The A-PAD Sri Lanka team recently paid a visit to Batticaloa where they met with the Children’s Club of the village of Koththiyapulai.  The children of this area have faced many hardships wrought upon them by numerous disasters. They are now in the process of rebuilding their lives, and returning to a sense of normalcy.

The A-PAD team had a discussion with the children where they voiced their concerns and needs. The fifty children aged between twelve and sixteen spend their evenings studying together in a common center in their village. They are keen in their education, but were also eager in playing sports and engaging in other recreational activities. However they lacked the sports equipment and other materials to participate in these extracurricular activities. Therefore A-PAD provided chess and carom boards, along with tennis balls, soccer balls, and volleyballs to these children.

The children now enjoy playing games after their study hours. They find this to be an active form of entertainment and relaxation, and express their gratitude to A-PAD for providing them with these facilities.

In a climate of reconciliation and reconstruction, it is important that the children and youth are able to find healthy forms outlet. Sports and games encourage physical activity and promote coexistence. It is important that such needs are identified and met in order to create healthier and well balanced adults.

 

 

A-PAD Sri Lanka  http://www.apadsl.org/