New daycare center
At Wattala - Vellaioya Tea Plantation Upper Dandukella Division
In the presence of nearly 150 residents of the plantation, including many children, the official opening of a new daycare center at Vellaioya Estate, Upper Dandukella Division in Sri Lanka, took place on March 23, 2016.
At the opening, several ambassadors from the PW Foundation in the Netherlands were also present, taking the opportunity to present a generous check worth €500 to the Fair Grounds Foundation.
We were warmly welcomed by the local population with flower garlands, and in a cheerful procession accompanied by music and dancing children, we walked to the new daycare center. After the unveiling of the opening plaque amid loud fireworks and the cutting of the ribbon, the ceremony continued with various performances by the children and many expressions of gratitude from those directly involved. The result is impressive. This new building has an area of 159 m2, equipped with spacious play areas, good sanitation, a kitchenette, a small office, and a separate sleeping area with cribs. Approximately 30 children aged 0 to 5, whose parents work on the plantation, will be cared for and looked after here.
The funds for this project were financed from the reservation of €0.50 per kg on Sunleaf® tea sales by Axxent Masters in Tea. Additionally, Van Oord Marine Ingenuity from the Netherlands has also contributed. Play equipment such as swings and seesaws has been installed at the daycare center, made possible through a donation from the employees of our banking partner Rabobank Alkmaar and e/o. It was appropriately acknowledged.
We felt proud and grateful to collaborate with the Vellaioya Estate in bringing this project to realization.
With the opening of this facility, the Fair Grounds Foundation has now financed five daycare centers on tea plantations in Sri Lanka since its establishment in 2009. We consider it a shared responsibility to maintain the condition of the buildings so that future generations can also enjoy this beautiful facility and play freely.
We sincerely thank the estate and all friends of the Fair Grounds Foundation for making this project possible and wish all involved a bright future in good health.
