From looking at the children, it is easy to see how time flies. There were a lot of new faces at the kindergarten and also, at the neighboring fence there was a patter of tiny feet. A small girl seemed to have a hard time waiting for her turn to join.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The completion of the new pit drainage was according to plan.  But it does literally bring “big relief” to the house and the kindergarten. However, it would not be Sri Lanka if the next challenge wouldn’t be around the corner.

There are no government-run kindergartens in the country, but there are extensive regulations for running a certified Montessori Kindergarten. One of these regulations says that there has to be a second bathroom, if the number of children is higher than 15. ……………. As if the country did not have other problems to face!

In the meantime, there are almost 40 children in two classes including a disabled boy who attends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beside the house and the new pit drainage, there is a 2.5 metre wide stretch of land where they would like to add the second toilet. It could be used by the children taught in the front part of the Kindergarten while the ones inside could use the old one in the back. They would also like to put a foundation on that land and cover the space with a simple roof to conduct evening classes for bigger children. 

These new classes would be held at the front part of the Kindergarten.  However, the kindergarten tables and small chairs would not be suitable for older children. (I fully agree from painful experience.) 

To our understanding, this is more than high-density housing and we look forward to find out what else will find a place around that house in the coming years. 

The husband of the Kindergarten teacher told us that they fully covered a Rs. 80,000 government loan and had applied for a new one of Rs. 50,000. They will do as much as possible of the construction work themselves but they would greatly appreciate financial support for the project. We will have a look at the estimate and decide then.