It's the day before the Home Coming of Shan and Udari. This is the celebration of the newly married couple returning to the home of the grroms parents to start their married life.
In Sri Lankan tradition, the newly married couple either live with the groom's family or independently. In Shan and Udari's case, it will be with his parents. They are awaiting Air Force married quarters and once they're granted, they'll move there.
The room I'm sleeping is being converted into their room. Tomorrow I'm moving out into another place in the house.
There's cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning going on. All sorts of relatives have arrived to make sure everything is spic and span for tomorrow's event.
Tomorrow we'll just do the last minute things inside as the caterers prepare the outside with shelter, seating and the food. It's the inter country monsoon here now and each afternoon and early evening the heavens open and rain buckets down. We're all just hoping and praying that it rains early tomorrow and the evening is rain free.
There are aproximately 100 people expected to come to the Home Coming and the function is to be an outdoors functon. If it rains that heavy tropical rain, where do those 100 people go.
I've been helping to cook, yesterday it was sweets and today as the experienced family members make the more specialised sweets, I've just been helping to prepare the food for everyone to eat. Fortunately I can cook curry so when given the name of the dish, I know what the vegetables should look like.
The men have cleaned the vacant land next door for people to park on, they've erected an awning on the roof of the house, I think that's where they'll go to drink and make loud music.
It's peaceful here now, the girls are in the back room sewing frilly bed sheets for the married couple and they'll be put onto the bed tomorrow after I vacate the room.
I'm relishing the tranquil time although Duneth who's 7 has just come running through the house with his home made aeroplane.
I'll go to the kitchen now and watch the women make the toffee. If I can help, I will. If not I'll just sit and enjoy the chat and laughter with them.
Sunday, 30 October 2011
Saturday, 29 October 2011
The wedding eve and wedding day
It's the day before the wedding and there's now 21 people spending the night at Raja's home. Mostly his wife's sisters, their husbands and children.
Shan the groom has been gone for most of the day doing last minute things and will collect two of his Airforce friends to also come and spend the night.
All the girls are having a show and tell with their sari's and they all look so bright and beautiful. The older ladies are being quiet conservative with colour but the younger one's are wearing bright colours, some with shoestring backs and others with the more traditional blouse style.
There are two ways to wear a sari, one is the Kandyan style. That's where the 9mt length of fabric is wound around the body with a frill at the waist. The rest of the fabric is pleated and pinned to the blouse and arranged over the shoulder.
The other style is the Indian style. This style is also where the fabric is wound around the body and pleated at the front with the remaining fabric attached to the back of the shoulder and you carry the decorative end over your left arm. This is the style that I choose. I think this is a much more glamorous style and more suited to the older woman, like me.
It's time to iron the sari's for the next morning. We will need to get to bed early as we need to be up at about 4.30am to get dressed and head to the hairdresser for 7am to enable us to leave at 8.30am for a 10am wedding. Yes, I said a 4.30am rise.
Finally it's my turn to iron my sari which is 9 mts of silk fabric. I'm very nervous that I'llput a hole in it, the irons temperature is unpredictable. The others seem to have it down pat but I'm becoming frustrated and the more I try the worse I think it looks.
I decide at about 10.30 to give up and go to bed. Sleep was hard to come by as I was conscious that I needed to be up with the rest of the family.
I'd just nodded off to sleep at around 12.30am when Shan and his two friends arrived home. Although they tried to be quiet, at that time of the night when all is still, every small noise is amplified. The sliding gate opens, the car doors bang, voices are loud for that time of the night. You see, my room is at the front of Raja's home and within 4mts of the road and their front garden is basically the car parking area.
The two airforce boys are sleeping in the lounge room which my room comes off. By the time they shower and settle to sleep it's now close to 1.30am. All I can think about is that 4.30am will come around very quickly and the more I think the harder it is to sleep.
Over the next few hours, I hear every noise from everyone in the house. It appears that no one is able to sleep so when 4.30 comes around, I'm awake and up with everyone else.
I see Shan just after I've showered. He appears very relaxed but I remember those nerves. He and his two friends need to leave the house at 6am to go to the hotel where the wedding is to be held and meet with the Bride and have photographs taken, so before I know it, the wedding cars arrived and Shan the groom) and his friends are off.
It's time for me to get dressed into the sari before we head to the hairdresser. One of the neices is dressing me and a couple of other people and time is moving on quickly. There's no time for breakfast, I don't want to cause any holdups on this very important day.
Nadee comes, on goes the bra with the straps adjusted tightly and then the sari blouse. No time to be shy here, a lot to do and not much time to do it. Next goes the underskirt, its a bit too big but not to worry now. The drawsting at the waistis drawn astight as I've every had anything around my waist. It's tight because it needs to hold the sari in place. The sari gets tucked into it.
Now it's time to wrap that 9 mts of fabric around me. Three times around it goes and then five 6 inch pleats in the front at the right, this all gets tucked into the waist. I really don't know how many safety pins are used to keep it all in place but I'm just praying it's enough. By now I feel trussed up like a turkey but in a strange way, I feel very elegant.
After the pinning, and tucking, the final stage of attaching the pins at the back of the shoulder which holds the decorative piece in place and some final adjustments can be made once I get back from the hairdresser.
So now, Lakshika and Gayanthika are ready and we're in the tuk tuk heading to the local haridresser. I have been growing my hair so that I can have some style but when I see the girls here, my hair's still way too short for much at all. Anyway, I'll try.
I am the first in the chair, the young girls simply says that she can do a small tie up at the back and make some longer curls from the hanging ends. I agree and trust that she will know what will look nice. Remember, I have my sari on so she can work with that as well.
After about 20mins, I'm finished and I'm happy with the result. Lots of curls at the back and a small side sweep of my fringe. It's combed and teased at the top so it's not flat on my head.
I head back home alone to do my make up. It's now close to 8am and I try to eat some breakfast, traditional milk rice and onion sambal. Two of the sisters were up at 2.30am cooking enough for all of the 23 people who will need to eat breakfast.
After trying to eat a little, I head to the mirror to put on the make up and have the final adjustment of the sari. I'm just hoping with the humidity that my makeup doesn't run off before we arrive at the hotel. Anway, the private bus that's been ordered to take us all to the wedding will be airconditioned so it should be OK.
I'm just finished with the make up when the bus arrives. Arjith, a family friend is driving the bus so I know that we will reach there on time.
Everyone is ready but the two girls are still at the hairdresser. We need to leave the house at 8.30am to make the short but slow trip the 9k's to the hotel. We all board the bus, the neighbours are all out to see how we all look. They all call to me to tell me how nice I look. This makes me very happy. I feel good wearing a sari to the wedding to make all these friends and neighbours happy and to visibly let them know that I respect their customs.
The decision is made to leave the house and head to the hairdresser and collect the girls there. It's just a few minutes away and on our way. We wait and wait for what seems to be an eternity, one of the mothers goes to the salon, she comes out but still no girls. Finally at 9.10am they appear. They are beautiful but lots of heckling once they get onto the bus.
Finally we're on our way and Ajith is driving swiftly. He's blaring the horn to go past everyone on the road in our way. Once out of the traffic, he drives as if he has a bus load of VIP's, in fact he does really. As the minutes tick by, we're getting closer and closer to the hotel. Finally we arrive with 10 minutes to spare.
This is a traditional Poruwa Ceremony and Shan is in the Sri Lankan Air Force so there's a lot of pagaentry that will go with this wedding.
We all assemble in the foyer of the hotel to be escorted up the stairs by traditional Kandyan dancers and drummers and then we are led into the wedding area. The dancers and drummers return to the foyer to lead the Bride (Udari) and her side of the family up the stairs to where we are all waiting for them. She looks beautiful in her Kandyan wedding dress which is heavily embroidered.
All of the traditional features of the ceremony take place, the parents receive their gifts, the coconut is broken and before too long it's all over. They leave the wedding stage under a guard of honour from the Sri Lankan Air Force. It's all very nice and I'm loving being part of it all.
Now that the ceremony is over, I make my way to the tables to greet the family members and friends who I know. I didn't realise that a lot of people know about me and many many times, I was taken away and introduced to another person who tells me, "I've heard all about you Miss Julia".
Many many people compliment me on wearing a sari and tell me how beautiful I look. I am really pleased that I made the decision to wear a sari and took the time to choose a coloour that complimented my skin colour. It's yellow in colour, not too bright but also not a pastel either. It is decorated with beautiful sequined flowers. It's very fitting for the occasion. I'm amazed at how comfortable I feel wearing a sari, totally feminine.
All the guests are seated and it's time for lunch, a traditional Sri Lankan rice and curry lunch. I sit with Palitha and his wife Julitha. Palitha is the shippng company CEO and Raja has struck up a good friendship with him and decided to invite him and his wife to the wedding. That was such a nice thing to do.
I can't eat much lunch or drink too much, I'm a little nervous of needing to go to the toilet. After we eat it's time for dancing. Normally at a Sri Lankan wedding, the men dominate the dance floor but a few of the female members of the family and I have decided that we will take to the dance floor and give them a little competition.
A lot of the Air Force boys are dancing and by now, they've consumed a lot of alcohol and their mood is lively to say the least. The music's lively and we head for the dance floor. There's not much room but we manage to take over a fair portion of the floor and immediately the Air Force guys spy the young girls and try to engage them in dancing with them. The girls look hautily away but I'm sure they're flattered. It's all part of the game if I remember.
We dance and dance to many songs as the afternoon goes by and more and more women take the opportunity to join us. Something that I was told very rarely happens.
It's now time for photo's of each guest with the Bride and Groom. Shan beckons me to come onto the stage and have a photo with him and Udari.
Before we know it, it's time for the Bride and Groom to leave. Udari is dressed in a beautiful grey satin gown that's embroidered at the bottom with blue jewels in the shape of flowers. The top is simple with shoe string straps tht are also bejewelled.
They head to the foyer and true to Military form, they play a prank. Somehow, Shan is in the boot of the car with a suitcase. Not sure how that happened but the boys and other guests were in fits of laughter. A great spectacle for people passing by as well.
Shan and Udari are to head to the Air Force base at Rathmalana where they are to take a short helicopter ride before returning to the hotel for the night and the following day, head on their honeymoon.
We all board our bus for the return journey to Raja's home. In the morning, there was a lot of laughter and gaiety on the journey to the wedding, now its after 5pm and most people are so very tired. I know that I just want to have a cup of tea.
They journey home takes a fairly long time, it's peak hour traffic and in Colombo that means a disaster. Anyway, within an hour, we're home and I'm starting to remove my sari. I'm not sure where to start, there are so many pins. I gradually get it all unpinned and take it off. It's a relief but in a strange way, it means that all of the day's festivities are over.
Now the hair, so much hairspray and so many pins. After about 10 minutes, I'm ready for the shower and how delightful it was to have that cool Colombo water run over my body and to get my hair washed.
We're allvery tired and all I want to do is have a cup of tea and go to bed. But, the sisters are cooking rice and curry for everyone and one can never refuse so I try to stay awake until it's time to eat. I eat a little, brush my teeth and head to bed. It's just after 9pm now and within about 45mins, the house is in darkness, everyone is in bed and sleep comes very easily.
Now we just have the Home Coming to get through and that will take place at the house on Monday 31st October and then it's all over.
I've had such a wonderful time, Raja's family have made me feel so welcome and an important part of this very important occasion.
In Life, one doesn't always get to experience what I've experienced on my many trips to Sri Lanka. All of this has been made possible because Raja, his wife Daya, their two sons Sasitha (Shan) and Pulasthi have made me feel a part of their family.
Shan the groom has been gone for most of the day doing last minute things and will collect two of his Airforce friends to also come and spend the night.
All the girls are having a show and tell with their sari's and they all look so bright and beautiful. The older ladies are being quiet conservative with colour but the younger one's are wearing bright colours, some with shoestring backs and others with the more traditional blouse style.
There are two ways to wear a sari, one is the Kandyan style. That's where the 9mt length of fabric is wound around the body with a frill at the waist. The rest of the fabric is pleated and pinned to the blouse and arranged over the shoulder.
The other style is the Indian style. This style is also where the fabric is wound around the body and pleated at the front with the remaining fabric attached to the back of the shoulder and you carry the decorative end over your left arm. This is the style that I choose. I think this is a much more glamorous style and more suited to the older woman, like me.
It's time to iron the sari's for the next morning. We will need to get to bed early as we need to be up at about 4.30am to get dressed and head to the hairdresser for 7am to enable us to leave at 8.30am for a 10am wedding. Yes, I said a 4.30am rise.
Finally it's my turn to iron my sari which is 9 mts of silk fabric. I'm very nervous that I'llput a hole in it, the irons temperature is unpredictable. The others seem to have it down pat but I'm becoming frustrated and the more I try the worse I think it looks.
I decide at about 10.30 to give up and go to bed. Sleep was hard to come by as I was conscious that I needed to be up with the rest of the family.
I'd just nodded off to sleep at around 12.30am when Shan and his two friends arrived home. Although they tried to be quiet, at that time of the night when all is still, every small noise is amplified. The sliding gate opens, the car doors bang, voices are loud for that time of the night. You see, my room is at the front of Raja's home and within 4mts of the road and their front garden is basically the car parking area.
The two airforce boys are sleeping in the lounge room which my room comes off. By the time they shower and settle to sleep it's now close to 1.30am. All I can think about is that 4.30am will come around very quickly and the more I think the harder it is to sleep.
Over the next few hours, I hear every noise from everyone in the house. It appears that no one is able to sleep so when 4.30 comes around, I'm awake and up with everyone else.
I see Shan just after I've showered. He appears very relaxed but I remember those nerves. He and his two friends need to leave the house at 6am to go to the hotel where the wedding is to be held and meet with the Bride and have photographs taken, so before I know it, the wedding cars arrived and Shan the groom) and his friends are off.
It's time for me to get dressed into the sari before we head to the hairdresser. One of the neices is dressing me and a couple of other people and time is moving on quickly. There's no time for breakfast, I don't want to cause any holdups on this very important day.
Nadee comes, on goes the bra with the straps adjusted tightly and then the sari blouse. No time to be shy here, a lot to do and not much time to do it. Next goes the underskirt, its a bit too big but not to worry now. The drawsting at the waistis drawn astight as I've every had anything around my waist. It's tight because it needs to hold the sari in place. The sari gets tucked into it.
Now it's time to wrap that 9 mts of fabric around me. Three times around it goes and then five 6 inch pleats in the front at the right, this all gets tucked into the waist. I really don't know how many safety pins are used to keep it all in place but I'm just praying it's enough. By now I feel trussed up like a turkey but in a strange way, I feel very elegant.
After the pinning, and tucking, the final stage of attaching the pins at the back of the shoulder which holds the decorative piece in place and some final adjustments can be made once I get back from the hairdresser.
So now, Lakshika and Gayanthika are ready and we're in the tuk tuk heading to the local haridresser. I have been growing my hair so that I can have some style but when I see the girls here, my hair's still way too short for much at all. Anyway, I'll try.
I am the first in the chair, the young girls simply says that she can do a small tie up at the back and make some longer curls from the hanging ends. I agree and trust that she will know what will look nice. Remember, I have my sari on so she can work with that as well.
After about 20mins, I'm finished and I'm happy with the result. Lots of curls at the back and a small side sweep of my fringe. It's combed and teased at the top so it's not flat on my head.
I head back home alone to do my make up. It's now close to 8am and I try to eat some breakfast, traditional milk rice and onion sambal. Two of the sisters were up at 2.30am cooking enough for all of the 23 people who will need to eat breakfast.
After trying to eat a little, I head to the mirror to put on the make up and have the final adjustment of the sari. I'm just hoping with the humidity that my makeup doesn't run off before we arrive at the hotel. Anway, the private bus that's been ordered to take us all to the wedding will be airconditioned so it should be OK.
I'm just finished with the make up when the bus arrives. Arjith, a family friend is driving the bus so I know that we will reach there on time.
Everyone is ready but the two girls are still at the hairdresser. We need to leave the house at 8.30am to make the short but slow trip the 9k's to the hotel. We all board the bus, the neighbours are all out to see how we all look. They all call to me to tell me how nice I look. This makes me very happy. I feel good wearing a sari to the wedding to make all these friends and neighbours happy and to visibly let them know that I respect their customs.
The decision is made to leave the house and head to the hairdresser and collect the girls there. It's just a few minutes away and on our way. We wait and wait for what seems to be an eternity, one of the mothers goes to the salon, she comes out but still no girls. Finally at 9.10am they appear. They are beautiful but lots of heckling once they get onto the bus.
Finally we're on our way and Ajith is driving swiftly. He's blaring the horn to go past everyone on the road in our way. Once out of the traffic, he drives as if he has a bus load of VIP's, in fact he does really. As the minutes tick by, we're getting closer and closer to the hotel. Finally we arrive with 10 minutes to spare.
This is a traditional Poruwa Ceremony and Shan is in the Sri Lankan Air Force so there's a lot of pagaentry that will go with this wedding.
We all assemble in the foyer of the hotel to be escorted up the stairs by traditional Kandyan dancers and drummers and then we are led into the wedding area. The dancers and drummers return to the foyer to lead the Bride (Udari) and her side of the family up the stairs to where we are all waiting for them. She looks beautiful in her Kandyan wedding dress which is heavily embroidered.
All of the traditional features of the ceremony take place, the parents receive their gifts, the coconut is broken and before too long it's all over. They leave the wedding stage under a guard of honour from the Sri Lankan Air Force. It's all very nice and I'm loving being part of it all.
Now that the ceremony is over, I make my way to the tables to greet the family members and friends who I know. I didn't realise that a lot of people know about me and many many times, I was taken away and introduced to another person who tells me, "I've heard all about you Miss Julia".
Many many people compliment me on wearing a sari and tell me how beautiful I look. I am really pleased that I made the decision to wear a sari and took the time to choose a coloour that complimented my skin colour. It's yellow in colour, not too bright but also not a pastel either. It is decorated with beautiful sequined flowers. It's very fitting for the occasion. I'm amazed at how comfortable I feel wearing a sari, totally feminine.
All the guests are seated and it's time for lunch, a traditional Sri Lankan rice and curry lunch. I sit with Palitha and his wife Julitha. Palitha is the shippng company CEO and Raja has struck up a good friendship with him and decided to invite him and his wife to the wedding. That was such a nice thing to do.
I can't eat much lunch or drink too much, I'm a little nervous of needing to go to the toilet. After we eat it's time for dancing. Normally at a Sri Lankan wedding, the men dominate the dance floor but a few of the female members of the family and I have decided that we will take to the dance floor and give them a little competition.
A lot of the Air Force boys are dancing and by now, they've consumed a lot of alcohol and their mood is lively to say the least. The music's lively and we head for the dance floor. There's not much room but we manage to take over a fair portion of the floor and immediately the Air Force guys spy the young girls and try to engage them in dancing with them. The girls look hautily away but I'm sure they're flattered. It's all part of the game if I remember.
We dance and dance to many songs as the afternoon goes by and more and more women take the opportunity to join us. Something that I was told very rarely happens.
It's now time for photo's of each guest with the Bride and Groom. Shan beckons me to come onto the stage and have a photo with him and Udari.
Before we know it, it's time for the Bride and Groom to leave. Udari is dressed in a beautiful grey satin gown that's embroidered at the bottom with blue jewels in the shape of flowers. The top is simple with shoe string straps tht are also bejewelled.
They head to the foyer and true to Military form, they play a prank. Somehow, Shan is in the boot of the car with a suitcase. Not sure how that happened but the boys and other guests were in fits of laughter. A great spectacle for people passing by as well.
Shan and Udari are to head to the Air Force base at Rathmalana where they are to take a short helicopter ride before returning to the hotel for the night and the following day, head on their honeymoon.
We all board our bus for the return journey to Raja's home. In the morning, there was a lot of laughter and gaiety on the journey to the wedding, now its after 5pm and most people are so very tired. I know that I just want to have a cup of tea.
They journey home takes a fairly long time, it's peak hour traffic and in Colombo that means a disaster. Anyway, within an hour, we're home and I'm starting to remove my sari. I'm not sure where to start, there are so many pins. I gradually get it all unpinned and take it off. It's a relief but in a strange way, it means that all of the day's festivities are over.
Now the hair, so much hairspray and so many pins. After about 10 minutes, I'm ready for the shower and how delightful it was to have that cool Colombo water run over my body and to get my hair washed.
We're allvery tired and all I want to do is have a cup of tea and go to bed. But, the sisters are cooking rice and curry for everyone and one can never refuse so I try to stay awake until it's time to eat. I eat a little, brush my teeth and head to bed. It's just after 9pm now and within about 45mins, the house is in darkness, everyone is in bed and sleep comes very easily.
Now we just have the Home Coming to get through and that will take place at the house on Monday 31st October and then it's all over.
I've had such a wonderful time, Raja's family have made me feel so welcome and an important part of this very important occasion.
In Life, one doesn't always get to experience what I've experienced on my many trips to Sri Lanka. All of this has been made possible because Raja, his wife Daya, their two sons Sasitha (Shan) and Pulasthi have made me feel a part of their family.
Tuesday, 25 October 2011
Wedding preparations
Now that my trips to the schools and orphanages is over, I can focus on the upcoming wedding of Sasitha to Udari which will be held on Thursday October 27th at the Ramada Hotel Colombo.
I've bought a new Sari and have arranged for a local dressmaker to sew the sari jacket and underskirt for me.
There's been a lot of shopping for the last minute essentials that we women need like shoes, hair decorations and make up. Shopping here is not a simple task like at home. You have to be prepared to spend the whole day going from one shop to another and the crowds, they're like what we experience at Christmas time. It's crazy and exhausting.
I tried on at least 12 pairs of shoes and none would fit or they didn't have my size. I seem to have a short fat foot and the shoes here just didn't want to fit my foot. I was praying that I would be Cinderella and the shoe would just glide on, but no, that didn't happen. Finally I found a pair that did fit and in desperation, I bought them. They are gold with bling on the thin straps and should compliment my sari which is an apricot/gold colour.
In Sri Lanka, because families need to travel such long distances to arrive for the Wedding, some of the family members have arrived at the house already. They will stay for the Wedding and the Home Coming celebrations as well.
The Home Coming is a second celebration where the newly married couple are welcomed home to both families as husband and wife. This celebration is taking place at Raja's home and there is expected to be around 100 people at this function.
A lot of cooking will take place over the next week by the family members staying here and a lot of laughter will accompany the cooking. I very happily join in with the family in the cooking and laughing. I am considered her to be one of the sister's, I am touched by their genuine love for me.
The younger girls are excited about having me show them how to apply make up. I've never considered myself a make up artist but will try to help them. They don't generally wear make up so it's all experimentation. These young girls are so sweet and innocent in the ways of young western women and how they prepare for a celebration or evening out. They will look beautiful at the wedding draped in their sari's of both Indian and Kandyan style and with their beautiful features enhanced by a little make up. I feel very honoured to think that I have the knowledge to be able to help them.
In the late afternoon on Wednesday, we're all going to paint our nails, have relaxing facials and do anything else that strikes us to ready ourselves for the wedding the following day.
The Wedding ceremony will take place at 10am so we need to be ready to leave the house at 9am. It will take about an hour to make the drive, we as the family of the Groom, can't be late. We'll all be up at about 5am, Milk rice is the traditional breakfast for special occasions and we will all eat this with Kata Sambol before getting ready and making the journey to the Ramada Hotel.
Milk rice is cooked rice with coconut milk, pressed into a dish and then cut into portions for eating. Kata Sambol is dried fish, onion, chillies and chilli powder mixed together to form a very hot and delicious accompaniment for the milk rice.
Tomorrow I'm to go and collect the sari blouse and underskirt from the dressmaker and then spend the time just relaxing until the Wedding day arrives.
I've bought a new Sari and have arranged for a local dressmaker to sew the sari jacket and underskirt for me.
There's been a lot of shopping for the last minute essentials that we women need like shoes, hair decorations and make up. Shopping here is not a simple task like at home. You have to be prepared to spend the whole day going from one shop to another and the crowds, they're like what we experience at Christmas time. It's crazy and exhausting.
I tried on at least 12 pairs of shoes and none would fit or they didn't have my size. I seem to have a short fat foot and the shoes here just didn't want to fit my foot. I was praying that I would be Cinderella and the shoe would just glide on, but no, that didn't happen. Finally I found a pair that did fit and in desperation, I bought them. They are gold with bling on the thin straps and should compliment my sari which is an apricot/gold colour.
In Sri Lanka, because families need to travel such long distances to arrive for the Wedding, some of the family members have arrived at the house already. They will stay for the Wedding and the Home Coming celebrations as well.
The Home Coming is a second celebration where the newly married couple are welcomed home to both families as husband and wife. This celebration is taking place at Raja's home and there is expected to be around 100 people at this function.
A lot of cooking will take place over the next week by the family members staying here and a lot of laughter will accompany the cooking. I very happily join in with the family in the cooking and laughing. I am considered her to be one of the sister's, I am touched by their genuine love for me.
The younger girls are excited about having me show them how to apply make up. I've never considered myself a make up artist but will try to help them. They don't generally wear make up so it's all experimentation. These young girls are so sweet and innocent in the ways of young western women and how they prepare for a celebration or evening out. They will look beautiful at the wedding draped in their sari's of both Indian and Kandyan style and with their beautiful features enhanced by a little make up. I feel very honoured to think that I have the knowledge to be able to help them.
In the late afternoon on Wednesday, we're all going to paint our nails, have relaxing facials and do anything else that strikes us to ready ourselves for the wedding the following day.
The Wedding ceremony will take place at 10am so we need to be ready to leave the house at 9am. It will take about an hour to make the drive, we as the family of the Groom, can't be late. We'll all be up at about 5am, Milk rice is the traditional breakfast for special occasions and we will all eat this with Kata Sambol before getting ready and making the journey to the Ramada Hotel.
Milk rice is cooked rice with coconut milk, pressed into a dish and then cut into portions for eating. Kata Sambol is dried fish, onion, chillies and chilli powder mixed together to form a very hot and delicious accompaniment for the milk rice.
Tomorrow I'm to go and collect the sari blouse and underskirt from the dressmaker and then spend the time just relaxing until the Wedding day arrives.
Sunday, 23 October 2011
That school I forgot about, "Wellaragama"
We did make a trip back to Colombo after Jaffna, that was to load the car again and make the journey back to the Anuradhapura Discrict to visit the little Wellaragama school at Mihintale.
This is the first little school that I ever visited to help here in Sri Lanka so I guess you can say it all started here.
I've become nice friends with the Principal, his family and the Teacher's at the school so it will be nice to see them all again.
Raja told me that the Principals wife is expecting her 3rd child, he didn't mention when so I assumed that she was in the early stages of her pregnancy and looked forward to seeing her to give my congratulations.
We left Colombo with a loaded car as usual so the drive was slow. There are 41 children at this school this year and we placed an order at the school shoe distributor in this on our previous trip to provide these children with school shoes.
It was our hope to collect the shoes after arriving late afternoon but as things would happen we didn't make it in time.
On the way, we stopped at Kurunagela as always to visit the family of my friend Padmini. The road that we took to Anuradhapura was fantastic for about half of the journey and then it turned dreadful. It'd been raining and the red road soil had turned to red slimey mud which made the going really tough. You couldn't see the depth of the potholes and it got dark so Raja was having difficulty driving in these conditions. We had no choice but to continue.
I didn't talk much to Raja as he was focused on the road and as the time continued, I could see that he was becoming more and more annoyed. What I didn't know then was that he was annoyed with himself for making the decision to take this road instead of the usual road which would have been an additional 12k's. Anyway, as he says, "What to do".
We finally arrived there at around 7pm after 5 hours for what should have been a 2 hour drive. As we now needed to collect the school shoes in the morning, I decided to buy the chocolate and biscuits for the children at the supermarket that evening which we did and then we proceeded to the hotel for a much needed cup of tea and then a shower.
I thought everything would go smoothly with the shoe pick up but inevitably it didn't. We needed to check that the order was accurate but more than 50% of the order was incorrect. I also wanted to write the names of the children and grades on the boxes to make it easier to distribute grade by grade.
After finally getting the order correct (so we thought) and paying the money we left for the school. Now it's 11am and the Principal was to leave the school to go to the hospital for the birth of his 3rd child. Oh, I forgot to mention. When I finally saw the Principal's wife Luzmie, she was visibly big. When I asked when the baby was due, she answered, "next week". I nearly died as I was thinking that she was just pregnant from the info I got from Raja.
We had a 30 min drive to the school so as soon as we arrived, he had to leave. That was the beginning of a not so great visit to this school.
The Assistant Principal was left in charge to organise the children and the other teachers. She is a long time teacher at the school and has been through this process with me many times so I thought things would work as usual.
Unfortunately, the teachers decided to sit and watch me unpack everything. I did say to them that it would take about 30mins to organise the gifts and then I would ask them to bring the children in class by class.
To my surprise, 3 toddlers were at the school that day and the Assistant Principal had also brought her grandson along. I felt obligated to try and find gifts for them as well. I asked if there were any more small children, NO came the answer. A few moments later another 2 arrived. Raja's telling me not to worry about them, I couldn't take his advice. How could I give gifts to all children except these little ones. I wasn't happy at all about this situation but what could I do. Actually, there ended up being 6 additiional children as another teacher had her sick son there as well. He goes to a different school.
I usually take with me enough things for the school children and a couple of others but definately not 6 others.
It's now time to get started. I ask a few of the teachers to help give things out as Raja and I can't do it all. The kids file in with wonderful smiles on their faces. The first class is grade 1 and of course this is their first experience of receiving things from me. The older children are used to the process now but these little tots didn't have an idea of what to do. I laugh at their innocense.
Raja's handing out the shoes, I'm giving the school bags and books and the teachers are giving all the other things. It's slow but eventually all 41 children have come and received their things.
Low and behold, some of the children return to us telling that their shoes don't fit. I nearly have a fit. It became very clear quickly that at the warehouse, they'd measured the shoes to the drawing on the paper not allowing for the actual shoe material therefore more than 23 pairs were too small for the children to wear.
What a situation to be in. We were leaving for Colombo the following day and it was also Friday and school was closed for the weekend. I called the warehouse and spoke with the Distribution Manager and arranged that we would take the ill fitting shoes back to them, they would exchange them and then deliver them to the school the following week.
When I returned to the classroom, the teachers were swapping shoes from one child to the next and it was a total shambles. If only they'd waited for my conversation to be finished, a simple solution had been arranged. By now I'm really cross and upset, who do I have to voice all this to, Raja. Poor Raja is all I can say, can't say more than that really.
Anyway, after the swapping was finished, we still needed to swap 15 pairs of shoes. We still had to go to the warehouse. They also decided that we would drop the shoes to the Principal for him to take to the children on Monday. How he was going to manage 15 pairs of shoes in boxes on a motor bike, I couldn't imagine. I just left them to get on with it all and walked away. The best solution for me at that time.
When I went to the playground to see the children as I usually do and to take some photo's and give the chocolate, there were just a handful hanging around. I asked, "where have all the children gone?"
"Home Madam" was the reply, "it's 1.30 and they go home now". I couldn't believe it, all gone home and still things to give them.
Raja and I were both shocked that the Teacher's would dismiss them without giving me the time to speak with them and farewell the grade 9 children who would not be at the school when I visit next year.
Lot's of guilty looks came my way from teacher's and one asked, "are you angry Madam"? No, just upset that the children have gone home and I haven't had the oppurtunity to farewell them. I realised then that we'd also not given them the biscuits or chocolate that I'd brought for them. I also have no photo's.
Some of the children return to the school but it's not quite right.
I tried to make the best of it but everyone could see that I was upset, what I didn't know was that Raja had gone to the Assistant Principal and Teacher's to ask why the children had been dismissed and to tell that this is not how our visits are usually, hence the looks and comments I think.
By now, it's about 3pm and we leave the school. I'm hungry, thirsty and really hot and sweaty, so the first thing we need to do is find somewhere where we can still get some lunch where there is a good toilet where I can have a small wash.
Over lunch, we talk about the morning's events. Raja's opinion is that because the Principal wasn't at the school this year and left the events in the hands of the Assistant Principal, they didn't have the same level of caring as he did.
We were to visit the Principal's home that evening and Raja said that he would mention all to the Principal. I asked him not to do that as it would sound as if I was complaining about his staff and that wasn't the case at all. At a quiet moment at the Principals home whilst I was spending time with his two children, Raja did tell the Principal all. We also handed over the shoes that he would need to take to the school on Monday and probably Tuesday because of the size of the packages.
Let's hope that next years visit will be like the visits of old.
That evening at the Principals home, I asked if I could visit his wife in hospital the following morning as I wouldn't have the opportunity of seeing her or the new baby until I return next year. He told that the visiting hours are 6-7am, 12.-1.00pm & 6-7pm. How could I visit that these times, the morning was too early and at 12-00 we would be on our way to Colombo.
I asked if I could go and ask for special permission, he said "try, but maybe not". So if you know me well, I decided to go and try my luck.
Raja dropped me at the main gate and I asked directions to ward 26. One very nice security guard got a nurse to take me to that area and I found my way from there. Once in the ward, I met with one of the charge sisters, showed her a piece of paper with Luxmie's name on it and then was promptly shown to her bed.
There must have been 29 other patients (new mums) in that ward and ask I walked to Luzmie's bed, she was sitting beside her bed and her new little baby boy was laying on her bed sleeping. She stood when she saw me coming and had a grin from ear to ear. She told me she was very happy that I came to see her. How could I not do that, I wouldn't see her and her new baby for almost a year if I didn't take this opportunity,
She asked me how I got permission to visit. I said I just asked. What a laugh, apparently if Raja had come with me, they would not have allowed me to go as they would give him all sorts of reasons in Sinhalese so I think my advantage was that they felt they couldn't explain clearly in Enlgish about the visiting hours and it was easier just to let me see Luzmie.
The baby was as cute as, he had a mop of black hair and his skin was fair. He was small, weighing just 2.9kg, anyway, he and his mum were well.
Luxmie had a caesarean section, her 3rd. The process is different here, you are admitted to the hospital one day, in Luzmie's case Tuesday and you just wait until a slot comes up. Luzmie waited until Friday morning.
The hospital conditions were very good and it seemed that the care she was given she was happy with. Interestingly, the babies are with the mum all of the time from birth. A small metal basket is attached to the end of the bed, that's where the baby sleeps. The mum's have full care of the infant, even after a caesar.
I stayed for about 20mins and then left, meeting Raja in the street in front of the hospital. He told me he was surprised that I'd been allowed to visit and also that if he had come with me, they definately would not have allowed me that privelidge.
Now we are on the way to Colombo where I'll spend the next 10 days whilst final preparations for Raja's son Sasitha (Shan's) wedding.It is to be held at the Ramada Hotel and I am planning on wearing a sari. I have brought one from home with me and just need to have the jacket and underskirt made locally by a dressmaker.
This is the first little school that I ever visited to help here in Sri Lanka so I guess you can say it all started here.
I've become nice friends with the Principal, his family and the Teacher's at the school so it will be nice to see them all again.
Raja told me that the Principals wife is expecting her 3rd child, he didn't mention when so I assumed that she was in the early stages of her pregnancy and looked forward to seeing her to give my congratulations.
We left Colombo with a loaded car as usual so the drive was slow. There are 41 children at this school this year and we placed an order at the school shoe distributor in this on our previous trip to provide these children with school shoes.
It was our hope to collect the shoes after arriving late afternoon but as things would happen we didn't make it in time.
On the way, we stopped at Kurunagela as always to visit the family of my friend Padmini. The road that we took to Anuradhapura was fantastic for about half of the journey and then it turned dreadful. It'd been raining and the red road soil had turned to red slimey mud which made the going really tough. You couldn't see the depth of the potholes and it got dark so Raja was having difficulty driving in these conditions. We had no choice but to continue.
I didn't talk much to Raja as he was focused on the road and as the time continued, I could see that he was becoming more and more annoyed. What I didn't know then was that he was annoyed with himself for making the decision to take this road instead of the usual road which would have been an additional 12k's. Anyway, as he says, "What to do".
We finally arrived there at around 7pm after 5 hours for what should have been a 2 hour drive. As we now needed to collect the school shoes in the morning, I decided to buy the chocolate and biscuits for the children at the supermarket that evening which we did and then we proceeded to the hotel for a much needed cup of tea and then a shower.
I thought everything would go smoothly with the shoe pick up but inevitably it didn't. We needed to check that the order was accurate but more than 50% of the order was incorrect. I also wanted to write the names of the children and grades on the boxes to make it easier to distribute grade by grade.
After finally getting the order correct (so we thought) and paying the money we left for the school. Now it's 11am and the Principal was to leave the school to go to the hospital for the birth of his 3rd child. Oh, I forgot to mention. When I finally saw the Principal's wife Luzmie, she was visibly big. When I asked when the baby was due, she answered, "next week". I nearly died as I was thinking that she was just pregnant from the info I got from Raja.
We had a 30 min drive to the school so as soon as we arrived, he had to leave. That was the beginning of a not so great visit to this school.
The Assistant Principal was left in charge to organise the children and the other teachers. She is a long time teacher at the school and has been through this process with me many times so I thought things would work as usual.
Unfortunately, the teachers decided to sit and watch me unpack everything. I did say to them that it would take about 30mins to organise the gifts and then I would ask them to bring the children in class by class.
To my surprise, 3 toddlers were at the school that day and the Assistant Principal had also brought her grandson along. I felt obligated to try and find gifts for them as well. I asked if there were any more small children, NO came the answer. A few moments later another 2 arrived. Raja's telling me not to worry about them, I couldn't take his advice. How could I give gifts to all children except these little ones. I wasn't happy at all about this situation but what could I do. Actually, there ended up being 6 additiional children as another teacher had her sick son there as well. He goes to a different school.
I usually take with me enough things for the school children and a couple of others but definately not 6 others.
It's now time to get started. I ask a few of the teachers to help give things out as Raja and I can't do it all. The kids file in with wonderful smiles on their faces. The first class is grade 1 and of course this is their first experience of receiving things from me. The older children are used to the process now but these little tots didn't have an idea of what to do. I laugh at their innocense.
Raja's handing out the shoes, I'm giving the school bags and books and the teachers are giving all the other things. It's slow but eventually all 41 children have come and received their things.
Low and behold, some of the children return to us telling that their shoes don't fit. I nearly have a fit. It became very clear quickly that at the warehouse, they'd measured the shoes to the drawing on the paper not allowing for the actual shoe material therefore more than 23 pairs were too small for the children to wear.
What a situation to be in. We were leaving for Colombo the following day and it was also Friday and school was closed for the weekend. I called the warehouse and spoke with the Distribution Manager and arranged that we would take the ill fitting shoes back to them, they would exchange them and then deliver them to the school the following week.
When I returned to the classroom, the teachers were swapping shoes from one child to the next and it was a total shambles. If only they'd waited for my conversation to be finished, a simple solution had been arranged. By now I'm really cross and upset, who do I have to voice all this to, Raja. Poor Raja is all I can say, can't say more than that really.
Anyway, after the swapping was finished, we still needed to swap 15 pairs of shoes. We still had to go to the warehouse. They also decided that we would drop the shoes to the Principal for him to take to the children on Monday. How he was going to manage 15 pairs of shoes in boxes on a motor bike, I couldn't imagine. I just left them to get on with it all and walked away. The best solution for me at that time.
When I went to the playground to see the children as I usually do and to take some photo's and give the chocolate, there were just a handful hanging around. I asked, "where have all the children gone?"
"Home Madam" was the reply, "it's 1.30 and they go home now". I couldn't believe it, all gone home and still things to give them.
Raja and I were both shocked that the Teacher's would dismiss them without giving me the time to speak with them and farewell the grade 9 children who would not be at the school when I visit next year.
Lot's of guilty looks came my way from teacher's and one asked, "are you angry Madam"? No, just upset that the children have gone home and I haven't had the oppurtunity to farewell them. I realised then that we'd also not given them the biscuits or chocolate that I'd brought for them. I also have no photo's.
Some of the children return to the school but it's not quite right.
I tried to make the best of it but everyone could see that I was upset, what I didn't know was that Raja had gone to the Assistant Principal and Teacher's to ask why the children had been dismissed and to tell that this is not how our visits are usually, hence the looks and comments I think.
By now, it's about 3pm and we leave the school. I'm hungry, thirsty and really hot and sweaty, so the first thing we need to do is find somewhere where we can still get some lunch where there is a good toilet where I can have a small wash.
Over lunch, we talk about the morning's events. Raja's opinion is that because the Principal wasn't at the school this year and left the events in the hands of the Assistant Principal, they didn't have the same level of caring as he did.
We were to visit the Principal's home that evening and Raja said that he would mention all to the Principal. I asked him not to do that as it would sound as if I was complaining about his staff and that wasn't the case at all. At a quiet moment at the Principals home whilst I was spending time with his two children, Raja did tell the Principal all. We also handed over the shoes that he would need to take to the school on Monday and probably Tuesday because of the size of the packages.
Let's hope that next years visit will be like the visits of old.
That evening at the Principals home, I asked if I could visit his wife in hospital the following morning as I wouldn't have the opportunity of seeing her or the new baby until I return next year. He told that the visiting hours are 6-7am, 12.-1.00pm & 6-7pm. How could I visit that these times, the morning was too early and at 12-00 we would be on our way to Colombo.
I asked if I could go and ask for special permission, he said "try, but maybe not". So if you know me well, I decided to go and try my luck.
Raja dropped me at the main gate and I asked directions to ward 26. One very nice security guard got a nurse to take me to that area and I found my way from there. Once in the ward, I met with one of the charge sisters, showed her a piece of paper with Luxmie's name on it and then was promptly shown to her bed.
There must have been 29 other patients (new mums) in that ward and ask I walked to Luzmie's bed, she was sitting beside her bed and her new little baby boy was laying on her bed sleeping. She stood when she saw me coming and had a grin from ear to ear. She told me she was very happy that I came to see her. How could I not do that, I wouldn't see her and her new baby for almost a year if I didn't take this opportunity,
She asked me how I got permission to visit. I said I just asked. What a laugh, apparently if Raja had come with me, they would not have allowed me to go as they would give him all sorts of reasons in Sinhalese so I think my advantage was that they felt they couldn't explain clearly in Enlgish about the visiting hours and it was easier just to let me see Luzmie.
The baby was as cute as, he had a mop of black hair and his skin was fair. He was small, weighing just 2.9kg, anyway, he and his mum were well.
Luxmie had a caesarean section, her 3rd. The process is different here, you are admitted to the hospital one day, in Luzmie's case Tuesday and you just wait until a slot comes up. Luzmie waited until Friday morning.
The hospital conditions were very good and it seemed that the care she was given she was happy with. Interestingly, the babies are with the mum all of the time from birth. A small metal basket is attached to the end of the bed, that's where the baby sleeps. The mum's have full care of the infant, even after a caesar.
I stayed for about 20mins and then left, meeting Raja in the street in front of the hospital. He told me he was surprised that I'd been allowed to visit and also that if he had come with me, they definately would not have allowed me that privelidge.
Now we are on the way to Colombo where I'll spend the next 10 days whilst final preparations for Raja's son Sasitha (Shan's) wedding.It is to be held at the Ramada Hotel and I am planning on wearing a sari. I have brought one from home with me and just need to have the jacket and underskirt made locally by a dressmaker.
Friday, 21 October 2011
Sad news from home.
Yesterday was a sad day for me and my daughter Abbie. She's been at home taking care of things and our little dog Poppy whilst I'm here in Sri Lanka.
Poppy has had congestive heart failure for about 9months and has been doing well on medicaiton to manage her condition. We knew what the eventual outcome would be for her.
She was 13 years old when diagnosed and was now approaching 14 years.
When I left to come to Sri Lanka, she was coping well with her condition on the mediction but as things happened, over the last 2 weeks, her condition became worse. I was in daily contact with Abbie and advising her on what Poppy's needs were and helping her manage.
Consequently, yesterday I received a call from a very distressed Abbie. She had taken Poppy to the vet for the 3rd time in a week. Her breathing had become shallow and frequent, her chest cavity had expanded with the accumulated fluid. She had had a fluid injection earlier, that helped for a short time but her condition overall was no better.
Abbie and Poppy were sitting in the car in the vet carpark, Abbie was crying telling me that Poppy was so very sick and what should she do.
I asked her the condition of Poppy and she was resting on the seat, I asked her to go home and call me. I knew the time had come to make that very hard decision.
I am so far away and yet I knew that I had to help Abbie through this.
Thankfully my dear friend Leanne's daughter in law is in the Vet business and had offered to come to our home and give the injection when the time had come. I called and asked her to arrange that, the time had come for our little dog. How could we let her suffer.
Abbie needed support so I called my brother Steven, fortunately he wasn't at work and could go. He did that quickly and knew what one of his tasks would be. Preparing a place to put Poppy to rest.
I was able to speak with Abbie just before the injection was administered, the phone line was good. Padmini was also there to lend support so I spoke with her whilst Abbie comforted Poppy. It was a very sad moment as I was at the other end of the phone listening to Abbie cry and could do nothing to help her. I am so far away.
All too soon it was over. What seemed like an eternity, Abbie finally took the phone. She was sobbing and telling me how sorry she was that it had to happen before I arrived home. I assured her that we needed to do the best thing for little Poppy and making her wait until I came home was selfish and not the best thing for her.
Fortunately Steven insisted that Abbie spend the night with them which is fantastic. They will talk about our little dog and help her through the emotions.
Later in the evening, she sent me an sms to say that she was glad she was at Steven's and although she was feeling really sad and upset, now she realises that the best decision was made for Pop and was glad that it could be done in our home as not to distress Poppy anymore than was necessary.
This little dog was a part of our family for close to 14 years, she brought us so much joy and laughter at her antics and habits. We'll miss her.
I am so very fortunate to have such wonderful people around me. When I need their help and ask, they are there. Thank you Steven, Denise, Christopher, Leanne and Pamini.
I realised that I've forgotten to write about my visit to Wellaragama School at Mihintale. Today I don't have the heart to do that. I will do it soon.
Poppy has had congestive heart failure for about 9months and has been doing well on medicaiton to manage her condition. We knew what the eventual outcome would be for her.
She was 13 years old when diagnosed and was now approaching 14 years.
When I left to come to Sri Lanka, she was coping well with her condition on the mediction but as things happened, over the last 2 weeks, her condition became worse. I was in daily contact with Abbie and advising her on what Poppy's needs were and helping her manage.
Consequently, yesterday I received a call from a very distressed Abbie. She had taken Poppy to the vet for the 3rd time in a week. Her breathing had become shallow and frequent, her chest cavity had expanded with the accumulated fluid. She had had a fluid injection earlier, that helped for a short time but her condition overall was no better.
Abbie and Poppy were sitting in the car in the vet carpark, Abbie was crying telling me that Poppy was so very sick and what should she do.
I asked her the condition of Poppy and she was resting on the seat, I asked her to go home and call me. I knew the time had come to make that very hard decision.
I am so far away and yet I knew that I had to help Abbie through this.
Thankfully my dear friend Leanne's daughter in law is in the Vet business and had offered to come to our home and give the injection when the time had come. I called and asked her to arrange that, the time had come for our little dog. How could we let her suffer.
Abbie needed support so I called my brother Steven, fortunately he wasn't at work and could go. He did that quickly and knew what one of his tasks would be. Preparing a place to put Poppy to rest.
I was able to speak with Abbie just before the injection was administered, the phone line was good. Padmini was also there to lend support so I spoke with her whilst Abbie comforted Poppy. It was a very sad moment as I was at the other end of the phone listening to Abbie cry and could do nothing to help her. I am so far away.
All too soon it was over. What seemed like an eternity, Abbie finally took the phone. She was sobbing and telling me how sorry she was that it had to happen before I arrived home. I assured her that we needed to do the best thing for little Poppy and making her wait until I came home was selfish and not the best thing for her.
Fortunately Steven insisted that Abbie spend the night with them which is fantastic. They will talk about our little dog and help her through the emotions.
Later in the evening, she sent me an sms to say that she was glad she was at Steven's and although she was feeling really sad and upset, now she realises that the best decision was made for Pop and was glad that it could be done in our home as not to distress Poppy anymore than was necessary.
This little dog was a part of our family for close to 14 years, she brought us so much joy and laughter at her antics and habits. We'll miss her.
I am so very fortunate to have such wonderful people around me. When I need their help and ask, they are there. Thank you Steven, Denise, Christopher, Leanne and Pamini.
I realised that I've forgotten to write about my visit to Wellaragama School at Mihintale. Today I don't have the heart to do that. I will do it soon.
Thursday, 20 October 2011
Kilinochchi
We're now in Kilinochchi and it's around 9.30am and we've arrived at the Department of Education Divisional Office. We speak with the Director and explain our purpose and seek his assistance to locate a small school of around 50 children who live in the rural area's and are living a poor life. We also informed him that we didn't want to go to a school that is already receiving help from NGO's or INGO'S.
He advises us that there is a small school in an area about 8k's from Kilinochchi city and no NGO's were helping this school to his knowledge. It's in a small village named Waddakachchi. We decide to go and visit these children with no firm plan to leave items with them until we have made an assesment.
Once we arrive at this little school and sit and speak with the Assistant Principal and explain why we are here and ask for informaton of the children and their families, it is very clear that this school and most of it's children fit our purpose.
Language: The Teacher's speak Tamil, Raja speaks Sinhalese with a smattering of Tamil and I speak English. Fortunately one of the Teachers has enough English for us to ask simple questions and get her reply. Once she relaxes and our ears tune into her accent, the understanding between us all is good.
There are 58 children enrolled at the school but today only 39 of them are in attendance. Apparently there is a funeral and some of the children are attending that and the others, well there's no information about their absence.
The school building is in a poor condition just being one long classroom. Many of the children have UNICEF school bags and I would see that a few of the chairs and tables had been donted by CARE. We asked about this and the Assistant Principal informed us that when the school opened 2 years ago after being closed for sometime, some of the furniture was donated then and the Principal had at the beginning of the year learned that UNICEF were donating school bags for children in the North and applied to the Education Division to get them for his school. Apart from these items, no help is being given from anywhere else and nothing is expected in the future.
The children are very excited to see us and for some, I don't think they've seen a white person before in their lives. They all want to touch my skin, I'm hot and sweating but don't mind at all.
As always, we ask some of the older children to help us unload the car. It seems here that all of the children want to help. They all very excitedly take the goods into the far end of their school room so that I can sort them in preparation of giving each child their gifts.
The teachers ask them to sit in on the floor and wait patiently. I have lollies so hand them out to keep them occupied whilst I work. Very soon it's all done and time to have the children come up.
Class by class they come to get their new school bag, books, pencils and small simple childrens story book. I then one by one give them a soft toy. All of the children gasp at the sight and realisation that they will all receive one. Tigger was a favourite along with the beautiful teddies. They boys loved their boy type toys and immediately began roaring like lions as they played with the person sitting next to them.
The teachers were also delighted with the things I'd taken for them.
Boys being boys and particularly cricket mad Sri Lankan boys, they loved the thought of having cricket bats and balls for everyday use at school.
These children need to get used to attending school each day, for most of their lives, they haven't been able to go for fear of the bombs. Now it's time to encourage them and little by little they should come. I hope that by having cricket bats at school, this will be enough to encourage them.
The Teachers appear to be very caring and tell us that they want the children to attend school and are disappointed when 30% of the children are absent as they are today. They have promised to speak with the parents and tell our story and that we will again visit these children next year. They are very happy to hear this.
We bid them all farewell and the children form a line to the gate wearing their hats and carrying their school bags as they wave goodbye.
I am very happy as we leave knowing that once again we have successfully located a new school where the families are poor and the children need our support even as small as it is.
It's a long drive now back to Anuradhapura where we'll spend the night before we proceed to Colombo the following day.
It's been a long trip but so totally worth it.
He advises us that there is a small school in an area about 8k's from Kilinochchi city and no NGO's were helping this school to his knowledge. It's in a small village named Waddakachchi. We decide to go and visit these children with no firm plan to leave items with them until we have made an assesment.
Once we arrive at this little school and sit and speak with the Assistant Principal and explain why we are here and ask for informaton of the children and their families, it is very clear that this school and most of it's children fit our purpose.
Language: The Teacher's speak Tamil, Raja speaks Sinhalese with a smattering of Tamil and I speak English. Fortunately one of the Teachers has enough English for us to ask simple questions and get her reply. Once she relaxes and our ears tune into her accent, the understanding between us all is good.
There are 58 children enrolled at the school but today only 39 of them are in attendance. Apparently there is a funeral and some of the children are attending that and the others, well there's no information about their absence.
The school building is in a poor condition just being one long classroom. Many of the children have UNICEF school bags and I would see that a few of the chairs and tables had been donted by CARE. We asked about this and the Assistant Principal informed us that when the school opened 2 years ago after being closed for sometime, some of the furniture was donated then and the Principal had at the beginning of the year learned that UNICEF were donating school bags for children in the North and applied to the Education Division to get them for his school. Apart from these items, no help is being given from anywhere else and nothing is expected in the future.
The children are very excited to see us and for some, I don't think they've seen a white person before in their lives. They all want to touch my skin, I'm hot and sweating but don't mind at all.
As always, we ask some of the older children to help us unload the car. It seems here that all of the children want to help. They all very excitedly take the goods into the far end of their school room so that I can sort them in preparation of giving each child their gifts.
The teachers ask them to sit in on the floor and wait patiently. I have lollies so hand them out to keep them occupied whilst I work. Very soon it's all done and time to have the children come up.
Class by class they come to get their new school bag, books, pencils and small simple childrens story book. I then one by one give them a soft toy. All of the children gasp at the sight and realisation that they will all receive one. Tigger was a favourite along with the beautiful teddies. They boys loved their boy type toys and immediately began roaring like lions as they played with the person sitting next to them.
The teachers were also delighted with the things I'd taken for them.
Boys being boys and particularly cricket mad Sri Lankan boys, they loved the thought of having cricket bats and balls for everyday use at school.
These children need to get used to attending school each day, for most of their lives, they haven't been able to go for fear of the bombs. Now it's time to encourage them and little by little they should come. I hope that by having cricket bats at school, this will be enough to encourage them.
The Teachers appear to be very caring and tell us that they want the children to attend school and are disappointed when 30% of the children are absent as they are today. They have promised to speak with the parents and tell our story and that we will again visit these children next year. They are very happy to hear this.
We bid them all farewell and the children form a line to the gate wearing their hats and carrying their school bags as they wave goodbye.
I am very happy as we leave knowing that once again we have successfully located a new school where the families are poor and the children need our support even as small as it is.
It's a long drive now back to Anuradhapura where we'll spend the night before we proceed to Colombo the following day.
It's been a long trip but so totally worth it.
Heading to Kilinochi and Jaffna
It's about 9am and we're ready for the 200 kilometer journey to Jaffna via Kilinochi. I know that the roads after Vavuniya will be in a poor condition even through they are under construction. The work is being completed in patches.
I've travelled the road to Vavuniya before so know that it's pretty good and now with no Military checkpoints. It's been more than a year since the last trip and the landscape has changed. More buildings and more greenery.
We drive for about 3 hours with no stops and surprisingly we've only travelled about 65k's. The roads to Vavuniya are really good but once past, the situation changes. They become potholed which causes us to go much slower than normal. We've also got the car loaded with the goods for the school we're to locate in Kilinochi on the return journey. It's Saturday so we can't visit the Divisional Education Office today, we'll do that on Monday after Jaffna.
Some more driving and we come to an Army checkpoint. It was an inspection point and as a foreigner, I was asked to present my passport to one of the officers who would take it to another point and I was to follow in the car. I wasn't happy about letting my passport out of my sight so I asked Raja to tell the Officer that I would go to the inspection point but he must give me back my passport. I would take it myself. At this they all laughed but obliged. I did feel stupid but I felt it was better to be safe than sorry.
At the inspection point, I was asked my reason for visiting Jaffna, how long I would be there, why was I in Sri Lanka, what my job in Australia is and who was I travelling with. Many of the questions, under normal circumstances I would question as to their relevance, but I just complied with all and eventually was given a document to sign to say that I was returning the following day and they also took Raja's car registration number. They didn't ask Raja anything or to produce his identity card.
After about 15 minutes, we were given permission to proceed. A short time later, we decided that we needed to eat lunch. Now it was after 2pm and we still hadn't reached Kilinochi yet.
We found a relatively new roadhouse so had a Sri Lankan buffet rice and curry. It was well priced and they were very busy. We found a table and after a short time, a young western woman approached us to ask if she could sit at our table. As it turned out, she worked for the US Embassy in Colombo and was travelling to Jaffna to visit her boyfriend. She had visited before but her driver Rohan hadn't. We chatted briefly and then they both left us to finish our lunch.
We proceeded on our journey to Kilinochi and on the way there was a lot of evidence of war. The most sightful was the bombed water tower in the middle of the Kilinochi City. It's a huge structure and it is well known that the LTTE blew it up during the fierest of the fighting. Another visible sign of the war was the school on the A9 road. There are two new buildings and the remainder of the classrooms are made of poles with pine tree thatching as a roof. If you didn't know better, you'd think you were on some beach and they were bar huts. As we drove further along the road, the remaining frame of a two storey school building was being renovated. At least the shell was intact and could be saved. Sadly this is the story of many buildings on the A9 road to Jaffna.
As we continued the drive, we came to Elephant Pass. This is a famous place as during the war, there was an incident where the LTTE developed an armoured bulldozer which they packed with dynamite with the intention of ramming it into a Military post in the hope of killing many soldiers. Their plan was stopped apparently by one young man who sacrificed his life to plant a grenade into the bulldozer which caused it to explode killing him and it's occupants but apparently saving the lives of hundreds of others. He is a hero in this area with monuments and plaques in his memory.
We travelled through some very desolate terrain with many scars of the war. The most profound for me was the area along the A9 road on the Jaffna Peninsula where beautiful palm trees were now blackened trunks. The area was fire bombed and as far as the eye could see on either side of the road, these blackened trunks protruded into the sky like totems. Another sign was the absence of the metal train tracks. I later found out that the LTTE removed these to use in the building of their underground bunkers. It really showed just how isolated this area and it's people were during the war time.
We arrived in Jaffna at about 6pm, I couldn't believe that it had taken us 9 hours with a 1 hour stop for lunch to drive the 200k's to Jaffna from Anuradhapura. The road conditions were not the best and at one stage, the road surface felt as if you were sailing on the water and of course our load of school things was heavy so we couldn't drive along too quickly.
Once there, we met with the relative of my friend Arul who lives in Noble Park. It was a little difficult finding his home. We found it eventually, along a narrow lane that leads from the Jaffna train station. This is a shell of a building, bombed during the war as it was suspected that the LTTE were using it as their headquarters. Of course no trains were running, no tracks.
They lived in their home during the bombings and it suffered severe damage. Fortunately no one was injured but I'm sure the scars of living through such an ordeal have had an impact on their health and lives.
It was difficult to find accomodation but this gentleman was kind enough to help. There is very little accomodation in Jaffna apart from a few Guest Houses that have sprung up in people's homes. This gentleman and Raja went to look at a couple of Guest Houses, one was not suitable but the other was OK. No Driver accomodation for Raja so he ended up sharing the room with me, what else could we do.
Funny thing was, as we arrived, this young man came to me and asked, "Madam, do you remember me"? I was puzzled, how would someone so far north know me and where from. Then it hit me, he was the American woman from the US Embassy's driver. He was also staying at this Guest House.
Time for sleep now or so I thought. There was a bar at the front of the premises and being Saturday night, many of the local men had come for a drink or ten. They sang very loudly until about 12.30am, I couldn't get to sleep. Finally I did nod off and then the local dogs decided they'd get a chorus going, well they went on and one. It was now 2am and still I've not slept apart from a few minutes here and there. Finally sleep came and at about 4.30am, the gate which was located near to the window in the room which happened to be where my head was clanged with someone opening and shutting it. I jumped out of my skin with fright. At 6am, Raja and I were both awoken with the sound of grinding coconut which is used to make Pol Sambal. We had ordered Pol Sambal as part of our breakfast so I guess we knew that we were getting.
What to do now but just talk and laugh over the events of the sleepless night. I thought that Raja had slept well but he also had a slepless night. Oh, I forgot to mention, the temperature was high and during the night, the power went off 3 times so each time, I had to get up and start the airconditioner. You can't sleep in this region without an airconditioner. Anyway, it gave us something to tell of our experience in Jaffna.
Now it's Sunday and we have decided to spend the morning being tourists and just taking in the sights of the area. One place that I had wanted to visit was Nallur Temple. This is a very big and famous Hindu Temple. It is majestic to say the least. We ventured to what is known as the never ending well, not too sure how that all works but none the less, I saw it along with bus loads of local people from all area's of the Island.
We also visited the famous swimming baths at a place called Kankesanthurai. This is a small place some 12k's from the City of Jaffna. Along the way, we drove through a small village, road workers were busy on road construction. Everywhere I looked on either side of the road and into the scrub all I could see were bombed out homes. About 100 of them but who knows what was further inland that I couldn't see from the road. Not any sign of life here. It was earie and moving. I felt really moved to see this destruction as I contemplated the loss of life here. Buses packed with people from everywhere use this road and I think to myself if they also feel as moved as I do as they pass through on their way to spend leisure time at the swimming baths and beach area.
We arrived at the swimming baths about 20 minutes later and there were hundreds of local tourists visiting for the day. It was a nice place but definately a place that I didn't feel comfortable visiting. The baths reminded me of the Roman style of baths, dug deep into the ground with stone steps heading downwards to the water. One side for men and the other for women. Of course the men were yahoooing and bombing into the water as men to and the ladies on their side were quiet and sedate in the way they entered the water.
Now our time here in Jaffna is over and we need to leave to head back to Killinochi so that we can visit the Department of Education the following morning (Monday) to see if we can find a small school in that area that we can support.
The journey to Killinochi will take most of the afternoon so we have lunch in Jaffna City at a place called Taste of Jaffna. The food is nice but the food at our Guest House was much nicer, anyway, we need to eat before we continue our journey.
I've travelled the road to Vavuniya before so know that it's pretty good and now with no Military checkpoints. It's been more than a year since the last trip and the landscape has changed. More buildings and more greenery.
We drive for about 3 hours with no stops and surprisingly we've only travelled about 65k's. The roads to Vavuniya are really good but once past, the situation changes. They become potholed which causes us to go much slower than normal. We've also got the car loaded with the goods for the school we're to locate in Kilinochi on the return journey. It's Saturday so we can't visit the Divisional Education Office today, we'll do that on Monday after Jaffna.
Some more driving and we come to an Army checkpoint. It was an inspection point and as a foreigner, I was asked to present my passport to one of the officers who would take it to another point and I was to follow in the car. I wasn't happy about letting my passport out of my sight so I asked Raja to tell the Officer that I would go to the inspection point but he must give me back my passport. I would take it myself. At this they all laughed but obliged. I did feel stupid but I felt it was better to be safe than sorry.
At the inspection point, I was asked my reason for visiting Jaffna, how long I would be there, why was I in Sri Lanka, what my job in Australia is and who was I travelling with. Many of the questions, under normal circumstances I would question as to their relevance, but I just complied with all and eventually was given a document to sign to say that I was returning the following day and they also took Raja's car registration number. They didn't ask Raja anything or to produce his identity card.
After about 15 minutes, we were given permission to proceed. A short time later, we decided that we needed to eat lunch. Now it was after 2pm and we still hadn't reached Kilinochi yet.
We found a relatively new roadhouse so had a Sri Lankan buffet rice and curry. It was well priced and they were very busy. We found a table and after a short time, a young western woman approached us to ask if she could sit at our table. As it turned out, she worked for the US Embassy in Colombo and was travelling to Jaffna to visit her boyfriend. She had visited before but her driver Rohan hadn't. We chatted briefly and then they both left us to finish our lunch.
We proceeded on our journey to Kilinochi and on the way there was a lot of evidence of war. The most sightful was the bombed water tower in the middle of the Kilinochi City. It's a huge structure and it is well known that the LTTE blew it up during the fierest of the fighting. Another visible sign of the war was the school on the A9 road. There are two new buildings and the remainder of the classrooms are made of poles with pine tree thatching as a roof. If you didn't know better, you'd think you were on some beach and they were bar huts. As we drove further along the road, the remaining frame of a two storey school building was being renovated. At least the shell was intact and could be saved. Sadly this is the story of many buildings on the A9 road to Jaffna.
As we continued the drive, we came to Elephant Pass. This is a famous place as during the war, there was an incident where the LTTE developed an armoured bulldozer which they packed with dynamite with the intention of ramming it into a Military post in the hope of killing many soldiers. Their plan was stopped apparently by one young man who sacrificed his life to plant a grenade into the bulldozer which caused it to explode killing him and it's occupants but apparently saving the lives of hundreds of others. He is a hero in this area with monuments and plaques in his memory.
We travelled through some very desolate terrain with many scars of the war. The most profound for me was the area along the A9 road on the Jaffna Peninsula where beautiful palm trees were now blackened trunks. The area was fire bombed and as far as the eye could see on either side of the road, these blackened trunks protruded into the sky like totems. Another sign was the absence of the metal train tracks. I later found out that the LTTE removed these to use in the building of their underground bunkers. It really showed just how isolated this area and it's people were during the war time.
We arrived in Jaffna at about 6pm, I couldn't believe that it had taken us 9 hours with a 1 hour stop for lunch to drive the 200k's to Jaffna from Anuradhapura. The road conditions were not the best and at one stage, the road surface felt as if you were sailing on the water and of course our load of school things was heavy so we couldn't drive along too quickly.
Once there, we met with the relative of my friend Arul who lives in Noble Park. It was a little difficult finding his home. We found it eventually, along a narrow lane that leads from the Jaffna train station. This is a shell of a building, bombed during the war as it was suspected that the LTTE were using it as their headquarters. Of course no trains were running, no tracks.
They lived in their home during the bombings and it suffered severe damage. Fortunately no one was injured but I'm sure the scars of living through such an ordeal have had an impact on their health and lives.
It was difficult to find accomodation but this gentleman was kind enough to help. There is very little accomodation in Jaffna apart from a few Guest Houses that have sprung up in people's homes. This gentleman and Raja went to look at a couple of Guest Houses, one was not suitable but the other was OK. No Driver accomodation for Raja so he ended up sharing the room with me, what else could we do.
Funny thing was, as we arrived, this young man came to me and asked, "Madam, do you remember me"? I was puzzled, how would someone so far north know me and where from. Then it hit me, he was the American woman from the US Embassy's driver. He was also staying at this Guest House.
Time for sleep now or so I thought. There was a bar at the front of the premises and being Saturday night, many of the local men had come for a drink or ten. They sang very loudly until about 12.30am, I couldn't get to sleep. Finally I did nod off and then the local dogs decided they'd get a chorus going, well they went on and one. It was now 2am and still I've not slept apart from a few minutes here and there. Finally sleep came and at about 4.30am, the gate which was located near to the window in the room which happened to be where my head was clanged with someone opening and shutting it. I jumped out of my skin with fright. At 6am, Raja and I were both awoken with the sound of grinding coconut which is used to make Pol Sambal. We had ordered Pol Sambal as part of our breakfast so I guess we knew that we were getting.
What to do now but just talk and laugh over the events of the sleepless night. I thought that Raja had slept well but he also had a slepless night. Oh, I forgot to mention, the temperature was high and during the night, the power went off 3 times so each time, I had to get up and start the airconditioner. You can't sleep in this region without an airconditioner. Anyway, it gave us something to tell of our experience in Jaffna.
Now it's Sunday and we have decided to spend the morning being tourists and just taking in the sights of the area. One place that I had wanted to visit was Nallur Temple. This is a very big and famous Hindu Temple. It is majestic to say the least. We ventured to what is known as the never ending well, not too sure how that all works but none the less, I saw it along with bus loads of local people from all area's of the Island.
We also visited the famous swimming baths at a place called Kankesanthurai. This is a small place some 12k's from the City of Jaffna. Along the way, we drove through a small village, road workers were busy on road construction. Everywhere I looked on either side of the road and into the scrub all I could see were bombed out homes. About 100 of them but who knows what was further inland that I couldn't see from the road. Not any sign of life here. It was earie and moving. I felt really moved to see this destruction as I contemplated the loss of life here. Buses packed with people from everywhere use this road and I think to myself if they also feel as moved as I do as they pass through on their way to spend leisure time at the swimming baths and beach area.
We arrived at the swimming baths about 20 minutes later and there were hundreds of local tourists visiting for the day. It was a nice place but definately a place that I didn't feel comfortable visiting. The baths reminded me of the Roman style of baths, dug deep into the ground with stone steps heading downwards to the water. One side for men and the other for women. Of course the men were yahoooing and bombing into the water as men to and the ladies on their side were quiet and sedate in the way they entered the water.
Now our time here in Jaffna is over and we need to leave to head back to Killinochi so that we can visit the Department of Education the following morning (Monday) to see if we can find a small school in that area that we can support.
The journey to Killinochi will take most of the afternoon so we have lunch in Jaffna City at a place called Taste of Jaffna. The food is nice but the food at our Guest House was much nicer, anyway, we need to eat before we continue our journey.
Wednesday, 12 October 2011
Going North
Back in Colombo now working out how we'll deliver all the things I have for Goonapitiyawa and Wellaragama school and include the things for a new school further North to Kilinochi. All the things won't fit into Raja's car so we need to have an alternative plan.
Time is of the essence as his son Sasitha's wedding on on October 27th and Raja needs to be back in Colombo to organise a suit for himself for the wedding and take care of any other last minute things.
We decide to visit Goonapitiyawa school for the official opening of the toilet, ask the Principal of Wellaragama school to take the measurements of the childrens feet for us to collect and order at the footwear distributer for collection the following week, this will give us the opportunity to travel to Kilinochi to meet with the Education Division Secretary to get informaton about a small school in that area for us to visit.
Because a weekend will occur, we decide to make the journey to Jaffna which is about 47k's further on than Kilinochi. It will be my first visit and Raja's first visit in more than 20 years.
Kilinochi and Jaffna were badly effected during the war period by both the LTTE and Sri Lankan Military forces so I'm not too sure what I'll be greeted with. Anyway, we've decided to go there.
We eventually get the car packed for our departure on Wednesday morning. It's hot and we're delayed so don't leave Colombo until about 11.30am. It will be a long day of slow travelling to Anuradhapura for us. The weight of the goods in the car ensures a slow drive. It's just 200 k's but with the road surface being so bumpy and some major roads are under reconstruction with lots of detours and delays our trip will take all day.
On the 1st of October, seatbelts for front seat passengers became compulsory and if caught without, a fine will be issued. It's hard for Raja to fall into the habit of wearing a seatbelt so I'm always reminding him. It's uncomfortable for him to have the constriction of a seatbelt but he knows that if he's caught without the belt on, the Police will issue a fine. It's revenue raising for both the Police and Government coffers so we shouldn't give them any reason to try and issue a fine.
We arrive at Kurenagala for lunch but now it's almost 2.30pm. We've still got a long drive ahead so we don't spend too much time eating. Just a quick rice and curry although I do have reason to question the bill. Its expensive and after a big discussion with 3 staff members, the bill is reduced and I'm reasonably happy.
We continue our journey through the hills and by ways until we are pulled over by the Police. Raja was overtaking 3 trucks and a bus on a section of hill road that was being resurfaced. I'm shocked and so is he. Neither of us could work out what he did wrong and he even had his seatbelt on.
He gets out of the car to go and speak with the Police officer and another comes over to me. He asks all sorts of invasive questions, I answer because I don't want to make the situation any worse. This Offier's English is good so I ask him what Raja did wrong. He says, "he over took on a hill". I say, there were no solid lines, single or double so how were we to know not to do that. The vision was clear for him. I also tell him I am a driver in Australia and know the laws, they are the same for us there as they are here. I also tell him that Raja is a good driver and if he is fined, I will go to court with him as his witness that he did nothing wrong. There were no lines marked and no other warning signs not to overtake. I told him also that they shouldn't be fining people if there are no signs or road markings.
He walks off to talk with the other officer and I hear Raja's raised voice also. This officer comes back and I repeat my message, he says to me, "Madam, we will not fine him, just checking his documents". I say good, because he did nothing wrong and he is a good driver.
Raja comes back to the car, we drive off and then he tells me the story. When he also protested that there were no lines marked on the road and no signs warning no to overtake in this area, the Police Officer asked him is he would be happy to tell that to a Judge. Of couse he said yes, take me to court. At that time, the Officer who spoke to me told the other officer that I said I would be Raja's witness in Court.
What a laugh, anyway, we're on our way again and we stop at Dambulla to get some drining water as the water at Anuradhapura is not good for drinking and who knows whats available for us further North.
It's late in the evening when we arrive at the Hotel and we take the items from the car that are for the school at Kilinochi. We do this because the roads to the Goonapitiyawa school are dirt and we don't know the condition as to whether the car can go there with such a weight.
The following morning we go to the school to meet the new Principal, see the condition of the toilet that In My Heart Serendib funded and to ensure that all the children will attend school the following day for the official toilet opening ceremony, ha ha..
We've been invited to have lunch with one of the teachers and her family. We meet them all and have a very nice rice and curry, cooked to my taste.
After we bid them farewell, we visit the Principal from the Wellaragama School to collect the prints of the childrens feet so that we can order the school shoes for them. To my surprise, this Principals wife is pregnant and due to have the baby on 11th October. I hope to be able to see the baby just after it's born because we will be coming back to this area the following week.
We head to the shoe distributor so place the order. I select the shoe style and arrange to collect the shoes the following week on Wednesday or Thursday.
Now it's dark so we head back to the hotel for the evening. It seems to me that we've done very little but somehow the day is over. How many times have I contemplated this, driving in Sri Lanka consumes hours of your day. To travel 12k's to this little school takes almost 1 hour. We're driving slow, there's roadworks and the other roads are in a poor condition. You would think now that I'd be used to this but I don't think one can every get used to how much times is spent on driving from point A to point B.
I prepare everything for our school visit the following day. We're also visiting the little Montessori (kinder) that feeds Goonapitiyawa school. There are 13 children at the Montessori and 8 of them will go to this little school in 2012. I want the parents of these children to know that I am supporting this school and if they send their children there, they will receive the gifts of help of education items from In My Heart Serendib each year.
We spend about 45mins with these little kids. They're so cute, some are just 3 years old. They are typical of their age group. Crying when the mood takes them, not sitting when asked and just generally being 3 -4 year olds. Anyway, they love their little gifts, I've given each of them a little backpack, 1 exercise book, pencil and some simple pre school books for learning Egnlish. I've also left some crayons, texta's and puzzles with the teacher for use with the children. Her English is no so good but I feel that she can manage with the simple ABC, 123 & time.
Next it's on to the school which is a short distance away. They're waiting for us in the school yard and jump with excitment as they see us coming. This time Raja decides to drive into the school yard. This has been difficult because of a dip but he moved a few rocks the prevous day to make it possible today.
We ask the children to help carry all the things into the classroom and then Raja and I are asked to come to the office to have tea.
I am surprised when I walk in to see one of the teachers who last time was pregnant. She had come along with her little baby who is just 5 months old. She's also brought her 4 year old son and 8 year old daughter. It's lovely to see her and fortunately I'd brought with me a gift for her and her baby. I just didn't have anything for her 2 other children but I'm used to doing the loaves and fishes so I manage to prepare gifts for them as well.
I check the toilet and there's been a red ribbon placed across the door which will be cut by me and a grade 5 girl at the opening ceremony. I ask, "who is going to be the first to use the toilet", they all laugh and say no no no....meaning not one of them. I understand fully as I wouldn't want to be the first one to use it either knowing that everyone will know.
Next it's into the classroom to start the gift giving procedure. Lots of parents have arrived which is wonderful, I know most of them from previous times. I decide that they should also join in the handing out of the things to the children. Why should it always be me. They are very supportive of me and I want to share with them.
I'm really happy to know that we have 100% attendance today. Each child is very happy to receive their school bag, books, reading books, library bag, pencils and other items that we've brought for them. They laugh and chatter to each other and then I give the toys. This is always the highlight for the children. They love the little toys as all children love toys. I even manage to give the babies a little toy as well.
I've given balls, cricket bats and balls, skipping ropes and general playground equipment. One of the teachers teaches the children English so I've left some basic reading, writing and math books for her to use for her lesson preparations. It's very hard to get good material to use so she's thrilled with these books,
The Principal makes a speech and the children listen intently, Raja then speaks, he's done this many times before asking that still all the children should come to school everyday. He tells that this lady(me) is very happy when I hear that the children are at school and I want them to get a good educaiton so that they can go to University. It's so true, if only one of these children makes it to University, all of this work will have a purpose.
Children in these very poor rural communities often dont' have the chance of further education and very few make it to year 9. They end up working on the farms or moving away from their villages to find labouring work in other area's and the girls usually end up marrying at a young age with very few skills that will get them paid employment.
I then talk to the children about how happy I am to keep coming back to this little school and I can remember when the grade 5 boy was in grade 1 and now he is going off to the big school next year to start grade 6. It's hard to believe that I've been visiting this school for 5 years to see that progress. I was also able to point out other children whom I've known since grade 1 and now to see their progress is makeing me very happy. They all understand as Raja is translating for me. I also tell them that I hope that in 2012, they can tell me that one of the children has sat and been awarded a scholarship. This would be fantastic and the parents all clap at hearing this. In Sri Lanka, a scholarship is a wonderful thing to be awarded and the Principal also agrees that that's also his wish for these children and this little school.
Soon it's all over and we are invited to eat lunch. The parents have prepared a very nice local lunch for us. I'm hungry by now so enjoy what they've prepared for us. Unfortunately the meat is fish so I don't eat that but the rest is very tasy and hot which I like.
We leave the school at about 3.30 to head to the hotel but drop the teacher with the baby at ther home on the way. It's hot and her husband had come with the motorbike. They had so much stuff to take with them plus themselves, 2 adults, 2 children and 1 baby. The car is airconditioned so much more comfortable for the baby and of course no dust.
We bid them all farewell and make our way back to the hotel to prepare for the following days journey to Kilinochi and Jaffna in the far North of Sri Lanka.
What to expect, I don't know.
Time is of the essence as his son Sasitha's wedding on on October 27th and Raja needs to be back in Colombo to organise a suit for himself for the wedding and take care of any other last minute things.
We decide to visit Goonapitiyawa school for the official opening of the toilet, ask the Principal of Wellaragama school to take the measurements of the childrens feet for us to collect and order at the footwear distributer for collection the following week, this will give us the opportunity to travel to Kilinochi to meet with the Education Division Secretary to get informaton about a small school in that area for us to visit.
Because a weekend will occur, we decide to make the journey to Jaffna which is about 47k's further on than Kilinochi. It will be my first visit and Raja's first visit in more than 20 years.
Kilinochi and Jaffna were badly effected during the war period by both the LTTE and Sri Lankan Military forces so I'm not too sure what I'll be greeted with. Anyway, we've decided to go there.
We eventually get the car packed for our departure on Wednesday morning. It's hot and we're delayed so don't leave Colombo until about 11.30am. It will be a long day of slow travelling to Anuradhapura for us. The weight of the goods in the car ensures a slow drive. It's just 200 k's but with the road surface being so bumpy and some major roads are under reconstruction with lots of detours and delays our trip will take all day.
On the 1st of October, seatbelts for front seat passengers became compulsory and if caught without, a fine will be issued. It's hard for Raja to fall into the habit of wearing a seatbelt so I'm always reminding him. It's uncomfortable for him to have the constriction of a seatbelt but he knows that if he's caught without the belt on, the Police will issue a fine. It's revenue raising for both the Police and Government coffers so we shouldn't give them any reason to try and issue a fine.
We arrive at Kurenagala for lunch but now it's almost 2.30pm. We've still got a long drive ahead so we don't spend too much time eating. Just a quick rice and curry although I do have reason to question the bill. Its expensive and after a big discussion with 3 staff members, the bill is reduced and I'm reasonably happy.
We continue our journey through the hills and by ways until we are pulled over by the Police. Raja was overtaking 3 trucks and a bus on a section of hill road that was being resurfaced. I'm shocked and so is he. Neither of us could work out what he did wrong and he even had his seatbelt on.
He gets out of the car to go and speak with the Police officer and another comes over to me. He asks all sorts of invasive questions, I answer because I don't want to make the situation any worse. This Offier's English is good so I ask him what Raja did wrong. He says, "he over took on a hill". I say, there were no solid lines, single or double so how were we to know not to do that. The vision was clear for him. I also tell him I am a driver in Australia and know the laws, they are the same for us there as they are here. I also tell him that Raja is a good driver and if he is fined, I will go to court with him as his witness that he did nothing wrong. There were no lines marked and no other warning signs not to overtake. I told him also that they shouldn't be fining people if there are no signs or road markings.
He walks off to talk with the other officer and I hear Raja's raised voice also. This officer comes back and I repeat my message, he says to me, "Madam, we will not fine him, just checking his documents". I say good, because he did nothing wrong and he is a good driver.
Raja comes back to the car, we drive off and then he tells me the story. When he also protested that there were no lines marked on the road and no signs warning no to overtake in this area, the Police Officer asked him is he would be happy to tell that to a Judge. Of couse he said yes, take me to court. At that time, the Officer who spoke to me told the other officer that I said I would be Raja's witness in Court.
What a laugh, anyway, we're on our way again and we stop at Dambulla to get some drining water as the water at Anuradhapura is not good for drinking and who knows whats available for us further North.
It's late in the evening when we arrive at the Hotel and we take the items from the car that are for the school at Kilinochi. We do this because the roads to the Goonapitiyawa school are dirt and we don't know the condition as to whether the car can go there with such a weight.
The following morning we go to the school to meet the new Principal, see the condition of the toilet that In My Heart Serendib funded and to ensure that all the children will attend school the following day for the official toilet opening ceremony, ha ha..
We've been invited to have lunch with one of the teachers and her family. We meet them all and have a very nice rice and curry, cooked to my taste.
After we bid them farewell, we visit the Principal from the Wellaragama School to collect the prints of the childrens feet so that we can order the school shoes for them. To my surprise, this Principals wife is pregnant and due to have the baby on 11th October. I hope to be able to see the baby just after it's born because we will be coming back to this area the following week.
We head to the shoe distributor so place the order. I select the shoe style and arrange to collect the shoes the following week on Wednesday or Thursday.
Now it's dark so we head back to the hotel for the evening. It seems to me that we've done very little but somehow the day is over. How many times have I contemplated this, driving in Sri Lanka consumes hours of your day. To travel 12k's to this little school takes almost 1 hour. We're driving slow, there's roadworks and the other roads are in a poor condition. You would think now that I'd be used to this but I don't think one can every get used to how much times is spent on driving from point A to point B.
I prepare everything for our school visit the following day. We're also visiting the little Montessori (kinder) that feeds Goonapitiyawa school. There are 13 children at the Montessori and 8 of them will go to this little school in 2012. I want the parents of these children to know that I am supporting this school and if they send their children there, they will receive the gifts of help of education items from In My Heart Serendib each year.
We spend about 45mins with these little kids. They're so cute, some are just 3 years old. They are typical of their age group. Crying when the mood takes them, not sitting when asked and just generally being 3 -4 year olds. Anyway, they love their little gifts, I've given each of them a little backpack, 1 exercise book, pencil and some simple pre school books for learning Egnlish. I've also left some crayons, texta's and puzzles with the teacher for use with the children. Her English is no so good but I feel that she can manage with the simple ABC, 123 & time.
Next it's on to the school which is a short distance away. They're waiting for us in the school yard and jump with excitment as they see us coming. This time Raja decides to drive into the school yard. This has been difficult because of a dip but he moved a few rocks the prevous day to make it possible today.
We ask the children to help carry all the things into the classroom and then Raja and I are asked to come to the office to have tea.
I am surprised when I walk in to see one of the teachers who last time was pregnant. She had come along with her little baby who is just 5 months old. She's also brought her 4 year old son and 8 year old daughter. It's lovely to see her and fortunately I'd brought with me a gift for her and her baby. I just didn't have anything for her 2 other children but I'm used to doing the loaves and fishes so I manage to prepare gifts for them as well.
I check the toilet and there's been a red ribbon placed across the door which will be cut by me and a grade 5 girl at the opening ceremony. I ask, "who is going to be the first to use the toilet", they all laugh and say no no no....meaning not one of them. I understand fully as I wouldn't want to be the first one to use it either knowing that everyone will know.
Next it's into the classroom to start the gift giving procedure. Lots of parents have arrived which is wonderful, I know most of them from previous times. I decide that they should also join in the handing out of the things to the children. Why should it always be me. They are very supportive of me and I want to share with them.
I'm really happy to know that we have 100% attendance today. Each child is very happy to receive their school bag, books, reading books, library bag, pencils and other items that we've brought for them. They laugh and chatter to each other and then I give the toys. This is always the highlight for the children. They love the little toys as all children love toys. I even manage to give the babies a little toy as well.
I've given balls, cricket bats and balls, skipping ropes and general playground equipment. One of the teachers teaches the children English so I've left some basic reading, writing and math books for her to use for her lesson preparations. It's very hard to get good material to use so she's thrilled with these books,
The Principal makes a speech and the children listen intently, Raja then speaks, he's done this many times before asking that still all the children should come to school everyday. He tells that this lady(me) is very happy when I hear that the children are at school and I want them to get a good educaiton so that they can go to University. It's so true, if only one of these children makes it to University, all of this work will have a purpose.
Children in these very poor rural communities often dont' have the chance of further education and very few make it to year 9. They end up working on the farms or moving away from their villages to find labouring work in other area's and the girls usually end up marrying at a young age with very few skills that will get them paid employment.
I then talk to the children about how happy I am to keep coming back to this little school and I can remember when the grade 5 boy was in grade 1 and now he is going off to the big school next year to start grade 6. It's hard to believe that I've been visiting this school for 5 years to see that progress. I was also able to point out other children whom I've known since grade 1 and now to see their progress is makeing me very happy. They all understand as Raja is translating for me. I also tell them that I hope that in 2012, they can tell me that one of the children has sat and been awarded a scholarship. This would be fantastic and the parents all clap at hearing this. In Sri Lanka, a scholarship is a wonderful thing to be awarded and the Principal also agrees that that's also his wish for these children and this little school.
Soon it's all over and we are invited to eat lunch. The parents have prepared a very nice local lunch for us. I'm hungry by now so enjoy what they've prepared for us. Unfortunately the meat is fish so I don't eat that but the rest is very tasy and hot which I like.
We leave the school at about 3.30 to head to the hotel but drop the teacher with the baby at ther home on the way. It's hot and her husband had come with the motorbike. They had so much stuff to take with them plus themselves, 2 adults, 2 children and 1 baby. The car is airconditioned so much more comfortable for the baby and of course no dust.
We bid them all farewell and make our way back to the hotel to prepare for the following days journey to Kilinochi and Jaffna in the far North of Sri Lanka.
What to expect, I don't know.
Ratnapura Education & Welfare Centre Festival
I've been invited to be a part of the Official Guests at the presentation of the Award Certificates for the children who have entered and won prizes in the competitions held by Rev. Sumanajothi at the Welfare & Education Centre.
More than 180 children entered the competitions and there were 5 categories, Music and Folk Songs, Drawing, Copy Writing, Dictation (spelling) and General Knowledge. Of the children who entered, 83 of them will receive a certificate for the category they have won a prize in and a gift from me of education packs and English story books along with a Harry Potter Library bag.
Raja and I travel to Ratnapura on Friday 31st so that we can take the gifts to the Welfare Centre for the following day which will make everything easier. We then only have to prepare ourselves for the event which starts at 2pm.
We've been asked to come early so that we can have lunch at the Welfare Centre. It's very very hot so I decide to take my clothes with me so that I can change at the last moments and feel a little refreshed.
I'm to make a speach to the parents and children so I've asked Raja to help me so that I can say it in Sinhalese. It is so very difficult for me to get the intonation of the language correct, I'm very nervous about it all. I practice the small item over and over again. The rest of my speech, I have written in English and Raja will translate each paragraph into Sinhalese for me as I speak. It should work well I think.
I'll be speaking to approximately 250 people which include the Provincial Council Members, (Mayor's), Police Comissioner, 10 Chief Monks from the District and a number of other important members of the Community who hold respected positions.
It's time to leave for the Welfare Centre so that we can prepare everything for the event, have lunch and then the Festival will start.
When we arrive at the Centre, it's already 12.30, very hot and I'm melting. There's already a crowd waiting and another group of people preparing the hall. Yes this time there's a hall. All the prevous events have been held on the grass outside for lack of space. This is how much the building has progressed in the short time since I was here in January. Apparently the workmen have worked through the night to lay the concrete under the verandah and to get the roofing material on and secured. It's a great effort by them because it looks great.
Before long, the other special guests arrive, I'm introduced to the Provincal Council Member and then I greet the others that I know as they arrive.
All too soon it's time for the event to start. The drummers come to us and start drumming, thee Folk dancers also come and then they lead us in music and dance to the hall where I am given a floral posie and we are led to our seats.
Rev. Sumanajothi welcomes everyone and speaks to the crowd informing them of the proceeding for the day. A number of official guests are invited onto the stage to be part of the traditional Buddhist welcome of lighting the flame. It's a nice tradition and I'm pleased to have been invited to be a part of this ceremony again.
After this, Rev. Sumanajothi talks of the efforts of achievement of the children who entered the competition followed by the announcement that he has written a book of poems about Ratnapura and the
tusker elephant and the Temple of the Tooth at Kandy. I wasn't aware that this was happening at this Festival and was interested to hear one of the poems being sung by Rev. Nawaloka who is famous for his singing voice. Although I couldn't understand much of what was being sung, the rythymn of the poem to song was soothing.
By now we'd all been sitting in the hall for more than an hour, I feel as if I was melting, My hair's limp from perspiration and I'm scared that my mascara will be running down my cheeks. I have my invitation so I use that as a fan. I have a little relief from that and now and again a slight breeze blows.
Very soon it's my turn to speak, I'm so very nervous about speaking in Sinhalese. I stand in front of the lectun, Raja is behind me. I start and my mind goes blank for the pronunciation. I breathe deeply and then it comes. I'm not sure if I'm saying it as locals would but I take my time and pray like mad...
The next part is easy, I'm to speak in English and Raja will translate. He made notes in the morning so all he has to do is read.
By now I understand enough spoken Sinhalese and realise that he's not saying the paragraphs in the correct sequence. For those in the audience who understand English, I can see the confusion on their faces but what could I do but continue and hope that he puts his part together.
I had lots of nods from Rev. Sumanajothi even though it was all out of sequence so I guess it all worked out and very soon it was all over and we could go and sit down again.
Now its time for the children to perform. There is dancing of local tradition dance, singing from the competition winner, a small story from the story writing winner.
This is followed by the presentation of the Certificates and gifts to each child. Invited guests are requested to come onto the stage to make the presentations to the children. I am to give each of the children the English story books, another will give the certificates, another the education packs and another the library bags.
This process for 83 children takes almost 1 hour, and then it's all over apart from one of the parents makig a Thank You speech to me for the support that we at In My Heart Serendib give to these children.
By now we'd been in the sweltering hall for more than 3 hours, my clothes are totally soaked with perspiraton and I need to have a drink. I'm still recovering from my sickness and don't want to have an issue with hydration as well.
Once outside, competition winning children and their parents want to have a photo with me and then Rev. Sumanajothi wants a group photo of all 83 children, him and me. A little hard for Raja to do with my little camera but he manages to take 2 shots from different angels.
Many of the parents and children know me now and want to come and talk with me. It's so nice that I've become a familiar person to them and that they all want to express their genuine appreciation for everything. The children want to tell me how happy they are with their gifts and will look forward to seeing me again in 2012.
The sun is setting, the children and their families slowly leave for home. It's been a really nice afternoon and I'm really pleased that the children are confident to come up to me and speak in English. This extra English learning will help them to have University opportunities and give them a better future. They of course can take private English lessons but coming from such poor families, this additional cost is prohibative for most of them. These free English lessons that Rev. Sumanajothi offers is a wonderful thing for these children.
Rev. Sumanajothi, his Secretary, some of his helpers for the day and Raja and I sit down for a well deserved cup of tea and a snack. I could drink a litre of tea I'm so thirsty. It's now getting dark and we've been invited to stay and eat the lunch food for dinner. There's apparently enough and they will cook fresh rice. We have no objection to this offer, it will give us all a little time to talk about the Festival and consider how successful it was.
At about 9pm, Raja and I leave for the hotel, it is near the Secretaries home so we give her a lift. I'm really exchausted and feeling very dirty. I look forward to a nice long and cool shower before falling into bed for what I know will be the sleep of the dead.
The hotel is at Bopath Falls which is within a two minute walk to a very pretty water fall. From the chalet rooms, you can hear the water falling, its very soothing and relaxing.
On Sunday 2nd, now that the Festival is over, it's time to return to Colombo so that we can sort and load the car for the next journey to Anuradhapura and then to Kilinochi to try and locate a small school in that area that we can help.
More than 180 children entered the competitions and there were 5 categories, Music and Folk Songs, Drawing, Copy Writing, Dictation (spelling) and General Knowledge. Of the children who entered, 83 of them will receive a certificate for the category they have won a prize in and a gift from me of education packs and English story books along with a Harry Potter Library bag.
Raja and I travel to Ratnapura on Friday 31st so that we can take the gifts to the Welfare Centre for the following day which will make everything easier. We then only have to prepare ourselves for the event which starts at 2pm.
We've been asked to come early so that we can have lunch at the Welfare Centre. It's very very hot so I decide to take my clothes with me so that I can change at the last moments and feel a little refreshed.
I'm to make a speach to the parents and children so I've asked Raja to help me so that I can say it in Sinhalese. It is so very difficult for me to get the intonation of the language correct, I'm very nervous about it all. I practice the small item over and over again. The rest of my speech, I have written in English and Raja will translate each paragraph into Sinhalese for me as I speak. It should work well I think.
I'll be speaking to approximately 250 people which include the Provincial Council Members, (Mayor's), Police Comissioner, 10 Chief Monks from the District and a number of other important members of the Community who hold respected positions.
It's time to leave for the Welfare Centre so that we can prepare everything for the event, have lunch and then the Festival will start.
When we arrive at the Centre, it's already 12.30, very hot and I'm melting. There's already a crowd waiting and another group of people preparing the hall. Yes this time there's a hall. All the prevous events have been held on the grass outside for lack of space. This is how much the building has progressed in the short time since I was here in January. Apparently the workmen have worked through the night to lay the concrete under the verandah and to get the roofing material on and secured. It's a great effort by them because it looks great.
Before long, the other special guests arrive, I'm introduced to the Provincal Council Member and then I greet the others that I know as they arrive.
All too soon it's time for the event to start. The drummers come to us and start drumming, thee Folk dancers also come and then they lead us in music and dance to the hall where I am given a floral posie and we are led to our seats.
Rev. Sumanajothi welcomes everyone and speaks to the crowd informing them of the proceeding for the day. A number of official guests are invited onto the stage to be part of the traditional Buddhist welcome of lighting the flame. It's a nice tradition and I'm pleased to have been invited to be a part of this ceremony again.
After this, Rev. Sumanajothi talks of the efforts of achievement of the children who entered the competition followed by the announcement that he has written a book of poems about Ratnapura and the
tusker elephant and the Temple of the Tooth at Kandy. I wasn't aware that this was happening at this Festival and was interested to hear one of the poems being sung by Rev. Nawaloka who is famous for his singing voice. Although I couldn't understand much of what was being sung, the rythymn of the poem to song was soothing.
By now we'd all been sitting in the hall for more than an hour, I feel as if I was melting, My hair's limp from perspiration and I'm scared that my mascara will be running down my cheeks. I have my invitation so I use that as a fan. I have a little relief from that and now and again a slight breeze blows.
Very soon it's my turn to speak, I'm so very nervous about speaking in Sinhalese. I stand in front of the lectun, Raja is behind me. I start and my mind goes blank for the pronunciation. I breathe deeply and then it comes. I'm not sure if I'm saying it as locals would but I take my time and pray like mad...
The next part is easy, I'm to speak in English and Raja will translate. He made notes in the morning so all he has to do is read.
By now I understand enough spoken Sinhalese and realise that he's not saying the paragraphs in the correct sequence. For those in the audience who understand English, I can see the confusion on their faces but what could I do but continue and hope that he puts his part together.
I had lots of nods from Rev. Sumanajothi even though it was all out of sequence so I guess it all worked out and very soon it was all over and we could go and sit down again.
Now its time for the children to perform. There is dancing of local tradition dance, singing from the competition winner, a small story from the story writing winner.
This is followed by the presentation of the Certificates and gifts to each child. Invited guests are requested to come onto the stage to make the presentations to the children. I am to give each of the children the English story books, another will give the certificates, another the education packs and another the library bags.
This process for 83 children takes almost 1 hour, and then it's all over apart from one of the parents makig a Thank You speech to me for the support that we at In My Heart Serendib give to these children.
By now we'd been in the sweltering hall for more than 3 hours, my clothes are totally soaked with perspiraton and I need to have a drink. I'm still recovering from my sickness and don't want to have an issue with hydration as well.
Once outside, competition winning children and their parents want to have a photo with me and then Rev. Sumanajothi wants a group photo of all 83 children, him and me. A little hard for Raja to do with my little camera but he manages to take 2 shots from different angels.
Many of the parents and children know me now and want to come and talk with me. It's so nice that I've become a familiar person to them and that they all want to express their genuine appreciation for everything. The children want to tell me how happy they are with their gifts and will look forward to seeing me again in 2012.
The sun is setting, the children and their families slowly leave for home. It's been a really nice afternoon and I'm really pleased that the children are confident to come up to me and speak in English. This extra English learning will help them to have University opportunities and give them a better future. They of course can take private English lessons but coming from such poor families, this additional cost is prohibative for most of them. These free English lessons that Rev. Sumanajothi offers is a wonderful thing for these children.
Rev. Sumanajothi, his Secretary, some of his helpers for the day and Raja and I sit down for a well deserved cup of tea and a snack. I could drink a litre of tea I'm so thirsty. It's now getting dark and we've been invited to stay and eat the lunch food for dinner. There's apparently enough and they will cook fresh rice. We have no objection to this offer, it will give us all a little time to talk about the Festival and consider how successful it was.
At about 9pm, Raja and I leave for the hotel, it is near the Secretaries home so we give her a lift. I'm really exchausted and feeling very dirty. I look forward to a nice long and cool shower before falling into bed for what I know will be the sleep of the dead.
The hotel is at Bopath Falls which is within a two minute walk to a very pretty water fall. From the chalet rooms, you can hear the water falling, its very soothing and relaxing.
On Sunday 2nd, now that the Festival is over, it's time to return to Colombo so that we can sort and load the car for the next journey to Anuradhapura and then to Kilinochi to try and locate a small school in that area that we can help.
Friday, 7 October 2011
What a week it's been!!
Today we're to leave Hambantota for Panama which is in the district of Pottuvil. We decide that on the way, we'll call at the Seth Sevana Mentally Handicapped Orphanage at Thanamalwila.
I usually visit these children and young adults to see how they're getting on. There is very little that I can take to them that they can use so I now buy food items that they don't often get. Usually it's fruit in season and yoghurt.
This time it's very hot and dry and not much in the way of fruit choice so I decide to buy dates from the local shop as well as the yoghurt.
We usually don't annouce our arrival, juststop by.
Gihan drives the van to the gate, the usual boy Kumara opens the gate and looks at us with suspicion. I later learn that they are expecting two vans with 4 families who will come to do Alms giving. Remember I mentioned it earlier at the Methmal Orphanage.
Anyway, once we get out of the van, he recognises our faces and his face opens into a big grin. He yells for the Manager to come, the white lady is here again.
We greet him and explain our visit. He sends for the girls from the other section to come and join the boys for what is now morning tea. They wander across and immediately go into the dining hall. This is a familiar activity for them so I just wait for them all to be seated before I enter to start and distribute the items of food we'd brought with us.
Before too long, with the help of Raja, Gihan, the helping lady for the orphanage and Kumara, everyone has their yoghurt and dates. It's gone all too quickly and as they are drinking water, the 4 families arrive to serve the lunch that they'd brought.
We all venture to the office to have a quick chat with the Manager before we continue our journey to Panama.
All too quickly we leave and as it's just after 12.00, we decide to stop off at Wandinaheliyaya school to let the Principal know which day we would be visiting her school to distribute things to the children.
We then visit Raja's friend and it's then that we decide to stay in the Welawaya area for the night. Raja's friend works at the local sugar plantation and it turns out that there is a guest house there are we are able to stay the night there instead of driving for a few more hours to stay at an unknown hotel.
We all drive along to the sugar plantation, it's dry and very hot. We turn along this very bumpy road and drive for what seems more k's than it really is. After a short time,we enter this estate, it's green and lush. It reminds me of a military camp.
We arrive at this very old building that is in really good condition, it's like an oasis in the desert. It's very British looking..
Very quickly we're registed as guests, Raja's friend goes off to work and I'm taken to my room. It's spacious and clean which is all I ask.
Very soon after, we asked to come to the dining room for lunch. It's very nice local rice and curry. It's been a busy day so we're all pretty hungry.
After lunch, Raja and Gihan go to their room and I decide to go for a walk, There is a golf course so I thought this would be the best place to go. I couldn't imagine that this place existed. As I walk, I spy some very lush greenery ahead, low and behold, there are the largest frangapani trees I've every seen and the flowers were at picking height for me. I ended up with a very fragrant bunch to take back with me. I wander around the golf course for about an hour and then head back.
Now it's time to take my computer, ipod and go and sit on the grass by the pool. "Yes", there's even a pool.
Very soon the day's over, we decide to go to the bar and have a drink before dinner. Raja's friend is the head barman and it's his last week to work before he retires.
Afterour drink, we have dinner and it's time for bed, I'm very tired so look forward to a good nights sleep in this quiet hidden place.
We're up early the next day ready for our long journey to Panama. We're about an hour from Monaragal where we're stopping to buy 40 pairs of thongs and then it's onto Panama some 4 hours drive away.
Raja and Gihan decide that it's best to buy lunch packets (take away) for lunch and we would stop on the roadside to eat at some point when we're hungry. I follow their advice and it works well.
We collect the thongs, buy our food from a Rest House while we have a cup of tea and then proceed.
It's about 2pm when they spot a suitable place for us to get out of the van and eat. It's in the Lahugala National Park. They're wary of elephants, I'm oblivious to this, it's only when I see them looking into the jungle that I realise what's going on. The language barrier works in my favour sometimes.
After driving for what seems like more than enough hours and I've listened to my favourite songs over and over, we arrive in Pottuvil which is the city area before we get to Arugum Bay where we'll be sleeping. Panama has no hotels at all.
It's now late on Saturday afternoon so we just go to the hotel and check in. Raja and Gihan go to their room to shower and I go to my room to do the same. I have a nice balcony so it's refreshing to sit out in the evening and have a drink.
It's live entertainment, in the grounds of the hotel, there is a bar and all the local men pay visits during the day in into the night.
I wish I had a toll booth at the beginning of the road, I'd have made a fortune by the time the wekend was over.
Sunday is a free day for us so we all decide to head to Kumana National Park. Its in the area of Yala East and has just recently re opened after the war. We use the van and hire at Park guide at the entrance.
It's a great safari, we see all sorts of deer, a few elephants, even a dead one. It apparently ate an explosive bait that was laid by farmers and it exploded in it's mouth and it couldn't eat or drink so eventually died. Very sad to see considering that the live population of elephants in Sri Lanka is just over 3500.
A little further along, we come to a very green and wet area that is alive with birdlife. It's delightful to see all the different species that have taken refuge in the park from the outside dry area.
I'm ever hopeful of seeing leopards, but alas, not on this trip,
Before too long, it's 5pm and we must make our way back to the entrance of the park to conclude our safari before dark.
On the way back to Arugum Bay, it's about a 1.5 hour drive, it's dark and we're fearful of coming across elephants on the road. Not before long, our fears have been realised, a big adult elephant is on the very edge of the road, his trunk is up, Gihan stops the van, Raja yells to him to keep driving, In the night, the elephants if frightened can charge a vehicle so that's Raja's concern. Anyway after coming across 5 elephants on the drive from Kumuna to Panama and then Panama to Arugum Bay, we made it safely back but clearly I didn't fully comprehend the potential danger that we were in.
On Monday, we travelled the 15 k's to the Tamil School at Panama. It hadn't changed, still the same two buildings with a huge brick and concrete around the perimeter. Still no trees and it was blazing hot, No where to park the van.
We met with the Assistant Principal as the Principal was away from the school at a Principal meeting in Colombo.
I'd met the Assistant Principal on the last visit, he is one of the teachers at the school. All the same teachers were there all male except 1 single female teacher. She was also away for the day at a meeting.
The children all knew us but were a little more reticent in their greetings. The younger ones were jumping around with joy as all small children do but the older ones were more reserved, particularly the girls. The boys once I started to chat with them and asked for them to help unload the van soon began asking questions using simple English.
We all met with the teachers to enquire of the situation at the school and of the progress of the computer room. I'd bought with me 6 laptops for this school but only if the computer program had commenced. Unfortunately two of the laptops were stolen from the cargo after clearing and before delivery to Raja's so now there are just 4 laptops.
Unfortunately we were told that the school had no power and that had been the situation for more than 2 months. When we asked the reason, non payment of account and arrears, some SR40,000-. I wondered how this could be as the classes are held in the daytime and there's no need for fans as the sea breeze blows through the classrooms well, so very little power is needed.
I found that the Government give SR500- per month for power and any additional usage costs must be met by the teachers and parents. I'm still perplexed, how do they use the power and owe so much money to the power company?
I decide not to leave the laptops. I'm concerned that the teachers will take them home never to be seen again so I think it's safer store them at Raja's home for next time. Maybe the situation will improve with the new Principal.
I ask Raja, Why the problem with the power, how can a school with no visible electrical equipment use so much power and owe somuch money? He tells that it is not uncommon for the teachers to do their cooking in the school, using the school power. When school is over, they also sit in the office using the fan and watching TV. This is why the power bills are so high, but they who use the power, don't seem to realise it's them that must pay the difference between what the Government allows and total of the bill.
On the school grounds, there are a number of living quarters for the Principal, their families and for the teachers. Not often in these rural area's do the teachers live and work in the same village so they must stay for the week and go home on the weekends.
Anyway, after all of this discussion, it's time to visit with the children. We decide to give the chocolate and biscuits first. There's a scramble for them all to get back to their classrooms and be seated before I get there. They're always very happy to eat chocolate and this time, I've also brought some lollies from Australia, they love the flavour of them.
We eventually have all the items arranged and it's time to ask the children to come forward class by class. We start with grade 1. They are so cute, not really sure what to do so the teacher has to lead the first child and ask the others to follow.
They all receive the education pack, rulers, hankies and small toys. They love the toys the most. As we get to the older children, I have wallets for them. They love them and when I'm giving the girls the hairbands, the boys are requesting one for themselves as well. Apparently they're going to wear them as wrist bands.
I have ribbons for the girls hair and the older girls particularly arevery choosy about what colours they like. They're all very respectful and take only two being aware that there are others who haven't yet selected their ribbon. It's refreshing to see how well mannered they are.
The small girls get dolls, they love them. All of the children go home with something other than learning materials.
After all the distribution is finished, it's time to again sit and chat with the staff over a cool drink. It's important for us now to get letters of confirmation of the donations so that I can have confirmation for the next shipment for Sri Lankan Customs and the Inland Revenue Department. The Principal quickly agrees and writes the letter for us listing all of the children in each grade and what we'd donated.
After about three hours, we bid them farewell and tell that we'll see them again in 2012. They all stand outside waving as we make our way out of the school ground and onto the road back to Arugum Bay for our last night in this area.
It's been a tough day for me, I woke this morning with severe back pain from our bumpy journey to Kumana the previous day. I couldn't sit for long enough even to eat breakfast. I'd taken a number of emergency painkillers that I knew would get me through the day. I couldn't not perform my duties this morning for these children. My pain was so bad, once back in Arugum Bay, I needed to get a massage. Fortunately I'd seen a place the previous day so we went there. I couldn't even lift myself up onto the bed, the pain was so bad. They advised me to go to the hospital for a pain injection, of course I couldn't do that. I knew that a massage would be most helpful and then I could manage the rest.
The folowing morning, we're to head to Wellayawa to the Wandinaheliyaya school as promised. I wasn't sure how I would manage that trip, it would take 4 - 5hours and sitting is so bad.
The next morning I awoke, to back pain but also a little case of gastro. I couldn't eat or drink, I kept running to the toilet. How could I manage this trip now. Anyway, we had to go.
I explained to Raja and asked that if I needed to stop, please listen and stop immediately as it would be urgent.
I managed to drink black ginger tea, my tummy settled and we started the travel. I was really nervous about it all. We did made two stops for more toilet and then ginger tea. I made it safely but felt quite ill by then. I hadn't eaten anything for more then 24 hours and I felt very weak. I knew I needed to keep drinking so at least I was able to keep water with sugar down. How could I tell Raja just how sick I felt. He would worry so much.
The follwing morning, we were to go to Wandinaheliyaya school, Raja knew that I wasn't well so headed off to the Auyvedic medicine shop and came back with a liquid that he assured me would settle my stomach. I drank that but still couldn't eat.
We managed to go to the school, I got through the morning.
The Principal and teachers were waiting for us and all clapped as we drove into the school ground. It was nice to see their smiling faces again and the two teachers were the ones who were there last year so I greeted them fondly.
Very quickly seats were arranged in one of the classrooms for the children and tables were arranged with cloths for the gifts to be placed on then the children were all asked to come and sit. There are 31 of them and I quickly learned that one child in grade 5 had been offered a scholarship. This is the first child from this school ever to be awarded a scholarship and it's a big honour for the child, his family and the school.
At the front of the school, there is a sign with the childs photo on it for all to see.
Whilst I prepare the items to be given, Raja and his friend Kumara are handing out the lollies and biscuits to each child.
I'm ready and the process of distributing the gifts to the children begins and before long it's over and each child is chattering and looking at all of the items, conparing with the person sitting next to him or her,
On our next trip to Wandinaheliyaya, we'll buy school shoes for all of the children. On this journey, I have bought slippers (thongs) for each of the children and also given them a pair of school socks along with the usual education pack and some small toys. I've also brought cricket bats and balls along with a number of other items for the playground.
The Principal thanks me for what I do and tells the children that it's important to come along to school each day as this lady from Australia wants them to get a full education so that they can go to University and get a good job for their future.
Again we sit with the Principal and teachers for a cup of tea, my tummies till no good so I opt for black tea with sugar. I feel bad about refusing to eat the food that's been prepared but I date not take the risk.
Whilst having tea, one of the parents comes with two bags full of fruit. Mangoes, Papaya and Woodapple. I didn't realise that they were gifts from the parents for me and Raja. I'm really touched by their kindness, I never expected this and I can tell you, it's a very generous thing for them to do. They are all subsistence farmers and it's the dry period now and there's no rain for planting. They are in the famon period until the rains come at the end of October.
Before long, it's all over and we head to Raja's friend Kumara for lunch. We often visit them and the food they prepare is always very local and good. This time unfortunately, I can't eat any of it. I'm still feeling ill, even after Raja's miracle medicine. It's working but not for too long.
We decide to make the drive to Ratnapura where we'll visit with Rev. Henepola Sumanajothi to clarify arrangements for the upcoming festival on the weekend of 1st October. We take the smooth road (apparently), my back is paining and I'm not well. It will take a little longer but better for my health. I lay down on the van seat and doze until I need to stop for toilet and tea. It's a long journey to Ratnapura, 4 hours but we need to do this.
We arrive at about 5pm and meet with Sumanajothi, confirm preparations for Saturday, have a cup of tea and then at about 6pm proceed to Colombo. This next part of the journey will take about 2 hours.
Because of the time, we arrive at Raja's home at about 8pm, that's in good time.
I'm really sick by now, can't tell anyone. Just want to unload the van, wash have a drink and go to bed. I need to have a good rest for the following day, I need to work to sort out the things for the children at the Festival in Ratnapura on Saturday 1st October.
I usually visit these children and young adults to see how they're getting on. There is very little that I can take to them that they can use so I now buy food items that they don't often get. Usually it's fruit in season and yoghurt.
This time it's very hot and dry and not much in the way of fruit choice so I decide to buy dates from the local shop as well as the yoghurt.
We usually don't annouce our arrival, juststop by.
Gihan drives the van to the gate, the usual boy Kumara opens the gate and looks at us with suspicion. I later learn that they are expecting two vans with 4 families who will come to do Alms giving. Remember I mentioned it earlier at the Methmal Orphanage.
Anyway, once we get out of the van, he recognises our faces and his face opens into a big grin. He yells for the Manager to come, the white lady is here again.
We greet him and explain our visit. He sends for the girls from the other section to come and join the boys for what is now morning tea. They wander across and immediately go into the dining hall. This is a familiar activity for them so I just wait for them all to be seated before I enter to start and distribute the items of food we'd brought with us.
Before too long, with the help of Raja, Gihan, the helping lady for the orphanage and Kumara, everyone has their yoghurt and dates. It's gone all too quickly and as they are drinking water, the 4 families arrive to serve the lunch that they'd brought.
We all venture to the office to have a quick chat with the Manager before we continue our journey to Panama.
All too quickly we leave and as it's just after 12.00, we decide to stop off at Wandinaheliyaya school to let the Principal know which day we would be visiting her school to distribute things to the children.
We then visit Raja's friend and it's then that we decide to stay in the Welawaya area for the night. Raja's friend works at the local sugar plantation and it turns out that there is a guest house there are we are able to stay the night there instead of driving for a few more hours to stay at an unknown hotel.
We all drive along to the sugar plantation, it's dry and very hot. We turn along this very bumpy road and drive for what seems more k's than it really is. After a short time,we enter this estate, it's green and lush. It reminds me of a military camp.
We arrive at this very old building that is in really good condition, it's like an oasis in the desert. It's very British looking..
Very quickly we're registed as guests, Raja's friend goes off to work and I'm taken to my room. It's spacious and clean which is all I ask.
Very soon after, we asked to come to the dining room for lunch. It's very nice local rice and curry. It's been a busy day so we're all pretty hungry.
After lunch, Raja and Gihan go to their room and I decide to go for a walk, There is a golf course so I thought this would be the best place to go. I couldn't imagine that this place existed. As I walk, I spy some very lush greenery ahead, low and behold, there are the largest frangapani trees I've every seen and the flowers were at picking height for me. I ended up with a very fragrant bunch to take back with me. I wander around the golf course for about an hour and then head back.
Now it's time to take my computer, ipod and go and sit on the grass by the pool. "Yes", there's even a pool.
Very soon the day's over, we decide to go to the bar and have a drink before dinner. Raja's friend is the head barman and it's his last week to work before he retires.
Afterour drink, we have dinner and it's time for bed, I'm very tired so look forward to a good nights sleep in this quiet hidden place.
We're up early the next day ready for our long journey to Panama. We're about an hour from Monaragal where we're stopping to buy 40 pairs of thongs and then it's onto Panama some 4 hours drive away.
Raja and Gihan decide that it's best to buy lunch packets (take away) for lunch and we would stop on the roadside to eat at some point when we're hungry. I follow their advice and it works well.
We collect the thongs, buy our food from a Rest House while we have a cup of tea and then proceed.
It's about 2pm when they spot a suitable place for us to get out of the van and eat. It's in the Lahugala National Park. They're wary of elephants, I'm oblivious to this, it's only when I see them looking into the jungle that I realise what's going on. The language barrier works in my favour sometimes.
After driving for what seems like more than enough hours and I've listened to my favourite songs over and over, we arrive in Pottuvil which is the city area before we get to Arugum Bay where we'll be sleeping. Panama has no hotels at all.
It's now late on Saturday afternoon so we just go to the hotel and check in. Raja and Gihan go to their room to shower and I go to my room to do the same. I have a nice balcony so it's refreshing to sit out in the evening and have a drink.
It's live entertainment, in the grounds of the hotel, there is a bar and all the local men pay visits during the day in into the night.
I wish I had a toll booth at the beginning of the road, I'd have made a fortune by the time the wekend was over.
Sunday is a free day for us so we all decide to head to Kumana National Park. Its in the area of Yala East and has just recently re opened after the war. We use the van and hire at Park guide at the entrance.
It's a great safari, we see all sorts of deer, a few elephants, even a dead one. It apparently ate an explosive bait that was laid by farmers and it exploded in it's mouth and it couldn't eat or drink so eventually died. Very sad to see considering that the live population of elephants in Sri Lanka is just over 3500.
A little further along, we come to a very green and wet area that is alive with birdlife. It's delightful to see all the different species that have taken refuge in the park from the outside dry area.
I'm ever hopeful of seeing leopards, but alas, not on this trip,
Before too long, it's 5pm and we must make our way back to the entrance of the park to conclude our safari before dark.
On the way back to Arugum Bay, it's about a 1.5 hour drive, it's dark and we're fearful of coming across elephants on the road. Not before long, our fears have been realised, a big adult elephant is on the very edge of the road, his trunk is up, Gihan stops the van, Raja yells to him to keep driving, In the night, the elephants if frightened can charge a vehicle so that's Raja's concern. Anyway after coming across 5 elephants on the drive from Kumuna to Panama and then Panama to Arugum Bay, we made it safely back but clearly I didn't fully comprehend the potential danger that we were in.
On Monday, we travelled the 15 k's to the Tamil School at Panama. It hadn't changed, still the same two buildings with a huge brick and concrete around the perimeter. Still no trees and it was blazing hot, No where to park the van.
We met with the Assistant Principal as the Principal was away from the school at a Principal meeting in Colombo.
I'd met the Assistant Principal on the last visit, he is one of the teachers at the school. All the same teachers were there all male except 1 single female teacher. She was also away for the day at a meeting.
The children all knew us but were a little more reticent in their greetings. The younger ones were jumping around with joy as all small children do but the older ones were more reserved, particularly the girls. The boys once I started to chat with them and asked for them to help unload the van soon began asking questions using simple English.
We all met with the teachers to enquire of the situation at the school and of the progress of the computer room. I'd bought with me 6 laptops for this school but only if the computer program had commenced. Unfortunately two of the laptops were stolen from the cargo after clearing and before delivery to Raja's so now there are just 4 laptops.
Unfortunately we were told that the school had no power and that had been the situation for more than 2 months. When we asked the reason, non payment of account and arrears, some SR40,000-. I wondered how this could be as the classes are held in the daytime and there's no need for fans as the sea breeze blows through the classrooms well, so very little power is needed.
I found that the Government give SR500- per month for power and any additional usage costs must be met by the teachers and parents. I'm still perplexed, how do they use the power and owe so much money to the power company?
I decide not to leave the laptops. I'm concerned that the teachers will take them home never to be seen again so I think it's safer store them at Raja's home for next time. Maybe the situation will improve with the new Principal.
I ask Raja, Why the problem with the power, how can a school with no visible electrical equipment use so much power and owe somuch money? He tells that it is not uncommon for the teachers to do their cooking in the school, using the school power. When school is over, they also sit in the office using the fan and watching TV. This is why the power bills are so high, but they who use the power, don't seem to realise it's them that must pay the difference between what the Government allows and total of the bill.
On the school grounds, there are a number of living quarters for the Principal, their families and for the teachers. Not often in these rural area's do the teachers live and work in the same village so they must stay for the week and go home on the weekends.
Anyway, after all of this discussion, it's time to visit with the children. We decide to give the chocolate and biscuits first. There's a scramble for them all to get back to their classrooms and be seated before I get there. They're always very happy to eat chocolate and this time, I've also brought some lollies from Australia, they love the flavour of them.
We eventually have all the items arranged and it's time to ask the children to come forward class by class. We start with grade 1. They are so cute, not really sure what to do so the teacher has to lead the first child and ask the others to follow.
They all receive the education pack, rulers, hankies and small toys. They love the toys the most. As we get to the older children, I have wallets for them. They love them and when I'm giving the girls the hairbands, the boys are requesting one for themselves as well. Apparently they're going to wear them as wrist bands.
I have ribbons for the girls hair and the older girls particularly arevery choosy about what colours they like. They're all very respectful and take only two being aware that there are others who haven't yet selected their ribbon. It's refreshing to see how well mannered they are.
The small girls get dolls, they love them. All of the children go home with something other than learning materials.
After all the distribution is finished, it's time to again sit and chat with the staff over a cool drink. It's important for us now to get letters of confirmation of the donations so that I can have confirmation for the next shipment for Sri Lankan Customs and the Inland Revenue Department. The Principal quickly agrees and writes the letter for us listing all of the children in each grade and what we'd donated.
After about three hours, we bid them farewell and tell that we'll see them again in 2012. They all stand outside waving as we make our way out of the school ground and onto the road back to Arugum Bay for our last night in this area.
It's been a tough day for me, I woke this morning with severe back pain from our bumpy journey to Kumana the previous day. I couldn't sit for long enough even to eat breakfast. I'd taken a number of emergency painkillers that I knew would get me through the day. I couldn't not perform my duties this morning for these children. My pain was so bad, once back in Arugum Bay, I needed to get a massage. Fortunately I'd seen a place the previous day so we went there. I couldn't even lift myself up onto the bed, the pain was so bad. They advised me to go to the hospital for a pain injection, of course I couldn't do that. I knew that a massage would be most helpful and then I could manage the rest.
The folowing morning, we're to head to Wellayawa to the Wandinaheliyaya school as promised. I wasn't sure how I would manage that trip, it would take 4 - 5hours and sitting is so bad.
The next morning I awoke, to back pain but also a little case of gastro. I couldn't eat or drink, I kept running to the toilet. How could I manage this trip now. Anyway, we had to go.
I explained to Raja and asked that if I needed to stop, please listen and stop immediately as it would be urgent.
I managed to drink black ginger tea, my tummy settled and we started the travel. I was really nervous about it all. We did made two stops for more toilet and then ginger tea. I made it safely but felt quite ill by then. I hadn't eaten anything for more then 24 hours and I felt very weak. I knew I needed to keep drinking so at least I was able to keep water with sugar down. How could I tell Raja just how sick I felt. He would worry so much.
The follwing morning, we were to go to Wandinaheliyaya school, Raja knew that I wasn't well so headed off to the Auyvedic medicine shop and came back with a liquid that he assured me would settle my stomach. I drank that but still couldn't eat.
We managed to go to the school, I got through the morning.
The Principal and teachers were waiting for us and all clapped as we drove into the school ground. It was nice to see their smiling faces again and the two teachers were the ones who were there last year so I greeted them fondly.
Very quickly seats were arranged in one of the classrooms for the children and tables were arranged with cloths for the gifts to be placed on then the children were all asked to come and sit. There are 31 of them and I quickly learned that one child in grade 5 had been offered a scholarship. This is the first child from this school ever to be awarded a scholarship and it's a big honour for the child, his family and the school.
At the front of the school, there is a sign with the childs photo on it for all to see.
Whilst I prepare the items to be given, Raja and his friend Kumara are handing out the lollies and biscuits to each child.
I'm ready and the process of distributing the gifts to the children begins and before long it's over and each child is chattering and looking at all of the items, conparing with the person sitting next to him or her,
On our next trip to Wandinaheliyaya, we'll buy school shoes for all of the children. On this journey, I have bought slippers (thongs) for each of the children and also given them a pair of school socks along with the usual education pack and some small toys. I've also brought cricket bats and balls along with a number of other items for the playground.
The Principal thanks me for what I do and tells the children that it's important to come along to school each day as this lady from Australia wants them to get a full education so that they can go to University and get a good job for their future.
Again we sit with the Principal and teachers for a cup of tea, my tummies till no good so I opt for black tea with sugar. I feel bad about refusing to eat the food that's been prepared but I date not take the risk.
Whilst having tea, one of the parents comes with two bags full of fruit. Mangoes, Papaya and Woodapple. I didn't realise that they were gifts from the parents for me and Raja. I'm really touched by their kindness, I never expected this and I can tell you, it's a very generous thing for them to do. They are all subsistence farmers and it's the dry period now and there's no rain for planting. They are in the famon period until the rains come at the end of October.
Before long, it's all over and we head to Raja's friend Kumara for lunch. We often visit them and the food they prepare is always very local and good. This time unfortunately, I can't eat any of it. I'm still feeling ill, even after Raja's miracle medicine. It's working but not for too long.
We decide to make the drive to Ratnapura where we'll visit with Rev. Henepola Sumanajothi to clarify arrangements for the upcoming festival on the weekend of 1st October. We take the smooth road (apparently), my back is paining and I'm not well. It will take a little longer but better for my health. I lay down on the van seat and doze until I need to stop for toilet and tea. It's a long journey to Ratnapura, 4 hours but we need to do this.
We arrive at about 5pm and meet with Sumanajothi, confirm preparations for Saturday, have a cup of tea and then at about 6pm proceed to Colombo. This next part of the journey will take about 2 hours.
Because of the time, we arrive at Raja's home at about 8pm, that's in good time.
I'm really sick by now, can't tell anyone. Just want to unload the van, wash have a drink and go to bed. I need to have a good rest for the following day, I need to work to sort out the things for the children at the Festival in Ratnapura on Saturday 1st October.
Sunday, 2 October 2011
After Matara
We left Matara to head to the Methmal Orphanage at Hambantota the following morning and Rev. Ratanasiri decided to come with us so that he could show me the work he had done in repairing the orphanage and what his plans were for the future for the children and the building.
It was a beautiful drive to Hambantota, we followed the coastline of the Indian Ocean through Tangalle and then again as we approached Hambantota. The waves lapped at the shoreline and just a few fisherman with their boats could be seen on the beach. It was very quiet. I'm wondering where all the reported tourist are, but alas, that's another story for another day.
After driving for about 3 hours, stopping on the way to buy grapes for the children we arrived in Hambantota. We had decided to visit the new Principal at the Galwewa school to indroduce ourselves to him. He had heard about this Australian lady and was calling Raja all the time to make sure that we would stop and see him.
It was a good but short meeting with him. I asked if he would tell all the children to attend school the following day as we would again visit and bring gifts for them. Bribing works well.
We then proceeded to the orphanage where all 14 of the boys were waiting for us. It was very nice to see them again and they were very excited to see us also although this time, they didn't recognise us immediately as we were in a van and not in Raja's car which is familiar to them.
After greetings with the children, Manager and the two female staff, we started to unload the van. This is always the exciting time and we have many helpers.
I decided this time to give the children a colouring page of Pirates of the Carribean to colour while Raja and I set up all of the things to give out, Believe it, this part can take about an hour and to have 14 excitable boys anxiously awaiting gifts is difficult, so I decided to give them something to do to keep them occupied.
Very soon, things were ready and the distribution started.
First the serious stuff, education items. They loved them but knew that there were toys. So I didn't keep them waiting too long. Each boy received a pack of cars, then some kind of dinasour collectables and other items. The older boys got wallets. It all went really well and for such a small group, the noise was at fever pitch.
Now came the time to hand out the underpants and toiletry bags. I felt it was better for Raja to give these items to the older boys, he could check for sizes. I would manage the smaller children.
It was such a great afternoon, there was lots of laughter and cars zipping across the floor at all speeds, and cries of "Madam Julie, look". Of course it was to show me how well they were managing to race the cars with each other.
While we were doing out work, Rev Ratanasiri went to the shop to get us some lunch. You can't imagine how hungry one gets from unloading, sorting and handing out gifts and then paying attention to everyone for a few moments.
After we lunched, we walked the grounds of the orphanage to see the changes and to hear the news of the improvements to come.
Rev. Ratanasiri is hoping to build a training facility on this site which would incorporate computer training, English lessons and industry training. This would be a replica of the orphanage and training facility he has at Matara. It all sounds wonderful and I think his vision is wonderful for the children and he is positive it will happen within the next 1-2 years. This man had a great heart for the betterment of these orphaned children. It was a pleasure to meet him.
It was now around 4pm in the afternoon and we needed to leave to go and find a place to stay for our time here. We bid the Manager and children farewell and tell them we will return again the following day after visiting Galwewa school just along the same road.
We went to Tissamaharama and found a reasonably good hotel to stay for a couple of days. The system in Sri Lanka is the driver/guide will stay and eat free but my problem was, I had two people, Raja and Gihan. This place was good, they decided to give free accomodation and I would just pay a small amount for their meals. Raja is great, he tells everyone about our work and that in itself makes people feel kindly toward us. I was happy with their offer and of course will use that same hotel again next visit.
The next morning, we proceeded to Galwewa School where the children were waiting anxiously for us. They had prepared a small welcoming ceremony which was very nice.
After that, we had a meeting with the Principal and then proceeded to arrange to give out gifts to the children. They were all eating the chololate and biscuits we'd bought for them whilst patiently waiting for us to start and then grade by grade, we called them to come up and receive their gifts.
As usual, they were happy with the education packs but the biggest hits were the gifts. Dolls for the girls and cars/trucks for the boys.
By the time we'd finished, they all had a bundle of things to take home. There were smiles all around and by now a few parents had come and they were very pleased with the educaiton packs as you would imagine.
Once the process had finished, the children wanted to do a small concert for me. They are so serious when performing traditional Sri Lankan dance and folksong. It's delightful to watch as they go through their routine. I suppose, they don't get to perform in front of a foreigner very often.
Immediately the official part of the day was over, the boys grabbed the cricket bats and balls and were off into the playground for a game of cricket. They beckoned me to take the bat, but alas..... I'm not much good at batting so let them have all the fun.
Unbelievably, the time has flown and it's 1.30pm and it's hometime for the children and we need to move onto the Orphanage so we bid them all farewell for this year and promise to see them all again next year. Except of course for those children in grade 5, they will be moving on to a higher level school for gade 6 and beyond.
Along the road at the orphanage, the boys are waiting for us. They've arrived home from school, washed and changed and are just waiting. They see us coming and run out into the drive area, waving and shouting...
At the same time, a tuk tuk (small passenger vehicle) arrives with a family of 5 adults and a baby. It's the babies 1st Birthday and the family are doing Alms Giving (providing a gift) of lunch for the orphan children as a celebration of the childs 1st birthday.
They have cooked a feast of curries and rice which is quickly served to the children. The plates are piled high with 3- 4 assorted vegetable curries, chicken curry and eggs as well. The children struggle through most of it but as usual, kids eyes are too big for their bellies and they also know to leave room for desert. Today its ice cream and lots of it.
It's a lovely occasion and I'm happy to have met this family and to have shared in their special day. I chatted with most of the family members and then afterwards they asked us to join with the staff to have lunch. We declined at first and then after sometime and lots of chat with Raja, we accpted their offer. It was such a nice gesture and how could we not accept, it was their happiness at their babies 1st Birthday.
After all of this is finsihed, the family leave and the boys have cleaned up the lunch things. We eat and then it's time for me to spend some extra time with the boys. They all want me to look at their Pirates of the Carribean colouring pages that they'd been doing. A few of them wanted me to take them and bring them home to Australia, I felt bad, but how could I refuse them. I asked the other's to display them on the wall above where they sleep, that's a better option.
They boys chatted with me and showed me their sleeping places... they raced their cars along the floor and bounced balls against the walls.
Before too long, it was time for us to leave. A very sad moment for me. I bid them farewell explaining that I would be back again next year. One young man with a little English, said: "Yes, I know Madam. I felt very happy to know that the boys were confident that I would be returning to see them. One young man, Akila, watched and waved until we turned onto the main road and was out of sight. I have his drawing with me with his name on the back. A great memento.
Tomorrow I'll continue with our journey to Panama and then to Wandinheliyaya.
It was a beautiful drive to Hambantota, we followed the coastline of the Indian Ocean through Tangalle and then again as we approached Hambantota. The waves lapped at the shoreline and just a few fisherman with their boats could be seen on the beach. It was very quiet. I'm wondering where all the reported tourist are, but alas, that's another story for another day.
After driving for about 3 hours, stopping on the way to buy grapes for the children we arrived in Hambantota. We had decided to visit the new Principal at the Galwewa school to indroduce ourselves to him. He had heard about this Australian lady and was calling Raja all the time to make sure that we would stop and see him.
It was a good but short meeting with him. I asked if he would tell all the children to attend school the following day as we would again visit and bring gifts for them. Bribing works well.
We then proceeded to the orphanage where all 14 of the boys were waiting for us. It was very nice to see them again and they were very excited to see us also although this time, they didn't recognise us immediately as we were in a van and not in Raja's car which is familiar to them.
After greetings with the children, Manager and the two female staff, we started to unload the van. This is always the exciting time and we have many helpers.
I decided this time to give the children a colouring page of Pirates of the Carribean to colour while Raja and I set up all of the things to give out, Believe it, this part can take about an hour and to have 14 excitable boys anxiously awaiting gifts is difficult, so I decided to give them something to do to keep them occupied.
Very soon, things were ready and the distribution started.
First the serious stuff, education items. They loved them but knew that there were toys. So I didn't keep them waiting too long. Each boy received a pack of cars, then some kind of dinasour collectables and other items. The older boys got wallets. It all went really well and for such a small group, the noise was at fever pitch.
Now came the time to hand out the underpants and toiletry bags. I felt it was better for Raja to give these items to the older boys, he could check for sizes. I would manage the smaller children.
It was such a great afternoon, there was lots of laughter and cars zipping across the floor at all speeds, and cries of "Madam Julie, look". Of course it was to show me how well they were managing to race the cars with each other.
While we were doing out work, Rev Ratanasiri went to the shop to get us some lunch. You can't imagine how hungry one gets from unloading, sorting and handing out gifts and then paying attention to everyone for a few moments.
After we lunched, we walked the grounds of the orphanage to see the changes and to hear the news of the improvements to come.
Rev. Ratanasiri is hoping to build a training facility on this site which would incorporate computer training, English lessons and industry training. This would be a replica of the orphanage and training facility he has at Matara. It all sounds wonderful and I think his vision is wonderful for the children and he is positive it will happen within the next 1-2 years. This man had a great heart for the betterment of these orphaned children. It was a pleasure to meet him.
It was now around 4pm in the afternoon and we needed to leave to go and find a place to stay for our time here. We bid the Manager and children farewell and tell them we will return again the following day after visiting Galwewa school just along the same road.
We went to Tissamaharama and found a reasonably good hotel to stay for a couple of days. The system in Sri Lanka is the driver/guide will stay and eat free but my problem was, I had two people, Raja and Gihan. This place was good, they decided to give free accomodation and I would just pay a small amount for their meals. Raja is great, he tells everyone about our work and that in itself makes people feel kindly toward us. I was happy with their offer and of course will use that same hotel again next visit.
The next morning, we proceeded to Galwewa School where the children were waiting anxiously for us. They had prepared a small welcoming ceremony which was very nice.
After that, we had a meeting with the Principal and then proceeded to arrange to give out gifts to the children. They were all eating the chololate and biscuits we'd bought for them whilst patiently waiting for us to start and then grade by grade, we called them to come up and receive their gifts.
As usual, they were happy with the education packs but the biggest hits were the gifts. Dolls for the girls and cars/trucks for the boys.
By the time we'd finished, they all had a bundle of things to take home. There were smiles all around and by now a few parents had come and they were very pleased with the educaiton packs as you would imagine.
Once the process had finished, the children wanted to do a small concert for me. They are so serious when performing traditional Sri Lankan dance and folksong. It's delightful to watch as they go through their routine. I suppose, they don't get to perform in front of a foreigner very often.
Immediately the official part of the day was over, the boys grabbed the cricket bats and balls and were off into the playground for a game of cricket. They beckoned me to take the bat, but alas..... I'm not much good at batting so let them have all the fun.
Unbelievably, the time has flown and it's 1.30pm and it's hometime for the children and we need to move onto the Orphanage so we bid them all farewell for this year and promise to see them all again next year. Except of course for those children in grade 5, they will be moving on to a higher level school for gade 6 and beyond.
Along the road at the orphanage, the boys are waiting for us. They've arrived home from school, washed and changed and are just waiting. They see us coming and run out into the drive area, waving and shouting...
At the same time, a tuk tuk (small passenger vehicle) arrives with a family of 5 adults and a baby. It's the babies 1st Birthday and the family are doing Alms Giving (providing a gift) of lunch for the orphan children as a celebration of the childs 1st birthday.
They have cooked a feast of curries and rice which is quickly served to the children. The plates are piled high with 3- 4 assorted vegetable curries, chicken curry and eggs as well. The children struggle through most of it but as usual, kids eyes are too big for their bellies and they also know to leave room for desert. Today its ice cream and lots of it.
It's a lovely occasion and I'm happy to have met this family and to have shared in their special day. I chatted with most of the family members and then afterwards they asked us to join with the staff to have lunch. We declined at first and then after sometime and lots of chat with Raja, we accpted their offer. It was such a nice gesture and how could we not accept, it was their happiness at their babies 1st Birthday.
After all of this is finsihed, the family leave and the boys have cleaned up the lunch things. We eat and then it's time for me to spend some extra time with the boys. They all want me to look at their Pirates of the Carribean colouring pages that they'd been doing. A few of them wanted me to take them and bring them home to Australia, I felt bad, but how could I refuse them. I asked the other's to display them on the wall above where they sleep, that's a better option.
They boys chatted with me and showed me their sleeping places... they raced their cars along the floor and bounced balls against the walls.
Before too long, it was time for us to leave. A very sad moment for me. I bid them farewell explaining that I would be back again next year. One young man with a little English, said: "Yes, I know Madam. I felt very happy to know that the boys were confident that I would be returning to see them. One young man, Akila, watched and waved until we turned onto the main road and was out of sight. I have his drawing with me with his name on the back. A great memento.
Tomorrow I'll continue with our journey to Panama and then to Wandinheliyaya.
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