Nursery schools play an important role in the development of children under 5, and this is particularly true for orphans who may have lost the stability of a family home.

The nursery school provides a safe environment for children, and for many orphans, this is a place where they can find the love, care, affection and attention they need. Nursery schools also help children interact and play with children of their own age.

IRW is establishing a nursery school to serve children under 5 affected by the tsunami, orphans, and children from poverty stricken families in Nintavur, Addalachenai, Karaitivu, Sammanthurai, Kalmunaikudy, Kalmunai and Maruthamunai.

Project Objectives

• To provide an opportunity for orphans of the war and the tsunami to enjoy the same facilities enjoyed by children with parents.
• To develop a good environment for young children.
• To provide nutritional food
• To help the young children gain confidence and prepare them for primary education

Project Activities

• Organise playgroups and teach through play.
• Arrange picnics on the beach or to other places interesting to preschool children.
• Provide toys and playing materials

Beneficiaries

600 deprived children and orphans under 5 years old in the Ampara district.

"Islamic Relief is striving for a fairer world. Our mission is to help the poor and needy to live sustainable, self-reliant lives within safe and caring communities. Our work is guided and shaped by the core values of accountability, humanitarianism, neutrality and impartiality, inclusiveness, integrity and co-operation, all of which are also integral to the Islamic faith."
Dr Hany El Banna - Founder of Islamic Relief

Islamic Relief was established in 1984 and our unique approach is the result of these many years of hands-on experience.

1. Where possible we adopt a community partnership-based approach; encouraging community involvement, understanding and ownership of projects.
2. We run the majority of our field projects ourselves, giving us direct insight into the problems faced and how best to solve them.
3. We aim to empower those we help in order to achieve sustainable results.
4. Though our emergency response teams are quick to respond to emergencies around the world, we continue to support communities long after the initial media interest has died down.
5. We recruit staff locally to benefit from their local knowledge. This ensures that we are culturally sensitive and allows us to reach communities and areas other organisations cannot.
6. Where necessary we coordinate our work with other reputable aid agencies, local organisations and governments.

Millennium Development Goals

Islamic Relief is committed to the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which have been agreed by the world’s leading development institutions in an effort to meet the needs of the world’s poorest by the year 2015. 

The goals:

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2. Achieve universal primary education
3. Promote gender equality and empower women
4. Reduce child mortality
5. Improve maternal health
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
7. Ensure environmental sustainability
8. Develop a global partnership for development

For more information about the MDGs, please visit: http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/