At the Buddhi Preschool, a community walks the path to peace and reconciliation

Since its founding in 2014, the Buddhi Preschool in Vavuniya, Sri Lanka, (formerly known as Tachibana Preschool) has welcomed children of all religions and ethnicities – a powerful symbol of multi-religious collaboration and resilience in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province.

In early November, the community celebrated the preschool, expressing gratitude to the Tachibana Sangyo Co. for its critical support and naming its new school library in honour of Rev. Norio Sakai. The late Rev. Sakai was a former Chairman of Risho Kosei kai and the Japanese Trustees Group of Religions for Peace International.

“Rev. Sakai was devoted to the school,” said Rev. Yoshinori Shinohara, Secretary General of Religions for Peace Asia, speaking to those assembled on a bright sunny day for the celebration. They included religious leaders representing the Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, and Islamic communities.

“He told us, we must live for others. And he said we must work for each other – it is no good to do good things on one’s own, we must collaborate. And finally, he said, smile!”

Religions for Peace Deputy Secretary General Deepika Singh joined religious leaders in lighting a ceremonial lamp at the opening of the event.

“Here, in the heart of Vavuniya, we see the power of education and unity taking root,” she said. “By investing in this multi-religious school, Tachibana has nurtured the next generation with the understanding and respect they need to build a future of lasting peace.”

A Beacon of Hope for Peace and Reconciliation

With support from Tachibana, the Sri Lanka Council of Religions for Peace set up the school in 2014 to meet the small community’s educational needs. Its location in Northern Province was deeply meaningful – it is among the country’s most diverse areas, with multiple ethnicities and faiths living side by side.

The country’s civil war had formally ended only five years earlier in 2009, and the hard work of building peace had to be supported and nurtured. Starting the preschool was a small but symbolic act, an expression of faith and hope for the diverse population to rebuild local trust and respect.

The first cohort of students included 60 Buddhist, Christian, and Hindu children; a nearby Islamic school was meeting the needs of Muslim children.

Rev. Sakai participated in the 2014 opening ceremony as part of a Japanese delegation along with Sri Lankan leaders, which included Ven. Prof. Bellanwila Wimalaratana Nayaka Thero, Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Nayaka Thero, Prof. Medawachchiye Dhammajothi Thero, Mrs. Christobel Saverimuttu and other Executive Committee members of the Sri Lanka Council of Religions for Peace.

Resilient in the Face of Financial Pressure

From its inception until early 2020, Rev. Sakai and other benefactors in Japan financed the preschool’s operations. But in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic triggered major financial stress – compounding underlying economic pressures. Fees were introduced for the first time, and the school relocated to Erati Periyakulam, near Vavuniya, and was renamed Buddhi Preschool.

New financial support from the school’s original donors in 2021 allowed the school to pay teachers’ salaries in arrears. Venerable Dr. Rev. Wadinagala Pannaloka, Secretary General of the Sri Lanka Council of Religions for Peace, said that though finances remain a critical issue, the community’s support has ensured the school’s continued operation.

“In a poor area, it is difficult for families to afford school fees,” Ven. Pannaloka said during the recent celebration, calling on the community to continue its support. “The school has been symbolic of the understanding and the respect necessary to build peace and reconciliation.”

Today the school has four teachers and 40 students in three classes – pre-school (children aged 2½ to 3); lower kindergarten (ages 3 to 4); and upper kindergarten (ages 4 to 5). Classes are taught in in the area’s three languages – English, Sinhalese, and Tamil.

Buddhi Preschool Looks Ahead

Former students hosted the recent celebration, which featured performances by children from each class – singing, dancing and reciting poetry. A former student lauded the school’s survival – and thanked the community for sustaining it.

“I did not recognize at the time, being so small, that I was in a school with students from different backgrounds,” said Kamal, who today lives in Colombo working in information technology. “But I learned later how important it is to have friends from different backgrounds. You build relationships and learn that someone who is different is not an enemy, but a friend. You learn so much.”

The community remains steadfast in its support – and Rev. Shinohara announced new support from Tachibana at the celebration. Additional support from the Sri Lanka Council of Religions for Peace allowed the school to acquire new books and furniture, as well as complete major renovations which were on display during the celebration.

“The Buddhi Preschool is an example of the power of multireligious collaboration – of peace in action,” said Ms. Singh, reflecting on the ceremony. “In northern Sri Lanka, its presence is particularly poignant, truly a beacon of hope for the country’s peace and reconciliation.”