The mission of Extra Cover is to help some of Sri Lanka’s poorest school children grow up with hope. It provides basic essentials – from food and clean water to toilets and textbooks – to twenty four extremely remote village schools in the southern rainforest area. As funds allow, it also builds extra classrooms, installs playground equipment, runs tea and cinnamon-growing cooperatives, and oversees vocational schools.
Matthew and Robert could write a small, learned article on Sri Lankan children’s playground slides – including in-depth analysis on angle, smoothness, and likelihood of its users ending up requiring medical attention owing to loose jagged pieces of metal. The new slide at Ganegama School is something of a classic – sturdy, safe, and secure […]
Only in Sri Lanka would pupils from one school cheerfully wear the uniform of another. Robert visited Bemboda school in October 2024 and was charmed by the sweet faces of the Pre-Prep children but rather bemused by the fact that their red and yellow uniforms state they are from Yatalamatta. The two places are not […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
