My Friend Foundation, an organization focused on improving the lives of children in underprivileged schools, launched an innovative programme named ‘English for All’ on September 25th. 

This programme aims to improve the English language skills of students in underprivileged schools where they have limited access to English language skills development.

The ‘English for All’ programme is a collaboration between My Friend Foundation, City and Guilds, Rotaract District 3220 and supported by British Council. The programme will be carried out across 30 schools and provide learning opportunities for more than 700 school children.

“The lack of English language skills holds back many children from moving forward in their higher education,” says Hameedia Managing Director and My Friend Foundation Co-Founder Fouzul Hameed. “English is now a prerequisite for finding employment and for higher studies. Our aim is to ensure that children from low economic backgrounds have access to learning English and with this skill they will be able to find good jobs and improve their lives, ensuring a better future for their whole family.”

In addition to working directly with the students of the selected schools, the ‘English for All’ programme will also work with teachers and educators, introducing them to new techniques of teaching English as a second language and working with them to create an environment where the students will effectively and enthusiastically practice their English language skills. The English for All programme will included the inputs of several Guest Speakers: Radio host, actor, model and entertainer Danu Innasithamby, Training Consortium (Pvt.) Ltd Director Manisha K. Gunawardena and City and Guilds Business Development General Manager Fahim Shakoor.

Wilbert Ranasinghe, winner of the Derana Sri Lankan of the Year 2016 Unsung Hero award and retired English teacher of Ketawala Maha Vidyalaya who created an effective English teaching system for underprivileged students also shared his expertise with the teachers and the students. Several students from Ketawala Maha Vidyalaya also shared their experiences at the event.

City and Guilds will provide learning materials for the ‘English for All’ programme. Rotaract District 3220 will also be involved in the monitoring and progress of the English for All programme by liaising with the teachers and other educators by providing inputs and resources as needed.