John Keells Foundation’s English Language Scholarship Programme (ELSP) opened a new chapter in its 10th year of operation with the inclusion of initiatives for differently abled children at the School for the Deaf Ratmalana.

The new initiatives are “English for Pre-Teens” – a one-year long Cambridge Young Learners course for students of Grades 1-3 – and “English for Youth” – a 6-month course targeting vocational trainees of the School.

Both initiatives were inaugurated at a simple ceremony held at the School for the Deaf on 16th July 2014 with the participation of personnel from John Keells Foundation, Gateway Language Centre and the School for the Deaf.

The School Prefects lead singing of the National Anthem …. in sign language

Lighting of the Oil Lamp
Mrs. Samanthika Jayasuriya, the Principal of the School for the Deaf	Carmeline Jayasuriya Head of Operations CSR, John Keells Foundation
Dr. Harsha Alles – Director, Gateway Language Centre	Wathsala Dissanayake – Manager, Gateway Language Centre
Kumudu Munasinghe – Project Champion for John Keells English Language Scholarship Programme	Ms. Nirmalee Wickramasinghe – Manager School for the Deaf, Ratmalana
Mr. Nirosh De Silva – Chairman of the Research & Development Committee of the School	Asanka Pradeep Kumara – Head Prefect of School for the Deaf, Ratmalana
Tharaka Gabriel – English Teacher at the School for the Deaf Ratmalana and the interpreter for the event

Some of the young beneficiaries with their teachers and parents ……..
Welcome address by Mrs. Samanthika Jayasuriya, the Principal of the School for the Deaf	Kumudu Munasinghe, MC for the event

“On behalf of John Keells, I am delighted to inaugurate `English for Pre-Teens’ and `English for Youth’ for the benefit of students of The School for the Deaf in Ratmalana. These latest initiatives are part of the John Keells English Language Scholarship Programme which has empowered over 8000 school children and youth throughout the Island with enhanced English language skills towards improving their opportunities for both education and employment.”

– Carmeline Jayasuriya – Head of Operations CSR, John Keells Foundation

“Gateway is delighted to partner John Keells Foundation in yet another initiative on developing English language skills, this time a novel initiative for the benefit of students of The School for the Deaf in Ratmalana.”

– Dr. Harsha Alles – Director of Gateway Language Centre

John Keells Foundation’s video was played to give an insight to the CSR initiatives of the Group ….	……… and was intently watched by the audience.

“Though handicapped, not discouraged” – The dance troupe in vivid demonstration of the School’s motto

“I am very happy to hear that we are selected to participate in the `English for Youth’ and `English for Pre-Teens’ programs. I think it will be a great opportunity to all of us to improve our knowledge of the English language…… Thank you for giving this golden opportunity to us. We will try to do our best throughout this programme. Once again, thank you very much for starting these programs with us.”

– Vote of Thanks delivered by Dilki Tarika, a student of the School for the Deaf, Ratmalana

The John Keells English Language Scholarship Programme was launched in 2004 with the objective of enhancing English language skills of school children and youth from socially/economically disadvantaged backgrounds throughout the Island towards improving their opportunities for higher learning and sustainable employment.

Over the years, the Programme, owned and managed by John Keells Foundation and implemented through the Gateway Language Centre, has sponsored over 8000 scholarships ranging from the internationally-recognised two-year Edexcel Diploma Programme and 4-6 month foundation courses for school children and school-leavers including the popular and long-running initiative branded as `English for Teens’.

JKF- July 2014