Groundwork

What: Investigating the feasibility of implementing LEAP Sri Lanka in Valaichenai: included a pre-pilot run of the pen-pal program and laying the groundwork for LEAP 2008.
Where: Valaichenai, Batticaloa District
Why: To meet with local principals, teachers and students during the development phase of LEAP Sri Lanka, in order to inform and improve the program.
When: February and March, 2008.
Who: The pen pal program was initiated at Valaichenai Hindu College and Venayaga Puram school; principals, teachers and students at these two locations were involved. Margaret, Nick, Cory and Ruwan carried out the pre-pilot program and the meetings.

Leap 2008

What: LEAP Sri Lanka is a learning enrichment activity program designed to support primary education through hands-on active learning. LEAP 2008 engaged students in science projects, artwork, history, English, letters and more, culminating in a public exhibition of the students’ work. The program included a field day, and an educational excursion to famous Sigiriya.
Where: Valaichenai, Batticaloa District
Why: Under-resourced and often short-staffed, schools in eastern Sri Lanka are sometimes hard-pressed to offer even the basic national curriculum. There are few opportunities for students to stretch their boundaries though challenging hands-on learning. LEAP Sri Lanka was designed to engage young minds in non-traditional ways.
When: LEAP 2008 was held over three weeks in July, 2008.
Who: LEAP 2008 participants were grade 8 students from five schools in Valaichenai, as well as a few younger students. Thirty prefects (senior students) from Valaichenai Hindu College were also involved, as well many classroom teachers and all five school principals. LEAP 2008 was delivered by Ainslie, Frances and Margaret, with help from Ruwan, Gereon and Nick.