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Tsunami orphanage in Sri Lanka
08/11/2007
A project for Sri Lankan tsunami orphans which has benefited from £85,000 in Scottish Government funding was officially opened today.
As part of his visit to Sri Lanka for the Commonwealth Games decision, Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell travelled to the Orphanage Project in Kalutara District, run by Glasgow-based charity Scotland 's Buddhist Vihara.
Mr Maxwell was greeted in traditional Sri Lankan style by a procession of around 100 youngsters who led him to the orphanage building for the opening, where he spoke alongside several ministers from the Sri Lankan government.
The orphanage is home to 20 'at risk' boys orphaned by the 2004 tsunami, and provides them with shelter, education, life coaching and vocational training.
The orphans have been able to receive help from trained experts to assist their psychological and emotional development.
As well as providing the boys with food and clean water, an organic farm has also been created as a source of fresh garden vegetables for many more of the local children. The Scottish Government money was given in 2005 to support the project over three years.
Mr Maxwell said:
"The 2004 tsunami caused terrible destruction and left in its wake a legacy of human suffering in Sri Lanka and the other nations affected.
"Many children were left orphaned by the catastrophe and it's therefore extremely gratifying for me to be able to officially open this excellent project.
"I hope our support will assist the staff in their vital work to heal the emotional scars left by the tsunami and enable the children to grow into confident adults."