Projects in Sri Lanka

In April/May 2005, the Sri Lankan charity, Aqua Heritage Trust invited the Create Trust to design & head up a 'Healing through Art' programme in Pettigalla Watta, Galle, Sri Lanka. This initial eight week programme was the beginning of six months work in southern Sri Lanka, which paved the way for a long term commitment to the island. In addition to our ongoing aims, we worked to bring trauma relief to tsunami affected children and to beautify and personalise their temporary living space.

Kasbapana, Sri Lanka

Sept/Oct/Nov 2005
This refugee camp outside Galle accommodates a community of around 90 people, including 30 or so children.

From early September 2005, we worked in the camp three days a week for three months. Visual art workshops were conducted with children and young people, ranging from six to 17 years of age. We also continued the photographic project, 'family friends and home' begun in April in Pettigalla Watta.

Feb/March/April 2006
We continued the programme begun in September 2005, with more photography and a series of Visual Art and Dance & Movement workshops.

Graham Peebles directed the three-sessions-a-week, eight week programme, with support from a group of specialist volunteers, including a British contemporary dancer.

Thellwatta, Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka

April/May 2005
Thellwatta is a very large refugee camp just outside Hikkaduwa. 'Create' worked here in conjunction with Danish Peoples Aid, running photographic workshops for some of the 200 or so children and teenagers in the camp. We instigated a photographic project, distributing disposable cameras and asking the group to make images of their 'families, friends and homes'.

Akura, Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka

April/May 2005
In the sister camp to Thellwatta, we again teamed up with Danish Peoples Aid, conducting a related photographic project with children and teenagers from the camp. In total 42 children took part in the photographic project, 'families, friends and home', with all those involved finding it stimulating and fun.

Teacher Training Programme, Sri Lanka

March/April 2006
Graham Peebles was invited by the Galle Divisional Education Department to give a series of talks at the Ruhuna National College of Education.

The talks focused on the underlying purpose of education. The basis of the discussions, was how educators can best enable children/young people to explore their creative abilities and fullfil their innate potential. The impact of socialogical and psychological conditioning was examined, in what proved to be a series of lively, interactive debates.

This work will be continued and expanded early in 2007. Funding is being sought from unicef in Sri Lanka for this Programme.