Firm links for the future: Hong Kong’s Li Po Chun United World College
Limited time and funds haven’t stopped an ambitious reconstruction project by the students of Hong Kong’s Li Po Chun United World College
“I do not feel comfortable being here and not doing something for the tsunami victims of my country. Is there any way I can help?” This question was posed by Ishani Premathilaka, a Sri Lankan student at Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong. It is a residential school comprising 250 students from over 80 countries, offering the IB Diploma Programme.
Ishani came to me asking how to organize a project to help tsunami-affected children back home in Sri Lanka. With the help of her parents, living in Colombo, we were able to identify a small school in a town called Matara, in the southern tip of Sri Lanka. Medhananda School comprises only 80 students, almost all of whom had been affected by the tsunami, some due to the loss of parents, siblings or loved ones and
others due to loss of their homes.
We formed a team of volunteer, self-funded students representing Hong Kong, Thailand, Japan, Lesotho, Namibia, the Netherlands, the Philippines and Sri Lanka, who visited Matara for a week. Funds were raised to help with the rebuilding of the school, buy the necessary items and employ personnel. The student group organized a rose-selling project on Valentine’s Day, and collected donations from members of
the faculty and alumni via appeals. On the school’s Open Day, a fund-raising counter brought the total to approximately US$3,000.
Upon arrival at Matara, the students’ itinerary for the week was structured to maximize contact with the children at the school and at the same time to help restore the building. We had organized purchasing the materials and hiring the personnel prior to our arrival in Sri Lanka: Ishani’s parents were a big help here. They also
obtained the approval from the Government Official of the area, the Education Department and principal of the school. This helped us to go straight into action, helping rebuild the moment we arrived.
Once at the school, the students’ tasks included painting, restoring desks and chairs, fitting electric fans, fixing curtains to screen the sun, re-organizing sporting venues and clearing away the debris outside the school. New school uniforms were given to the children, along with stationery and toys. Sporting equipment was donated and a library was created. Every child at the school also had a bank account, with an initial deposit, opened for him or her, thanks to a generous contribution made by a UK donor.
Perhaps the most important aspect of the project was the students’ contact with the children. Rather than dwell on the tragedy, the group encouraged the children to overcome their troubles by playing, which is one of the most effective ways of helping children living in the aftermath of disasters. The introduction of even
a small element of normality can be a welcome distraction after such a traumatic time.
How was so much achieved with limited time and funds? Ishani and her 10 colleagues have shown that if there is a will, the way is not difficult. Hilbert Billones, from the Philippines, says “It is a memorable event in my life: it’s something which touched my heart and my whole being. I won’t forget this.”
Helens Shilombwoleni (Namibia) adds, “It gave me joy to bring happiness. This project was one of the most significant experiences of my life.”
For Ishani, the whole project has been a dream come true. “I really feel I have done something meaningful. Even though it may not be much, I believe we were able make a difference to the lives of the children,“ she says.
The team returned to Hong Kong, but the project did not end there. Through our contacts in Sri Lanka, we continue to monitor the progress of the children at Medhananda School, and offer our support. Another group of our students will be leaving for Sri Lanka fairly soon, in continuation of this project. One of the major objectives of this project is the construction of a playground for the children of the school.
Nimal de Silva
Mathematics teacher and head of house
Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong,
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“It gave me joy to bring happiness. This project was one of the most significant experiences of my life.”
Helens Shilombwoleni
