German Foundation constructed pre-school opened in Veloor

[TamilNet, Sunday, 09 April 2006, 20:18 GMT]
Two storied Pre-School for tsunami affected children in Veloor, a hamlet in Nilaveli, about 16 km. north of Trincomalee town, constructed by the German Juergen Wahn Foundation (JWF), at a cost of about 2.4 million rupees was declared open by Mr. Klaus Schubert, Chairman of JWF at an event held Saturday. The institution has been named Thirumagal Pre-School.

At the commencement of the event Mr. Klaus Schubert, his wife and members of JWF were received by the residents of Veloor and taken to the venue.

Mr. Klaus Schubert first lit the traditional oil and followed by other guests. Thereafter Mr. Klaus Schubert declared open the building by cutting the ribbon and unveiling the plaque. Participants observed two minute-silence for the departed loved ones in the tsunami.

Mr.S.Mathialagan, Principal of Nilaveli Tamil Maha Vidiyalayam made the welcome address and thanked the JWF for its generous assistance provided to the tsunami affected people in Nilaveli.

Mr. Klaus Schubert gave an assurance at the event that his organization would construct five permanent houses for tsunami-affected families of Veloor.

JWF last year donated agricultural implements to cultivators and fishing equipments to fisher folks who were affected in tsunami and cycles to students, sources said.

Veloor is the most affected area in the Kuchchaveli divisional secretariat division in tsunami with about 156 deaths. About 80 houses were completely destroyed and several partly damaged, according to figures at the district secretariat. All fishing boats owned by Veloor residents were washed away. Nilaveli Tamil Maha Vidiyalayam lost 32 students in tsunami's deadly waves.

Juergen Wahn Foundation is a non-profit organization located in Soest, Germany.

The foundation was named after Juergen Wahn, a student dedicated to helping needy children. Juergen died in an accident on September 24, 1980. However, in proud memory of their son, Dr. Christel and Dr. Hans Guenther Wahn, established an aid foundation in his name, to carry on his important work, JWF's website says of its origin.

"We are providing long term care and relief for children and their mothers living in poverty. Together with local teams we provide necessary help, health care and education in poor countries, until children and mothers become self-sufficient," the website said.



Related Articles:
05.03.05   German Foundation assists tsunami hit Veloor villagers