May 14, 2025
“All Systems Go” at Wanduramba VTC

Given the nature of the student body, it is essential that Extra Cover Vocational Training Centres, like the one at Wanduramba, meet the regulations laid down by the local Social Services officers … and the current building, with lots of space, a fine kitchen, and excellent toilet facilities has impressed them no end. When Robert […]

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April 4, 2025
Work to be done at Wattogala

Compared with the playground equipment at Ganegama School (see the other story), that at Wattogala is in a frightful state. We have had an on-off relationship with school, thanks in no small part to a somewhat brusque principal. There is now a new head teacher, and we hope that, as funds allow, we might not […]

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March 28, 2025
Kaluwalagala goes from Strength to Strength

We are delighted that Miss Dilhani, the former assistant head at Kauwalagala has recently been appointed principal. The provision of both education and food at this remote school  continue to be excellent, with two daily meals cooked by local women. Volunteers  have recently built a new, temporary classroom for Grade 4 children, and while governmental […]

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March 21, 2025
Happy Belated Birthday, Dinith!

We visited Dinith’s house in October 2024 on what turned out to be his fourth birthday. The young boy has severe physical and intellectual difficulties, and it was only right that we refurbished his (and his mum’s) bedroom to a high standard. Thishantha says that stimulation is key for such a young chap, and we […]

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March 15, 2025
Urala Children

Nearly all the “non-formal” children of the village of Urala now have their birth certificates (see separate story), and Extra Cover is working with Mr Athula to ensure all of them are formally registered. The children need additional support, because they have not been going to school until recently. They attend Bemboda School, but it […]

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March 14, 2025
Pretty in Pink and Purple

Last October, Robert made a pit-stop to Nawala School where he was warmly greeted by the latest intake at the Pre-Prep. Sri Lankans go in for colourful school uniforms for those of kindergarten age, before they wear the regulation state school uniforms. The numbers at Nawala have fluctuated, and the average attendance at the Pre-Prep […]

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How it all started

Days before the Boxing Day of 2004 claimed thirty thousand lives in Sri Lanka, 27 Brighton College pupils flew back to Heathrow after a hugely successful cricket tour of the island. Determined to help a nation that had been such a wonderful host, Matthew Hansford and Robert Easton launched the aptly-named charity “Extra Cover”.
Matthew is the father of one of the cricket tourists and Robert a teacher at Brighton College.
Initially the main thrust of its programme was construction of new homes for victims of the disaster, and in the space of two years, the charity paid for the building of some 39 houses in the south of the country, as well as repairs to several schools near the water’s edge.
In 2007, the charity changed focus and turned its attention exclusively to the field of education. A few miles inland, away from public view, we found schools whose children were in desperate need of life’s essentials – food, water, shelter, medicines, clothing, and basic educational materials. Some children were coming to school with no shoes on their feet and no food in their stomachs. Some of the schools had no clean water supply. Let alone electricity. Let alone toilets. Let alone books, or pens or pencils.
Our objectives are to help some of Sri Lanka's poorest children and their families,
 young adults and those with disabilities.
Charity N. 1139792
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