An update on the Hampton Village project

Many of you will remember how Nabarro got involved in the Hampton Village project in Sri Lanka.

In March one of the founders of the project, Dr Upali Wickrama-Sekera, visited the London office to update us on developments in the village. Construction of all buildings is now complete, including a new medical centre, security hut and fully grassed sports field. Furniture has been purchased for the Nabarro Community Centre with funds provided by the firm, and a library has been established. (Books are still needed for 3 to 18 year olds - if anybody is willing or able to contribute books, please email c.ball@nabarro.com.)

A Pre-School for 30 children and a Day Care Centre have been set up in two of the houses. These activities have been established in close collaboration with the National Children’s Educational Foundation of Sri Lanka. Additionally, the educational sponsorship scheme which many of our staff have supported is underway. All fifty-six children of school age in the Village received a grant this year, though there are another 15 children who are too young for school at present that will need sponsorship in the future.

A recognition scheme has also been set up for students, whereby the three best students in the Village each year (educational performance and all-round contribution to the Village) are to be awarded gold, silver and bronze medals.

If you are interested in sponsoring a child, there are two options to do so:

Option 1 you can donate a one-off amount of £1,000 to secure a child's education through to adulthood

Option 2 you can donate £144 per annum for every year of education taken by your sponsored child

Staffing at the Nabarro Community Centre now comprises an English teacher, two teachers in the Nursery, two day care assistants and one cleaner. There are plans to introduce a senior teacher/co-coordinator and a mathematics teacher. Additionally, a residents' management committee has been established, along with a catering venture run by the ladies in the village. A savings scheme has been introduced for children, and a social programme has been implemented for 2009.

We hope that all staff will feel proud of the contribution that has been made, and continues to be made, by the Firm. It is fantastic to see Hampton Village developing so well and to see so many of our staff taking an active involvement in the development of the project.