published June 3, 2004
HOPE IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY:
The role of education in rebuilding Sri Lanka
Sunday, June 6th, 2004 at 12 noon
Location : Bedford City Hall, Bedford, MA
Contact : S. Yoganathan, (781)721-0935
Please join us for a presentation by global educators striving to make a difference…
Speakers:
Meera Pathmarajah
A Masters candidate at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education in International Education Policy, Meera is working with Teacher Training Institutes and teachers in Jaffna, Vanni and Batticaloa on a project to reform teacher education in Sri Lanka. One year ago she founded an organization called VISIONS (Volunteers Inspire Students In Orphanages Of Northeast Sri Lanka). VISIONS (www.tamilyouths.org/visions.htm) is a two-week summer leadership camp designed to uplift disadvantaged youth living in orphanages of NorthEast Sri Lanka, by means of volunteer service, advocacy in education reform and youth empowerment. This fall, after co-directing the 2nd VISIONS camp in Batticaloa, she will spend the next year working on educational development projects in Sri Lanka. Born and raised in America, Meera attributes her passion for educational development in Sri Lanka to the immigrant Southern California community in which she was raised.
Alissa Sears
Alissa Sears is co-director of the VISIONS volunteer organization. Last summer she worked with children and teachers from numerous orphanages, universities, and schools in North East Sri Lanka. Since her return to the United States, Alissa has relentlessly worked to spread awareness and raise support for the people of Sri Lanka. Among other things, she has organized book drives and photography exhibits on Sri Lanka and guest lectured at organizations, schools and universities. Alissa’s work for Sri Lanka has been featured in newspapers and T.V. interviews. In June she will graduate from the University of California at San Diego with a Bachelors degree in Communication and Teachers Education. After co-directing VISIONS in Batticaloa this summer, Alissa plans to continue her work with teachers in Sri Lanka for the next one year.