in 2005, succeeded in getting me into contact with a bank manager to start our monthly scholarship transfers end of January. I invited her for dinner, and she was accompanied by her younger sister, brother in law and little niece. (more…)

Anura College – First steps in 2016

Arrival at Colombo Airport at 8 a. m. on Wednesday (3.30 a. m. in Germany). My polo-neck jumper and waistcoat have served their time, and it is just my T-shirt that will do to face, so early in the morning, those 30°C welcoming me when leaving the airport.
The driver takes the Highway to the South, and shortly before Hikkaduwa, he turns to the coast road A2 towards Koggala. Looking at the Indian Ocean, at the white crest on the water reflecting the shining blue sky, palm trees, fisher boats, hustle and bustle along the road; ….and that is never boring – even not on my 13th journey to that island.
13 – lucky or unlucky number? I usually don’t believe in such a nonsense. (more…)

Sri Lanka – we are on the way (again) !

One more week – that seems to be a long time. But there is a lot of preparation for this three weeks’ journey with regard to school visits, German lessons, scholarship children, checking building activities,….to pack, to consider, to note, and this week must be used efficiently. On Thursday, January 14th , our annual meeting of all Neuwied-Matara-friendship-Association-members will take place, and there might be discussions and decisions that could be important for the president, Mr. Bernd Mertgen, and the vice president, Mrs. Edeltrud Pinger, who both are going to travel to Sri Lanka on January 19th 2016. They certainly will be given some presents for scholarship students from their sponsors and will be handed over to the children later in Matara. (more…)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Here are sincere wishes for all our members, sponsors, friends in Germany and Sri Lanka and everywhere in the world where they can be found. May we all face a happy, healthy, successful and peaceful new year 2016!

The drawings that you can see here, were sent to me by a young student from Matara as her New Year’s message. She wishes good luck and peace, and she is extremely thankful for the support given to her by our Neuwied-Matara-Friendship-Association, which means a chance to her that she would not have had without its existence.
January 20th 2016 is the date of our President’s and my journey to the island in the Indian Ocean, that means in less than three weeks time. We are looking forward to visiting our project schools, particularly Anura Vidyalaya and see if our latest project could be finished and can be opened. There will be German lessons again, of course, (perhaps even “double-teaching”, because Alexandra [see previous articles, October 5th and December 8th] is still there) and visits at scholarship-children’s houses.

We hope that we can continue our support by the help of our members and sponsors, particularly the support of schools and education, which is one of the most important elements when talking about the development of a country. Thanks to all those who give us their company and act according to this premise.
Edeltrud Pinger, Vice President

Christmas message to our pen friends

We are not sure if our Christmas letters will arrive in time. But it is our good intention that counts, and Christmas time lasts up to January 6th 2016, day of Epiphany. So, we meet Mrs. Pinger in the new library of Werner-Heisenberg-High school, who has always helped us writing letters in English. We all, German and Singhalese letter writers, are a bit lazy, and it takes some time before we receive a letter or meet again to write a new one.

(more…)

Video: presenting 2 project schools in Matara

Our members and friends, Mrs Annegret Grünewald-Barthlen and Mr. Dr. Gregor Barthlen visited Sri Lanka early this year and two of our project schools in Matara. They made a wonderful film and gave us permission to publish it here on our association’s homepage. You will discover the link here on the right side and follow it. To make sure that everyone can find the video, here again the address in the internet.

https://www.nrwision.de/programm/sendungen/ansehen/sri-lanka-hilfe-fuer-matara.html

Thank you so much, Mrs. and Mr. Barthlen for this marvelous result.

German lessons go on – Miss Alexandra started teaching

For two weeks now, the young German lady student Alexandra is living at Matara, Anura College, where she will stay several months to teach German. She lives near the College and has already started her German lessons. Some months ago, she met Mrs. Edeltrud Pinger in Germany, who has been teaching German for some years, but only for three weeks a year. She gave Alexandra good advice and information about her teaching activities. Alexandra has successfully passed her A-Level-Exams in Schwerin, Germany, and now, she needs some rest and

relaxing after her tiring exams. Whether teaching is relaxing,…? she will find out. Now, she is the teacher and not the student anymore. That will mean a pleasant change for her, and she seems to enjoy teaching. And the young students at Anura College, they love their young teacher lady. For the older students who have already attended Mrs. Pinger’s lessons she can use the new German language book that was introduced in August/September. For the younger students, she uses black board or white board and corresponding papers. Alexandra can teach English as well and support English teachers at Anura Vidyalaya in their lessons. Neuwied-Matara-Friendship-Association thanks Miss Alexandra a lot for her selfless help when teaching. She is lucky enough to have found some friends already who can show her the island of Sri Lanka and wonderful places nearby. There are many of them to visit. Alexandra told us that she has not yet cooked a meal in her appartment. Why not? – Because she is very often invited to a meal by neighbours, friends, teachers…..That is the way they are, Srilankan people. Bohome istuti – thanks a lot!

Ten years of useful support – We want to go on and we will!

After the reception, mid-September, given by our Lord Mayor (see preceding article) on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of our Friendship-Association, we welcomed friends and citizens, all those who were interested in our activities, to inform them within the context of an exhibition (photographs and a film) about our numerous and successful projects in Matara. The day before, board members decorated the hall, put up boards with lots of pictures, posters, etc. and typical Singhalese objects. At 11 a. m., the vice president Edeltrud Pinger welcomed the arriving guests, the new patron Princess Sophie Charlotte zu Wied, town-counsellor Michael Mang deputizing the Lord Mayor of Neuwied, lots of association members from Neuwied and other places. Our manager, Sagara Abegunewardene, lightened the oil lamp together with our patron, which reminded us of ceremonies in Sri Lanka. On this occasion, Princess Sophie made a short speech, expressing great appreciation for everything that has been carried out in Matara schools so far. She praised the competent way of helping students, encouraging them and paving their way for a successful future. (more…)

Big welcome by Lord Mayor Roth at town council on the occasion of our tenth anniversary

Foundation of Neuwied-Matara Friendship Association took place on September 21st, 2005. A few weeks after the tsunami, shaking the area around the Indian Ocean on December 26th, 2004, the Lord Mayor of Neuwied, Nikolaus Roth, together with Sagara Abegunewardene, Manfred Meier (Manager of Lohmann Company in Neuwied/Feldkirchen), some teachers, school principals and others founded an alliance called “Neuwied helps to help” which later became “Neuwied-Matara Friendship Association”. On that occasion the Lord Mayor invited foundation members, former and current board members, donors, friends and our patron, Princess Sophie Charlotte zu Wied in his office, town council of Neuwied. (more…)