The manager of the sanctuary, Mr. Bala Amara Sekaran said he was touched by the 14th August 2017 disaster, that if people care for animals then we can empathize with human beings reiterating that the sanctuary is creating impact in the community in which it operates with the little resources at its disposal.
Mr. Bala Amara Sekaran furthered that it is an honour for the sanctuary to donate the scholarships to the affected pupils and warned that if the country does not invest in its future generation, then it is doomed assuring that the scholarship program would continue onto secondary level.
The beneficiaries are either orphans or pupils who were affected by the 14th August 2017 flooding and mudslide in the community.
Mr. Bala Amara Sekaran also recalled that the sanctuary provided food aid to over 400 victims of the disaster as well as participated in the search and rescue operation and promised that the scholarship scheme would continue.
The Headwoman of Regent Village, Elenorah Metzger encouraged the pupils to be studious, work hard and disciplined to become successful citizens in society underscoring that the sanctuary donates directly to the beneficiaries instead of going through intermediaries and reiterated that a lot of children died in the disaster.
Elenorah Metzger further warned parents against offering their girls to men for early marriage and sending them to sell instead of going to school promising that she would reward the girl who would come first in the National Primary School Examination reiterating that she would do her best to support the two schools.
The proprietress of the Saio Elementary Community School, Ya Alimamy acclaimed the sanctuary for the gesture, that the sanctuary has been doing well for the school over the years including the donation of learning materials but appealed to government and other well-wishers for support as the school is in dire need of basic facilities.
The head teachers of the two schools appealed to the sanctuary for more support as there are a lot of children who perished and suffered during the disaster that are in dire need of help.
The Education Officer at the sanctuary, Ethel Sillah also urged the pupils to be studious and assured that the scholarship program would continue as one of the benefits of the Tacugama Kinds Education Club reiterating that a lot of children died in the disaster.
Both ceremonies were witnessed by parents of the beneficiaries, staff and pupils of the two schools while a parent rendered the vote of thanks.
Some of the pupils revealed that they would like to become lawyers, doctors, engineers, presidents, ministers and journalists.
The presentation of scholarships to two other schools at Regent, Rural Education Primary and the Church of Christ, totalling 94, continued on Tuesday 14th November 2017.