News archive

Here is the archive of previous news from Shining Life.

New project launched in Medawachchiya, February 2017

In February 2017 Shining Life Children’s Trust launched a new 6-month project in partnership with the Human Development Foundation (HDF); with the communities of the Angunochchiya Gram Sevaka Division (AGSD), in Medawachchiya.

A series of events were held in each of the three villages within AGSD to introduce the work of the project. Attendance was high in all three villages and the community showed a real commitment to the work of the project.

There was a real buzz of excitement as Malkanthi, HDF Project Co-ordinator went through the activity plan for the project. Members of the community welcomed the plans for the project and showed particular anticipation for the Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) clinics and the resources and opportunities being made available for children. Meeting dates were set and members elected for the village welfare societies and children’s clubs. Plans for music lessons and new year celebrations for children were also put into motion.

Sally Chandler, SLCT Field Director, who attended the events, commented 'I have been truly inspired by the motivation and commitment shown by the community here today. They have welcomed the work of the project and are eager and excited to begin work to deliver the change they want and need. The work that is delivered over the next 6-months will be crucial to inform our plans for a longer 30-month project and to ensure positive sustained outcomes for the community. I feel privileged to be part of this project and am very much looking forward to the next 6 months'.

The project was identified through a Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) with the community, facilitated by our partners HDF. Initial work with the community highlighted various challenges surrounding child development, access to safe drinking water, health and well-being and mobilization of the community.

The 6-month project has been designed as an introduction phase to a longer 30-month project; enabling time for SLCT and HDF to establish a strong base in the community and develop a deeper analysis of the community’s needs to guide the work of the longer project.

The 6-month project will work to build the capacity of the community through village welfare societies, children’s clubs and a series of training and awareness programmes. The project will facilitate oopportunities for children to participate in community events and extra –curricular activities through the provision of musical and sporting equipment and activities. The project will also work with various government agencies and the community to deliver a series of CKD clinics and address the provision of safe drinking water for the community.

To find out more about the project please visit the project page.

New Field Director, November 2016

In November our Field Director for the last two years, Bella Hodgkinson, returned to the UK. Bella has helped us to take great strides forward successfully completing projects in Galewela and Pupuressa, setting up a 30-month project in Kirimetiyatte and laying the foundations for a new project in 2017.

Bella has worked hard to successfully strengthen our relationships with local project partners in order to deliver positive outcomes in the communities we are working in. Through the completion of our projects we have been able to see positive differences in the communities where we have worked, to children’s welfare, access to education, income generation and employment. Thank you Bella for all your hard work and support, and we wish you all the very best for the future.

Sally Chandler now takes over the reins. Sally has recently returned from her role as Volunteer Manager in Sabah, where she worked alongside local communities and project partners on a series of sustainable development projects. Sally has worked in the charity and health sector for the past ten years and brings with her a wealth of experience that will help us to continue to develop our projects further over the next two years.

Sally arrived in Sri Lanka at the end of November 2016, and has already visited our project in Kirimetiyatte. She joins us at a very exciting time, with a new project planned for 2017. Visit our Facebook page to find out how Sally is getting on and to stay up to date with the work of our projects.

May 2013 newsletter

Our latest Newsletter is now available. Click here to read it.

Article in News Lanka, February 2013

An article about Shining Life was published in the 14 February issue of News Lanka. Please click here to read it.

Our new Field Director, October 2012

In early October, Kevin McParland arrived in Sri Lanka to take up the post of Field Director. Kevin has an MA in Development Studies and has been working most recently as a Programme Officer for Link Community Development, improving access to quality education in five sub-Saharan African countries. He, joins us at an interesting time when we are about to start new projects in Galewala.

For the past two years, the position has been in the capable hands of John Dean, who has handed over the projects, relationships and networks he has helped us build. We wish Kevin success and are looking forward to working with him.

Message from our outgoing Field Director

Our outgoing Field Director, John Dean, has now returned to the UK. Click here to read his message.

New Kit for Ulapane School

Sutton Football Club kindly donated a team strip which is now in use by all under 15 sports teams (boys and girls) at Ulapane school, for football, volleyball and cricket. The children are delighted with the shirts and are looking forward to using them in forthcoming events.

Autumn 2010

New Field Director goes to Sri Lanka

Shining Life's new Field Director, John Dean, arrived in Sri Lanka in early August.

John obtained an MSc in Development Studies in 2009 from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. He has also worked with the Inter-Cultural Youth Exchange and VSO. He was a member of the Rotary International Group Study Exchange Programme to Sri Lanka and March-April 2010.

Shining Life welcomes John in his new role. One of his first challenges is to work with our partner organisation, the Women's Development Centre in Kandy to produce a proposal for a 6-month project to empower communities in the Kandy District.

Christmas cards and gifts

These are now available for purchase - go to the 'Support' page for more details.

September 2009

New Field Director goes to Sri Lanka

Shining Life's new Field Director, Jane Slocombe, arrived in Sri Lanka on 4 September.

Jane graduated in 2009 from the University of Cambridge in Classical South Asian Studies. She also studied international development and has worked for various charities in India.

Shining Life welcomes Jane in her new role. One of her first challenges will be to work with our partner organisation to produce a full proposal for our new Galewala Project.

Wikipedia page

Shining Life now has its own page on Wikipedia! Click here to see the page.

08/12/2008: Christmas message and news from SLCT's Field Director

03/12/2008: Concert raises £700 for Shining Life Children's Trust!

May 2008: News from the field

October 2007: News from the field