Progress Update Year-End 2025

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: BUILDING BRIDGES WITH JASON & DEANO

We often talk about the “Symbioun Spirit,” but this month, that spirit was brought to life by two incredible volunteers: Jason and Deano. Their visit wasn’t just a trip to Sri Lanka; it was a masterclass in community, contribution, and cultural immersion.

✈️ A JOURNEY WITH A MISSION

The journey began with a smile. Flying in with Sri Lankan Airlines, Jason and Deano arrived with a contagious energy and a sincere desire to move beyond the typical tourist path. From the moment they landed, it was clear they were here to make a tangible difference.

💪 ROLLING UP SLEEVES: THE IMPACT OF THEIR WORK

Jason and Deano didn’t shy away from the hard work. They dived headfirst into “odd jobs” across our projects, providing much-needed hands-on support:

• Operational Support: From helping organize farm materials to assisting in the day-to-day maintenance of our herbal garden initiatives, their “can-do” attitude helped us streamline several tasks that had been on our backlog.
• Community Hall Restoration: When the severe monsoon rains hit, threatening our local community hall and dampening the spirits of our students, Jason and Deano were there. Their presence and hard work during the storms provided more than just physical labor—it gave hope to the children and families during a challenging week.

🍃 LIVING LIKE LOCALS: CULTURAL CONNECTION

True to the Symbioun philosophy, Jason and Deano didn’t just work here; they lived here. They traded luxury transport for the iconic tuk-tuk, navigating our local roads like pros.

One of the most beautiful highlights was seeing them integrated into the community. Whether it was:

• Sharing a traditional meal of Pol Roti and Sambal with a local family.
• Enjoying a hot cup of Sri Lankan tea while discussing farm operations.
• Joining a community table for a classic rice and curry feast.

They showed us that the best way to understand a culture is through its kitchen and its people.

💬 A LASTING LEGACY

As they departed, they left behind more than just repaired walls and organized tools. They left behind friendships. Jason and Deano proved that when we open our hearts and our lands to global volunteers, the harvest is much more than crops—it’s a global family.

Their visit has reinforced the core values of our mission, showing that while our physical projects like the farm and the community hall are vital, the human connections built along the way are the true measure of our success. The “Symbioun Spirit” remains stronger than ever thanks to their genuine dedication and warmth.

“They came as visitors, worked as partners, and left as family.”

A massive thank you to Jason and Deano for your sweat, your smiles, and your service. You are always
welcome back to the Symbioun farm!

🌾 HARVESTS, GROWTH, AND NEW BEGINNINGS

It has been a season of transition and steady progress across the Symbioun projects. From the quiet
cycles of the soil to the buzzing energy of our digital launch, here is what’s happening on the ground.

📍 Thikiliveddai Farm: A Season of Transition

As the current growing season reaches a natural halt, we are taking a moment to reflect on a successful harvest. Our fields were recently filled with cluster beans, long beans, and bottle gourds, all of which have now been gathered.

We aren’t slowing down for long, though! The land is already being prepared for its next chapter, where we will be planting:

• Manioc: Preparing the ground for this essential root crop alongside our recurring seasonal selections.
• Ongoing Farm Life: Beyond the fields, our resident cattle are providing a steady 2.5 liters of fresh milk every day, supporting the farm’s self-sufficiency.

📍 Mavadivembu: Innovation in the Soil

December has officially concluded at Mavadivembu, marking the end of a busy cycle. Our leafy
greens were successfully harvested and immediately replanted to ensure a continuous supply.

Seedlings & Sustainability

Nursery Success Our seedling project is in full swing. We currently have robust Brinjal, Capsicum, and Chili seedlings available for sale to local growers.

The Fertilizer Project While we did harvest a good 15kg of vermicompost in October, we also believe in learning from the soil. Our earthworm fertilizer project faced some hurdles with the rate of biodegradation. To assist the natural decomposition process, we have implemented the following:

• Natural Integration: We have integrated cow dung into the mix to ensure the organic matter breaks down effectively.
• Scaling Production: We have established a brand-new composting bed to scale up our organic fertilizer production.
• Future Preparation: These efforts are in preparation for a massive new round of cultivation beginning this January.

🎨 Batti Women’s Crafts: Heritage Meets Modern Trends

Our talented artisans in Batticaloa are continuing to push the boundaries of traditional craft. While our coconut-based creations remain a staple of our heritage collection, our new resin keytags have become an instant hit!

The community favorites are currently:

• Personalized name initials: Custom-crafted pieces that have quickly become our top sellers.
• Elegant shapes: Classic round and heart-shaped designs that appeal to a wide variety of tastes.

These small pieces of art are proving to be “fast-movers,” helping provide steady livelihoods for the women in the program.

📱 Follow Our Journey on TikTok!
We have officially entered the world of short-form video! We launched a dedicated
TikTok account to showcase the incredible skill and stories behind Batti Women’s Crafts.
Show us some love and follow the journey here: 👉 tiktok.com/@battiwomencrafts

🎄Oli Vizha 2025: A Celebration of Community & Christmas Cheer

On December 20, 2025, our community gathered at BT/KK/ Mavadivembu Vigneswara Vidyalaya for “Oli Vizha,” a beautiful event proudly organized by the Symbiosophy Education Foundation to commemorate the Christmas season.

From 9:30 am to 1:00 pm, the venue was transformed into a space of reflection and celebration, making it truly a day filled with blessings and joy. This festive gathering brought together students, families, and community members to share in the spirit of the season through seasonal carols, cultural performances, and a shared sense of gratitude.

✨ Festive Highlights

The morning’s agenda was a vibrant tapestry of tradition, performance, and gratitude:

• Honoring Tradition: The event commenced with the formal welcoming of guests and the symbolic lighting of the oil lamp, followed by a meaningful opening devotion.
• Art and Song: The festive spirit was kept high with several carols and a variety of cultural performances, including a welcome dance, a group dance, an engaging drama, and a group song.
• Inspiring Addresses: Attendees listened to a series of insightful speeches, including a welcome speech, the Chairperson’s address, and several keynote addresses from our Guests of Honor.
• Joy and Prizes: The celebration included a prize-giving ceremony to recognize local achievements, reaching a peak of excitement with the grand arrival of Santa.
• Gratitude: The event concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks, acknowledging everyone who made the day possible.

The success of Oli Vizha was made even more special by the presence of esteemed community leaders and partners.

We were also privileged to welcome Special Guests representing a wide range of organizations, including the National Craft Council, World Vision Lanka, the Japan Karate Maruyoshikai Organization, and the Rural Development Society of Mavadivembu. This diverse gathering highlighted the strong network of support surrounding the Mavadivembu community and the Symbiosophy Education Foundation.

Mavadivembu Classes: Kids Empowerment

Our daily schedule remains a vibrant hub of activity. Even as the seasons change, our commitment to these “agents of change” remains steadfast:

• Discipline & Focus: Through Karate and Yoga, students are learning the art of self-discipline and mental clarity. These practices teach them to remain calm under pressure and move with purpose.
• Physical Vitality: Regular Exercise sessions ensure that our youth stay active, healthy, and energized.

We are preparing our students for a future without boundaries. By breaking the “school-to-job” cycle, we are opening doors to global opportunities:

• The Language of Opportunity: Our English classes are bridging the gap to the global community, giving kids the confidence to share their stories with the world.
• Digital Literacy: Through IT and Innovation Classes, students are moving from being passive consumers of technology to becoming creators and problem-solvers. They are encouraged to think “outside the box” and find inventive solutions for their community.

🍛 Fueling the Future: Nutrition First

We know that a hungry mind cannot learn. To ensure every child can give their best to their studies and their training, we continue to provide wholesome, nutritious meals as a standard part of our daily program. Seeing the children sit together, sharing a meal and a laugh after a hard Karate session or a focused IT class, is a beautiful reminder of the community we are building.

🌊 Rising Above the Waters: Our Response to Cyclone Ditwah

The closing months of 2025 brought a trial unlike any we have seen in decades. As Cyclone Ditwah swept across Sri Lanka, it unleashed a relentless monsoon that transformed our landscapes and challenged our resilience. The Batticaloa district, the heart of much of our work, was among the hardest hit, with widespread inundation and landslides cutting off entire communities.

For Symbioun, this wasn’t just a weather event; it was a call to action. The rising waters tested every project we have built, from the structural integrity of our community spaces to the survival of our newly planted fields. In the face of such overwhelming natural force, our focus shifted instantly from long-term development to immediate survival and community support. We stood side-by-side with the families of Mavadivembu, proving that the foundation of our work is not just built on the land, but on the unbreakable bonds of the people who call it home.

🆘 Compassion in the Current

Working through the peak of the storms in late November and early December, the Symbioun team mobilized to provide immediate relief to those displaced by the floods. Our efforts focused on:

• Essential Dry Rations: Ensuring families had access to rice, flour, and lentils when local markets became inaccessible.
• Emergency Supplies: Distributing hygiene kits and basic necessities to victims who had lost their belongings to the rising waters.

🙏 A Message of Gratitude

This relief work was made possible by the collective energy of our supporters and the
bravery of our local team members who waded through floods to deliver hope.

We are grateful for the overwhelming support from the community and our dedicated team who have made these programs a reality.

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