A humble Sarvodaya retiree was an insightful character in our group’s Sri Lankan journey.
Windsor is great friends with Dr. Siegle and quickly became one of our most cherished personalities of the trip. He answered any question we posed with thorough background and an adorable grandfather-like smile.
Though my word for Windsor was typically adorable, because he exuded the energy and enthusiasm of a young boy, he also shared wisdom and understanding with stories of experience beyond our years.
Not only was he a wonderful friend and humble shadow in our group, he was also a treasure chest of information regarding Sri Lanka and Sarvodaya.
Over tea at Helga’s Folly, he explained some of Sarvodaya’s media history and also his aspirations for its future.
Windsor said the media unit used to be massive, which it still is, but there is a lack of finances to ensure its quality and strength today.
He explained the main traditional media methods of the organization were, one, at the ground level with inter-village or community networks. The Sarvodaya society carried the messages of shared experiences so different areas could learn from each other, especially about development methods. The most valuable level was in the districts.
The next addition was the newspaper, which was and still is published in Sinhala. The paper focused mostly on Sarvodaya news and events, but there were also articles of national news that could aid people’s efforts for business or development.
The media, Windsor said, plays various roles for the organization, and those are expanding with the need for international attention.
The organization’s media, both print and interpersonal, is a way to inform people of local efforts and mostly highlight developmental progress or goals. What is interesting is outside networks, some which are huge in comparison, contact Sarvodaya for information or sources for their own reports.
During the war and tsunami, Windsor said Sarvodaya journalists were untouchable. As long as the worked within the realm of the NGO, they were safe. He also added that local media worked with the army during the war, which were the sources BBC was most connected to.
Windsor added print and communal media is not enough for today’s time, however, no matter what the focus.
He wants Sarvodaya to have its own radio and television programs to highlight events and publish the agenda. He said even the government could benefit from Sarvodaya having more media attention.
He explained that if attention was given to our groups like ours who engage in volun-tourism, it could attract more like us, which the government would want highlighted to increase one of the nation’s most profitable sectors.
More publicity would also, more importantly, expand Sarvodaya’s influence and awareness. Like the organization’s mission, Windsor aspires the media to be for the people and by the people.
Though Windsor did not specifically say social media and an online presence, these should be included in his theory that more media leads to more financial support.
At a time when Sarvodaya is planning to become self-sustainable due to a decrease in donors, the organization could be reaching out and sending their message they are still in need of support. The country itself is not as developed or high-incomed as reports are saying. There is an imbalance of wealth in the nation, and Sarvodaya still needs funding.
As Windsor said, media is critical for any financial endeavors of Sarvodaya, because it publishes success and attracts more interest.
Windsor is great friends with Dr. Siegle and quickly became one of our most cherished personalities of the trip. He answered any question we posed with thorough background and an adorable grandfather-like smile.
Though my word for Windsor was typically adorable, because he exuded the energy and enthusiasm of a young boy, he also shared wisdom and understanding with stories of experience beyond our years.
Not only was he a wonderful friend and humble shadow in our group, he was also a treasure chest of information regarding Sri Lanka and Sarvodaya.
Over tea at Helga’s Folly, he explained some of Sarvodaya’s media history and also his aspirations for its future.
Windsor said the media unit used to be massive, which it still is, but there is a lack of finances to ensure its quality and strength today.
He explained the main traditional media methods of the organization were, one, at the ground level with inter-village or community networks. The Sarvodaya society carried the messages of shared experiences so different areas could learn from each other, especially about development methods. The most valuable level was in the districts.
The next addition was the newspaper, which was and still is published in Sinhala. The paper focused mostly on Sarvodaya news and events, but there were also articles of national news that could aid people’s efforts for business or development.
The media, Windsor said, plays various roles for the organization, and those are expanding with the need for international attention.
The organization’s media, both print and interpersonal, is a way to inform people of local efforts and mostly highlight developmental progress or goals. What is interesting is outside networks, some which are huge in comparison, contact Sarvodaya for information or sources for their own reports.
During the war and tsunami, Windsor said Sarvodaya journalists were untouchable. As long as the worked within the realm of the NGO, they were safe. He also added that local media worked with the army during the war, which were the sources BBC was most connected to.
Windsor added print and communal media is not enough for today’s time, however, no matter what the focus.
He wants Sarvodaya to have its own radio and television programs to highlight events and publish the agenda. He said even the government could benefit from Sarvodaya having more media attention.
He explained that if attention was given to our groups like ours who engage in volun-tourism, it could attract more like us, which the government would want highlighted to increase one of the nation’s most profitable sectors.
More publicity would also, more importantly, expand Sarvodaya’s influence and awareness. Like the organization’s mission, Windsor aspires the media to be for the people and by the people.
Though Windsor did not specifically say social media and an online presence, these should be included in his theory that more media leads to more financial support.
At a time when Sarvodaya is planning to become self-sustainable due to a decrease in donors, the organization could be reaching out and sending their message they are still in need of support. The country itself is not as developed or high-incomed as reports are saying. There is an imbalance of wealth in the nation, and Sarvodaya still needs funding.
As Windsor said, media is critical for any financial endeavors of Sarvodaya, because it publishes success and attracts more interest.
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