Sri Lanka: Rebuilding a Preschool

When Education Suddenly Disappears

When children laugh, learn and play, one thing matters above all else: a safe place. In Tissamaharama in southern Sri Lanka, this place has been missing since the end of 2025.

In November 2025, Cyclone Ditwah caused devastating floods and landslides across large parts of the country. Millions of people lost their homes, and entire regions were submerged. Rural communities were particularly hard hit, where poverty, limited infrastructure and insecure living conditions already shape daily life.

The preschool in Tissamaharama also fell victim to the forces of nature. Its foundations were undermined, deep cracks spread through the walls, and the building is now at risk of collapse. For safety reasons, it had to be closed.

For around 50 children aged three to five, this meant losing their only place of learning and care overnight. Since then, they have been taught – if at all – in temporary facilities or have had no access to education at all.

Early Childhood Education as a Key to the Future

For many families, the situation is an enormous burden. Parents are unable to work, and older siblings must stay at home to care for younger children. Most importantly, however, the children are missing what is so essential at this age: a sense of security, daily structure and the freedom to grow and develop.

In Tissamaharama, early childhood education is more than an educational service. It lays the foundation for a self-determined future and is often the only way to break the cycle of poverty and lack of opportunity.

How the DERTOUR Foundation Helps

In collaboration with our project partner, the Reiner Meutsch Foundation FLY & HELP, a new, safe preschool is being built in Tissamaharama to replace the destroyed facility. Located further away from the river and on stable ground, the new building will include two bright classrooms for 25 children each, a sheltered veranda, child-friendly sanitary facilities and a small playground. This will create a protected learning environment where children can once again learn, play and grow without fear.

The preschool is state-recognised. Teachers will be provided by the government, as will the land for the new building. This ensures long-term access to early childhood education for the children in the community.

Hope That Lasts

With the reconstruction of the preschool, the DERTOUR Foundation and FLY & HELP are not only providing a building. They are creating safety, stability and hope. And a place where children can simply be children and begin to build their future.