About Us
Update 20 th December 2007
 
     
  Background  
 

The Adoptsrilanka Trust (ASL) was originally set up to assist in tsunami relief by Geoffrey Dobbs, a resident and survivor of the 2004 Asian tsunami. With the initial help of other individuals and expats, his key objective was to assist with rebuilding and rehabilitating local communities on the coastline of Sri Lanka to get their lives back to normal as quickly as possible. Within a month, volunteers from around the world converged on ASL and the project grew from strength to strength. Beyond providing immediate relief, the key focus was to develop projects at the micro level that supplemented the work of charities and NGO's whose focus tended to be at the macro level. ASL set about helping schools, guest houses, the fishing industry, individual livelihoods, housing and also employed a trauma relief team to assist with the psychological fallout of the disaster.

After 2 years, that phase of relief is now over. During 2006 ASL slowly wound down the individual relief assistance programmes and as we approach 2007, have begun turning our attention to the long term second phase development of this disaster affected community.
Click here for ASL achievements

ASL’s policy is to normalise our response to the tsunami, that is now two years past. By collaborating in a joined up way to other humanitarian NGO’s, we are following guidelines that promote self empowerment and self respect. ASL projects are no longer individually assistance driven; instead we focus on projects that serve the community as a whole.

In 2007 we are focusing on four long term projects (See home page). These projects all have been identified in our second phase relief operation as highly deserving and will have direct benefit to deprived communities and children.  With every project we undertake ASL works alongside the relevant government departments so as not to duplicate service provision.

 We noticed that inland communities and school were being ignored. The world media had focused its attention on coastal devastation but little assistance reached the villages and schools inland where loss of life also occurred along with the financial back lash that was country wide. ASL is moving into 2007 with a new mandate that will hopefully benefit these deserving communities.

Geoffrey Dobbs personally managed the relief effort for a year; his energy has been the driving inspiration behind ASL's incredible success. Geoffrey has now returned to his former work but still oversees the Trust’s direction. From December 2005 to January 2006, Sharron Ward ran Adoptsrilanka as the General Manager; previously she was running the Trauma Relief projects for ASL. Sharron has now returned to UK but she maintains a daily interest in the Trust in her new role as an ASL Trustee.The new General Manager of Adoptsrilanka is Laura Fallowfield; a qualified primary school teacher from London.

  
  ASL Team  
  ASL has 10 full time members of staff based in two offices in Galle and Tangalle.  Our main office is in Galle with only the TWINS Project operating out of the office in Tangalle.  
 
 

Bec Lyons, General Manager

I began working with AdoptSriLanka in June 2006 as a Field Officer for the TWINS program, before becoming the Manager of the program. I now work as the General Manager of AdoptSriLanka and feel very privileged to be involved with such an exciting and worthwhile organisation.  I am incredibly lucky to work in such a beautiful country and with such a dynamic and talented team.

     
 

Janaka Jayasuriya , ASL Accountant

I' ve worked for  AdoptSriLanka for over a year as the Accountant. When I took over this job, I had a good idea of what the organisation's objectives were but it was only after I went through the 2005 accounts, that I realised how good this organisation is and how much they have helped the Sri Lankan community get back on their feet in the immediate aftermath of the tsunami.  In the year 2006 and 2007 we have been doing many things to support the Sri Lankan community and I am proud to be part of that.
     
 

Pushpitha Jayasekare, Special Projects Coordinator

I am working with 20 schools, in between Kalutara and Koggala in beautiful Southern Sri Lanka. I have worked for the ASL Team for a year now, gathering more experience, and spreading more energy to make Twins future brighter. There is no doubt that the Twins Programme is giving a meaningful and needy service for Sri Lankan students.
In addition to the role of Field Officer, I organise and manage, Art Workshops, Creative Writing Workshops, Debating Workshops and competitions.I believe that it is excellent and marvellous work that we are doing.

As a local I am proud to work with Twins programme for the development of my motherland and its future.
Cheers!
     
 

Saman Kumara, Twins Field Officer Region 2

I have been working with AdoptSriLanka for nearly 18-months now. At the beginning, I worked in Weligama with the Trauma Relief program.  I found this job very interesting and I believe that it was a great thing to help my country’s people.  After that I worked with AdoptSriLanka’s building projects and did a great service to the community.  Now I am the Field Officer for the Twins Program in Region 2, working with over 20 schools between Habaraduwa and Matara. I wish to dedicate my time working with the Twins Program. I like my job because I can come in contact with many people and I can help them.
     
 

Samanthi Hewage, Twins Field Officer Region 3

I have been working for the Twins program for 16 months. I am responsible for more than 20 schools between the towns of Matara and Tangalle. I am really enjoying working with Adoptsrilanka Twins program. I am very keen in assisting to build a strong relationship between the overseas schools and Sri Lankan schools. I am very proud to be a part of this team, which makes such a big difference to the schools and the children.
     
 

Sujeevani Gajaman, Twins Field Officer Region 3

I work with 16 schools between the towns of Matara and Tangalle. I have been working with Adopt Sri Lanka for nearly 3 months. I think both Sri Lankan and overseas students can learn many things from the twins program. I like to work with the Twins Program and help to strengthen those relationships between schools. I’m proud to be a part of Adopt Sri Lanka Twins Program which will make a difference to a poor student’s future.
     
 

Lisa Lughinbuhl, Tangalle Office Manager

This is my third visit to Sri Lanka. In recent years the Sri Lankan people have always made me feel very welcome and went out of their way to make my stay an unforgettable one. Together with my partner, I have now taken the opportunity to live and work in Sri Lanka for 12 months. I am hoping to give something back to these kind people and their unique island and am keen to support them in their aim for a sustainable future. I feel very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to work for Adopt Sri Lanka Twins program, where we can make a big difference at a local level with mutual benefits for all.
     
  Sahan Chamara, ASL Building Project’s Manager

I am Sahan Chamara and I've worked for Adoptsrilanka for over one year as a project officer.  When I took over this job I was assigned to work with orphan children at Weligama, who had been affected by the 2004 Asian tsunami.  It is good to know how much the organisation has helped them and the rest of the community to get back on their feet in the immediate aftermath of the tsunami. I am proud to be a part of that.

I still continue my work with the orphan children in Weligama, but also I now manage all of ASL building projects which is an interesting and challenging role.
     
  Charmaka Rasintha, ASL Driver

I've worked for over 2 years as the Adopt Sri Lanka driver. My first job was to visit the Weligama Truma clinic with Dr Sharron Ward to see the patients who were suffering from loss due to the tsunami. I drove almost everyday from Galle to Matara to visit various people affected by the tsunami.  Now I am involved in all ASL projects.  I am very happy to be involved in an organisation that truly helps deserving people. 

 

     
  Anusha Liyanage, TWINS Region 1 Field Officer

I am Anusha and I am the field officer of TWINS Region 1. I have recently started working with AdoptSriLanka’s TWINS Program. I like to work with the TWINS program and help to create a meaningful relationship between schools.  From AdoptSriLanaka twins program Sri Lankan and overseas students can get great benefits. I think this job is a great chance to help my motherland and Sri Lankan student’s future. I am very proud to be a member of AdoptSriLanka team