At the Gampaha Reconciliation Center, children aged 8 to 11 embark on an exciting journey of learning English, with a special focus on engaging them in practical activities. These sessions are designed not only to teach language skills but also to make learning enjoyable. The approach involves interactive lessons, where children are encouraged to actively participate, making learning an immersive experience. This method helps the children grasp basic English concepts more effectively, while the joy of discovery keeps them motivated throughout the classes.

Special attention is also given to children with special needs, ensuring they receive the support and understanding they require. We ensure that these children are not left behind, offering delicate and thoughtful guidance that helps them learn at their own pace. By focusing on inclusivity, these English classes create an environment where every child feels valued and empowered to grow, making the learning journey a positive and inclusive one for all.

A memorable highlight in October was the Children’s Day celebration. This event brought an extra layer of excitement to the students as they participated in activities that fostered both camaraderie and learning. The celebration was not just a festive moment but also a meaningful time to reflect on the importance of their education. The joy of the day, complete with cake-cutting and fun-filled activities, added to the children’s sense of belonging and made the classroom environment feel like a second home.

The enthusiasm of children for learning continues to grow with each session. As they gain more confidence in expressing themselves in English, the positive impact extends beyond the classroom. Their newfound skills help them better engage with their schoolwork and daily interactions.

The English classes for mothers at the Gampaha Reconciliation Center have become a vital space for personal growth and development. These sessions are designed to enhance the mothers’ language skills through practical reading, writing, speaking, and listening activities. Each class is tailored to engage the participants in real-life scenarios, helping them develop confidence in using English in everyday situations. From reading newspaper articles to discussing daily routines, the learning process is dynamic and interactive, providing a solid foundation for their linguistic progress.

The importance of these classes extends beyond language acquisition. For many of these mothers, learning English opens up new opportunities to communicate more effectively within their communities, pursue work opportunities, and assist their children with schoolwork. The classes also foster a sense of self-confidence, as many of these women had limited exposure to formal education in the past. By mastering new language skills, they not only gain practical abilities but also feel more confident in both their personal and family lives.

These English lessons also create a supportive environment where mothers can learn together, share experiences, and form lasting connections. The focus on practical language skills means that each session is relevant and immediately applicable to their lives, whether it’s interacting with their children’s teachers or navigating public services. Ultimately, these classes at the Gampaha Reconciliation Center are about more than just learning English—they are about building confidence, independence, and a brighter future for these women and their families.

On October 21, 2024, Sri Lanka Unites proudly opened the doors to its new head office in Colombo 8, marking a significant milestone in its journey of fostering peace and reconciliation across the country. The relocation ceremony was a meaningful event, attended by partners, supporters, and staff, all gathered to celebrate this exciting new chapter. As a key partner of Sri Lanka Unites, we were honored to be part of the event, strengthening our mutual bonds and looking forward to new opportunities for collaboration. The move to Colombo 8 signals not just a change in location but also a renewed commitment to expanding the impact of reconciliation and youth empowerment initiatives.

The event was a wonderful occasion to reflect on the shared vision and values that bind us together. As we joined in the celebrations, it became clear that this relocation would pave the way for deeper partnerships and innovative projects. The new office provides an excellent foundation for the important work ahead, and we are excited to see how this move will inspire even greater progress in the efforts of Sri Lanka Unites. It was a pleasure to be part of this momentous day and to continue our journey with them.

On October 4, 2024, we had the privilege of visiting Logos College in Colombo 06 to join their vibrant Children’s Day celebration. As part of the event, we were invited to deliver a speech on the important topic of Self Worth to the enthusiastic students. The session was filled with lively interactions as we discussed the value of recognizing one’s own strengths, talents, and potential. The students eagerly engaged with the message, sharing their thoughts and reflecting on how they could apply these lessons in their daily lives.

The warmth and hospitality we received from the Logos College community made the day even more memorable. Following the speech, the students surprised us with handmade thank-you cards, exoressing their gratitude and creativity. These thoughtful gestures, combined with delicious treats shared during the celebration, created an atmosphere of genuine appreciation and joy, making the experience both touching and inspiring. We are glad that we made a positive impact on their self confidence.

The Children’s Day event at Logos College was more than just a celebration—it was an opportunity to connect with students on a personal level and share a meaningful message about the importance of self-worth. Their excitement and positive response to the session showed how much they valued this moment of learning and reflection. It was truly an unforgettable day, filled with heartfelt interactions and the shared goal of inspiring young minds to believe in themselves and their potential.

We had a productive meeting with the Principal of Logos College to discuss the restart of the SLU Club. The Principal was enthusiastic and more than happy to support the initiative, expressing eagerness to provide the necessary backing to reintegrate the club into the school’s activities. This positive response has paved the way for future collaboration, and plans are now underway to relaunch the SLU Club at Logos College, offering students new opportunities for growth and leadership development.

On October 01, 2024, we visited G.B. Senanayake National School in Ekala to meet with the principal and discuss the timelines for English and ICT classes that will be offered to students. This visit aimed to finalize the details of these sessions, ensuring they align with the school’s academic schedule and the needs of its students. The principal was welcoming to work together, showing great interest in these additional classes as a valuable resource for students’ development.

During the discussion, we covered the potential schedule for both English and ICT classes, identifying optimal days and times that would allow students to participate without interfering with their core subjects. The principal expressed his commitment to supporting the program by providing necessary resources and promoting the classes among students, especially for those who could benefit from extra guidance in English language skills and digital literacy. Together, we mapped out a flexible plan, ensuring it would accommodate as many students as possible.

In October, we continued our English language sessions for the children of Thotalanga, building on the foundations laid in the previous month. These classes are part of our commitment to providing young learners with essential language skills in an enjoyable, supportive environment. To better tailor the curriculum, we introduced a pre-evaluation form at the beginning of the month to assess each child’s initial language proficiency, helping us understand their strengths and areas for improvement. This initial assessment provided valuable insights into their needs, allowing us to shape our approach to maximize their learning experience.

Activities this month included interactive storytelling, simple dialogues, and fun exercises that encourage the kids to express themselves in English. The classroom atmosphere has been lively and positive, as the children actively engage in each activity, showcasing their enthusiasm and determination to learn. Our team’s goal is to make these sessions both educational and enjoyable, ensuring that each child leaves with new knowledge and a smile.

As we continue the classes, we are carefully tracking the children’s progress based on the October pre-evaluation results, which will also guide the lessons in the coming months. The feedback from these sessions has been encouraging, and we look forward to seeing the students reach new milestones. By strengthening their language skills, we hope to broaden their future opportunities and give them the confidence to engage with a wider world.

In Project Roots, we have made significant progress by starting with a comprehensive analysis of the market survey. This helped us identify key trends, challenges, and user needs, laying the foundation for the project. We supplemented the survey data with qualitative insights, which were organized on a Mural board to visualize key themes and ideas. Additionally, we conducted an in-depth analysis of user profiles, creating personas to represent the diverse participants we aim to engage. A study of the cultural framework further enriched our understanding of local dynamics, ensuring that the project is both relevant and impactful.

Building on these insights, we designed the user journey by breaking it into eight major phases to structure participants’ entire experience. These phases are: Pre-departure planning and engagement, Arrival and accommodation, Orientation, Volunteering phase, Cultural learning components, Reflection sessions, Project conclusion and handover, and Final reflection and departure. Each phase outlines the participant’s journey from preparation to wrap-up, ensuring seamless transitions and meaningful engagement at every step. This structure ensures that participants not only contribute to the project but also grow personally through volunteering, cultural learning, and reflection.

To ensure a holistic understanding of each phase, we divided them into focused subsections, including Key Steps, Revenue Drivers, Cost Drivers, Positive and Negative Feelings, Pain Points, and Opportunities. These subsections provide a detailed roadmap of operational aspects and emotional experiences, enabling us to identify challenges and opportunities proactively. With this well-organized journey map, Project Roots is now positioned to proceed with clarity and precision, ensuring that participants’ experiences are enriching while the project delivers sustainable outcomes.