 On 26th August 2006, the Tsunami affected children of Pandiruppu celebrated the long anticipated opening of the Kiwanis Visions of Hope Children's Centre. The Centre was built by the Australian Foundation for the Peoples of Asia and the Pacific, with funding provided by the Knorr-Bremse Global Care Foundation of Munich, Germany. Kiwanis EC&C Division 18 of Canada provided funding for the land upon which the centre was built. Kiwanis Club of Colombo City provided funding for project activities to be conducted in an alternative facility before, during and after the construction phase.The aims of the Visions of Hope project are to improve health, nutrition and educational opportunities for Tsunami affected children of the age group 4-15 for years to come, until they leave school and become employable. The Visions of Hope project was initiated by Kiwanis EC&C Division 18 of Canada with assistance from the Kiwanis Club of Colombo City. It is administered by the Sri Lanka Children's Trust, which undertakes small projects in Ampara, Badulla, Batticaloa and Trincomalee districts to improve sanitation, health, nutrition and education for children affected by poverty, conflict, and natural disaster. The Visions of Hope project benefits 74 children in the age group of 4-15 who attend afternoon and evening free tuition classes, of whom 25 children from poor families also receive nutritious meals five days a week. The children all reside nearby and return home to their parents or legal guardians each evening.Other activities include educational field trips, health care and play therapy. |