Our Journey Through Time

25+ years of transformative work for children in Sri Lanka

Our Historical Timeline

From humble beginnings to becoming a beacon of hope for children in Sri Lanka

1996
  • The Butterfly Peace Garden Inauguration - 11.09.1996
  • Funding support – Canada Health, Canadian High Commission SLCDF
  • Staff Trainings – Cultivation of Peace (Garden Path and Methods of Play therapy) by Paul Hogan
  • The group of Garden friends was strengthened
  • Children's Program – Thursday, Friday (After School) & Saturday, Sunday (Full Day)
  • The bus was donated (Fuzo) by WUSC
1997
  • First story book was published – "Blood of the Mango"
  • Funding support – Canada Health, Canadian High Commission SLCDF
  • World University Service Canada Donated Fuso Bus
  • Children's program – three groups (150 Children)
1998
  • We started street drama for awareness
  • HIVOS Funding
  • Research of BPG Program Development – Robert Chase process
  • Children's program – three groups (150 children)
1999
  • New Van (Toyota) purchased – 253-4707
  • Funder - HIVOS, Netherlands
  • Capacity Building for BPG Staff by Paul Hogan and Keneth Bush, Canada
  • Challenge - The paradox of the Muslim community in Eravur
  • 3rd Grand Opera on April
  • Established Publication unit for Kattadi Magazine
2000
  • Funder - HIVOS, Netherlands
  • Residential Program with Sinhala community (CCYD) at Anamaduwa, Puttalam
  • Staff Training "play Therapy" - Citra Segar, India/ Canada
  • Children program and 4th Grand opera
2001
  • Continued HIVOS funding and Netherlands Embassy support
  • Expansion of training programs
  • New initiatives in psychosocial support
  • Strengthening of community partnerships
2002
  • International collaborations expanded
  • New methodologies in trauma healing introduced
  • Increased focus on inter-ethnic reconciliation
  • 5th Grand Opera production
2003
  • Tsunami emergency psychosocial support program initiated
  • Village Gardens opened in Thiraimadu and Karbala
  • New staff recruited for expanded programs
  • Increased beneficiary reach
2004
  • Expanded response to tsunami aftermath
  • New therapeutic programs developed
  • Increased international recognition
  • Strengthened partnerships with local communities
2005
  • Consolidation of post-tsunami programs
  • New training initiatives for local facilitators
  • Expansion of publication activities
  • 6th Grand Opera production
2006
  • 10th Year Anniversary Celebration with Grand Exhibition
  • Increased beneficiary numbers to 450 children
  • New land purchased at Kothukulam
  • Canadian Red Cross donated new bus
2007
  • Implemented Prison Program
  • Ex-Combatant Rehabilitation initiatives
  • New therapeutic approaches developed
  • Strengthened monitoring and evaluation systems
2008
  • Expansion of peace education programs
  • New partnerships with educational institutions
  • Development of training manuals
  • 7th Grand Opera production
2009
  • Post-war reconciliation programs
  • New initiatives for war-affected children
  • Staff capacity building programs
  • Expansion of publication unit
2010
  • Continued residential programs
  • New therapeutic approaches
  • Community-based peace initiatives
  • 8th Grand Opera production
2011
  • Staff reductions due to funding challenges
  • New Garden Infrastructure Development
  • Volunteer programs strengthened
  • Focus on sustainability initiatives
2012
  • Continued core programs
  • New partnerships developed
  • Capacity building for local staff
  • Community outreach expanded
2013
  • Shifted to New Garden location
  • New therapeutic programs initiated
  • 9th Grand Opera production
  • Strengthened volunteer network
2014
  • New funding partnerships
  • Expansion of training programs
  • Community-based initiatives
  • Publication of new materials
2015
  • Volunteer services maintained
  • New therapeutic approaches
  • 10th Grand Opera production
  • Strengthened monitoring systems
2016
  • State Drama Award to BPG Team
  • GIZ Funding for innovative programs
  • 20th Anniversary celebrations
  • New training initiatives
2017
  • Registration as an NGO under Voluntary Social Services Organizations
  • New community partnerships
  • Expansion of therapeutic programs
  • 11th Grand Opera production
2018
  • Development of Out of the Box Curriculum
  • New training manuals published
  • Expansion of peace education
  • Community reconciliation programs
2019
  • New international partnerships
  • Capacity building programs
  • 12th Grand Opera production
  • Expansion of publication activities
2020
  • Adaptation to COVID-19 with home-based programs
  • New online initiatives
  • Community support programs
  • Strengthened monitoring systems
2021
  • Expansion of online training programs
  • Projects with IOM and UNDP
  • New peacebuilding initiatives
  • 13th Grand Opera (virtual production)
2022
  • Multiple projects with World Vision
  • Social cohesion programs
  • New constitution finalized
  • Hybrid program delivery
2023
  • Friends of the Garden group formed
  • New international collaborations
  • 25+ years celebration
  • Future vision development

Key Milestones

1.5 Million

Children reached through our programs

55+

Publications produced

50+

Animators trained

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