This is a visit report by one of our Donor from Germany on 21 and 22 January.
A visit report about Nihiluwa Ruhunulanka Foundation.
I met them by internet some time ago. As I was sometimes in
their area in the years before, I was very interested to see what they do
at Ruhunulanka.
I have had an e-mail exchange with Amal Gunarwardene, the founder of
Ruhunulanka. My first impression was, there is a teacher who is very interested
to teach IT to his students. After my visit I can say only with his struggle for
all things, Ruhunulanka is on a successful way. A country like SL should be happy
to have such dedicated teacher.
I work as a production manager in an electronic company in Germany, so
I was very keen to see what they are doing in the IT field in Nihiluwa.
On 21st and 22nd January 2009 I had the opportunity to make a visit in Nihiluwa.
We have had an e-mail exchange very often, but have never met in reality.
So it was an exciting moment for me to meet my “cyber friends” the very first time.
I could see some power point presentations of them about what they are doing in the
IT field. I was very surprised to see that all of them are good in English and experts in
Internet and IT. I did never expect this in a rural area like Nihiluwa.
I think they deserve all support for further development of Ruhunulanka, so it was
a pleasure for me to help them with a small donation.
But there is one point I missed. In Germany we have an exchange of schools and companies, we visit us each other. So on this way every side can learn about the
expectations of the other side. Pupils can learn what companies are looking for,
which skills are on demand and so on. Companies can have a look into what schools
are doing.
I think it would be very helpful if some companies can pay a visit in Ruhunulanka
and have an exchange of thoughts there. Both sides will learn a lot from each other.
At the end of my visit, I am convinced that they will be successful on their way in
the IT future.
A big thank you to all of them for the warm welcome (especially to the student I support Vindya) and
Good Luck for the future!
January 2009
Gerd Gilles
Production Manager
Germany
