15 Years one world foundation free education unit Sri Lanka
15 Years one world foundation free education unit Sri Lanka
15 Years one world foundation free education unit Sri Lanka
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as grandmothers are called in Singhalese, and until<br />
his death Joseph Ortner was Milli’s “Sia”, the most<br />
loving grandfather that <strong>one</strong> could possibly imagine.<br />
When the tsunami hit in 2004, I experienced<br />
from afar how everything appeared to be lost from<br />
<strong>one</strong> moment to the next. Kathrin and Joseph ran<br />
for their lives, fleeing from the water. On that 26<br />
December we first heard Joseph on our voicemail,<br />
reporting that they were alive. At the time no <strong>one</strong><br />
in Austria understood what had happened in the<br />
Indian Ocean. They never considered giving up.<br />
Everything was still covered in mud when they<br />
started rebuilding.<br />
Together with Charlie Pruscha, Joseph developed<br />
a modular structure that was to be the principle<br />
behind the new school. Those who travel today<br />
to Wathuregama will see that the <strong>one</strong> <strong>world</strong> <strong>foundation</strong><br />
facilities are more extensive and sophisticated<br />
than ever.<br />
People from wealthy countries come here for<br />
their holidays and in doing so help children and<br />
young persons from socially disadvantaged circumstances<br />
to advance. The revenue from the Bogen -<br />
villya guesthouse is invested in <strong>education</strong>al facili-<br />
14<br />
ties, the <strong>free</strong> <strong>education</strong> <strong>unit</strong>s, where 1,000 children,<br />
juveniles and adults, particularly women, are<br />
taught. Since March this year the <strong>one</strong> <strong>world</strong> <strong>foundation</strong><br />
school has even been recognised as an official<br />
<strong>education</strong>al institute thanks to the cooperation with<br />
NAITA (National Apprentice and Industrial Training<br />
Authority).<br />
Joseph Ortner died in March 2009. Even while<br />
mourning this loss Kathrin Messner did not despair.<br />
She continued their joint work, and if Joseph<br />
were to return he would be amazed at the strength,<br />
commitment and imagination with which Kathrin<br />
manages the <strong>one</strong> <strong>world</strong> <strong>foundation</strong> today. I can<br />
imagine Joseph smiling mischievously but also with<br />
satisfaction at the enthusiasm of the entire team.<br />
The <strong>one</strong> <strong>world</strong> <strong>foundation</strong> lives. For <strong>15</strong> years the<br />
project has continued to develop. It repeatedly surprises<br />
us with new ideas. State-of-the-art solar collectors<br />
are to be installed on the roof of the school.<br />
For some months artists have been able to work in<br />
a studio and exhibit their work here. However well<br />
established the <strong>one</strong> <strong>world</strong> <strong>foundation</strong> might be, it<br />
still appears as young, new and innovative as if it<br />
had just been set up.
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