Joti Koratuwa is a fishing village in Weligama consisting of 92 households. The villagers have lost their livelihood with the destruction of the boats in the Tsunami. In January 2005 the Villagers expressed their dream to have a preschool in the community centre building for their children from age 3–5 years.

We visited the village and the community centre building with the Member of Parliament (MP) and within a few minutes, almost the entire village gathered there.

As fisher-folk they live from day to day. Since the Tsunami destroyed their boats they had no money at all. Since then they have been relying on others and the government to give them food. As the men in the village were not in employment they said that they could help in renovating and buildings the pre-school.

The women also expressed the wish to develop some skills so that they can be employed and contribute to the family income. They told us how the earnings from fishing are not sufficient for the needs of the family, particularly the children. Another project to facilitate alternate employment and empower the women is now underway.

After discussion with the local authorities and the villagers Barberyn agreed to help the villagers to establish the pre-school. The local authorities gave the permission to use the community centre building for the preschool. Barberyn also supplemented the dry rations which were given by the government and milk supplements to the children as required.

The images below tell the story of our first visit.

In the months that followed Barberyn Beach staff worked with the villagers to build a boundary wall, paint the community centre building, build an additional room, furnish the school, landscape the garden, build a shrine room, train the teachers, get the children uniforms, facilitate the establishment of the school committee and enable the villagers to fulfill their dream.

The school was painted in bright primary colours. Since the first discussion with the villagers the children in another adjoining village have also expressed the wish to attend the school. These children are mostly relatives of the villagers in Jotikoratuwa.

The first preschool committee meeting was convened. The members of the committee are a combination of Barberyn staff, a preschool teacher trainer and the villagers. 4 young women were selected and they will undergo part time and on the job training for one year.

The pre-school, named “Anamali” was opened on 20 May 2005 and is now operational. The images tell the story of the traditions related to the opening of the school with the participation of Barberyn owners and staff, nd the joy of the village.