Solid Education as a Launch Pad into Life

Kosgoda, Nov 20, 2023

The school in Sri Lanka supported by the WACKER Relief Fund not only provides children and young people with a solid education, but also gives their families support and guidance. The current tally of successful graduates once again demonstrates the outstanding reputation WACKER College has established.

Education at WACKER College enjoys an excellent reputation. The families make a contribution to the school fees which remain affordable for them thanks to support from the WACKER Relief Fund.

Well-structured lessons with a hot meal a day as well as health, sports and cultural activities cultivate the children’s development. The life-changing experiences at the school also provide support and guidance for their families in their daily struggle against poverty. WACKER College’s counseling program for parents and teachers, which provides tips on recharging your batteries, focused learning, and a healthy lifestyle, has proven its worth.

The pupils’ parents are day laborers with no or only limited earning opportunities due to the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic and the unstable political situation. “For the children of such needy families, our school is a launchpad into a life with their own income,” says Mirko Kappelhoff, Chairman of the WACKER Relief Fund’s Board of Trustees, who has visited Sri Lanka to make sure that the donations were being used responsibly.

The WACKER College in Kosgoda provides instruction for grades 1 through 11. The English skills the students acquire there give graduates good prospects for the future. Since its founding 16 years ago, WACKER College has established itself as a professional institution. Longstanding principal Monk Sadu and his team have shepherded some 725 young people along the road to a diploma. Elfriede Süß, honorary chairperson, and Manfred Weber, the new chairman of the charity “Future for Children,” which supports the WACKER College, thank him for his many years of service to the school. For health reasons, Monk Sadu will have slightly less responsibility in future and has handed over the school management to his colleague Koshali, who brings many years of experience as deputy principal into her new position.

More than 250 children and young people are currently attending classes at WACKER College. Some of them were transferred from the kindergarten and pre-school, where over 80 children are currently being prepared for school. This year, 24 young people graduated with a secondary school leaving certificate. “Our school attracts a very high level of interest and, once again, there are many applications from new school children,” reports Manfred Weber. “That’s why we want to expand capacity. We are planning a project to erect a new school building. The ground-breaking ceremony and the start of construction work is scheduled for next year.”

Sports activities and tournaments, such as cricket, netball, and athletics, are also very popular. The big volleyball tournament with participants and media coverage from the region around Kosgoda was a great success.

The WACKER Relief Fund story began when a catastrophic tsunami hit Sri Lanka in December 2004 and devastated the lives of people in affected areas. Thousands lost their lives or livelihoods. WACKER promptly donated to aid projects and founded its relief fund. A nonprofit foundation, the fund has been true to its motto of “Helping people to help themselves” ever since, giving victims of natural disasters the chance of a better life. Aid projects include the Kosgoda school, which opened its doors in 2006 and has offered a curriculum through to high-school level since 2014.

The WACKER Relief Fund would not be able to finance the school in Kosgoda without the help of the cent-donation program. “By donating the few cents from rounding down their monthly paycheck, everyone who participates in the cent donation program can help make a big difference,” emphasizes Mirko Kappelhoff, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, adding “Thanks to every colleague who has helped to pave the way to a brighter future for the children of Kosgoda through education.”

Through the WACKER Relief Fund cent donation program, employees ensure the ongoing operation of the schools supported by the Fund. With minimal amounts, every employee in Germany can contribute to ensuring that the fund can offer its partners long-term support. How does that work? Employees agree to have their monthly salary rounded down to the nearest euro. The difference in cents is then donated to WACKER Relief Fund.

If you’d like to help, please donate to the following WACKER Relief Fund account with Bayerische Landesbank München:

IBAN DE59 7005 0000‎ 0003 3333 33
BIC BYLADEMMXXX

Please state your name and address on the payment transfer form (in Germany, your WACKER ID number is enough). The Relief Fund issues donation receipts to employees residing in Germany, as the donations are tax-deductible there. The WACKER Relief Fund says a big thank you for every donation. Receipts are sent out in the first quarter of the year.