Progress Update September 2025

A Weekend of Community, Connection, and Celebration

The 23rd and 24th of August were truly special for our community, as we were honored to host Mr. Kevin Joseph, Director of Symbioun Private Limited, and his family at our project sites. His visit on Saturday, August 23rd, was a powerful reminder of the deep connection between our supporters and the people we serve.

The day was filled with joy and energy as Kevin observed our regular Saturday classes. He was treated to an incredible display of talent, including captivating karate demonstrations from our young martial artists and beautiful musical performances from the children. The highlight of the day was a heartwarming birthday celebration, where a cake was cut in his honor, bringing everyone together in a moment of shared happiness. The day concluded with Kevin and his family sharing a special lunch with the children, a simple act that created a lasting memory of connection and unity.

The visit continued on Sunday with a productive session for the children led by a resource person, further enriching their learning experience. Kevin also took the time to engage in meaningful discussions with our dedicated team members, addressing community issues and planning for the future. The weekend concluded with a valuable meeting with parents, where he listened to their perspectives and participated in an open dialogue about their needs and aspirations.

We are so grateful to Kevin and his family for their generous time and commitment. Their visit was not only an opportunity to showcase our progress but also a chance to feel the true spirit of partnership that drives our work. Moments like these remind us that we are more than just an organization; we are a family, united in our mission to uplift and empower our community.

Extending Our Reach: A New Chapter in Pudhukudiyiruppu

We are thrilled to announce the expansion of our educational programs to the Jeevananda Ashram in Pudhukudiyiruppu, where we are now providing skill development classes for the ten children in the hostel.

The first session was initiated during Mr. Kevin Joseph’s recent visit, marking a special beginning for this new chapter. The inaugural class was a vibrant and hands-on session focusing on harmonica playing and handicraft making, where the children creatively crafted lanterns using colored paper.

Looking ahead, we are excited to introduce a regular schedule of classes designed to foster a variety of skills. The curriculum includes:

• Chess
• Music
• English
• Reading and Writing Skills

Our goal is to provide these children with the tools they need to grow, learn, and build a brighter future. We are so proud to partner with the Jeevananda Ashram and are grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in these children’s lives.

Upcoming Event: 1st Jubilant Journey Chess Championship

We are excited to announce a fantastic event promoting intellectual development in our community!

The Jubilant Journey Chess Program (JJCP) will be hosting its inaugural 1st Jubilant Journey Chess Championship on Friday, September 27th. The tournament will be held at the BT/KK Mavadivembu Vigneswara Vidyalayam.

This championship marks a significant milestone for the program, providing a platform for young players to showcase their strategic skills and sportsmanship. We look forward to a day of intense yet friendly competition, celebrating the focus and discipline that chess instills in our students.

Mavadivembu Saturday Classes: New Skills and New Languages

Our Saturday skill development classes at Mavadivembu continue to grow, offering new opportunities for our students. This September, we were delighted to introduce Sinhala language classes, which have been met with great enthusiasm from the children. These sessions run alongside our established English classes, fostering multilingual skills from a young age.

Looking ahead, we are excited to expand our curriculum even further. In the coming sessions, we plan to introduce:

• Coding Classes: Providing students with cutting-edge technical skills and logical thinking.
• Photography Classes: Offering new creative outlets and ways to document their world.

We are incredibly proud of the children’s eagerness to learn and are committed to offering a diverse range of subjects that will prepare them for a bright future.

Empowering Batti Women’s Crafts with New Tools and Skills

We are excited to share a significant update from the Batti Women’s Crafts initiative, where we are focused on enhancing productivity and expanding their creative potential.

To streamline the crafting process and add value to their beautiful creations, we have successfully procured and introduced new machinery to the workshop. This equipment will make the production of their coconut-based crafts more efficient, helping these talented artisans increase their output and meet growing demand.

In addition to this technological upgrade, the women are currently undergoing training on a new craft: Terra cotta jewelry making. This new skill will:

• Diversify their product range
• Open up new market opportunities
• Allow exploration of a different artistic medium

We are incredibly proud of the Batti Women’s commitment to learning and growth. This investment in new tools and skills is a direct result of our mission to empower these artisans and ensure the long-term sustainability of their livelihoods.

Farm Updates

Mavadivembu Farm: New Crops and Flourishing Projects

Mavadivembu farm continues its expansion, introducing several exciting new crops. We are happy to report that watermelon and cucumber have been successfully planted, diversifying our range of produce.

A significant new initiative, the moringa project, has also been launched, and the trees are flourishing and growing well. This project will add a valuable, nutrient-rich crop to our harvest and enhance the farm’s overall sustainability.

Thikiliveddai Farm: Addressing Drought Challenges

Unfortunately, our Thikiliveddai farm is still facing the challenging consequences of the drought season. This persistent issue continues to impact production, particularly in the dairy sector, where water scarcity affects both livestock health and milk yields.

In a proactive step to address these difficulties and seek long-term solutions, the Poonkuyil Society and the District Secretariat office’s Women Development Officer (WDO) recently held a crucial meeting. This collaboration focused on:

• Thorough Problem Assessment: Discussing the specific challenges currently facing the farm and the community.
• Strategic Problem-Solving: Identifying and implementing effective solutions to mitigate the impact of the drought.
• Strengthening Partnerships: Ensuring a unified approach to building long-term resilience for the farm and its workers.

We remain deeply committed to working with our partners to navigate these environmental challenges and ensure the Thikiliveddai farm can return to full strength.

We are grateful for the overwhelming support from the community and our dedicated team who have made these programs a reality.

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