Day 9 - Mon 15th Feb

Today was a remarkable day. Over 130 pupils from the local Village School had a wonderful time at the Sports and Fun Day. But today was also one where we all reflected just how much all of the stuff we’re doing is only possible by the efforts of so many. Here, Colin and Udaya were at the school at 6am hiding the bikes for the big reveal ; the staff and pupils made so much effort to set things up to run smoothly; Shahan and his family took time off work; and a couple of holidaymakers gave up their day to help out and hand out over 130 pairs of shoes. In the UK, individual donors, groups of people in various workplaces, and family members had all given their time or money to help the poor, underprivileged and needy. We sincerely thank everyone for making days like today, which will live in people’s memories for a long time, possible.


At 0830, we were met at the school gates by the School’s new band. The school had only received the instruments last September following our last visit and as a gift from the family for Don’s 60th birthday. Lumps in throat time as they played for us with so much pride….

Next was the fulfilment of another idea from the last trip – the presentation of a memorial prize for best attendance and performance over the last 12 months. We were honoured to have Sarath’s widow, son and daughter attend and handover the certificates and bikes. The excitement in the crowd when the first bike was wheeled in behind them was a magical one; when the 5 winners saw them it was pretty emotional.

By now, it was 10am and the heat was beginning to beat down onto the school’s dusty playground. But the battle between the 6 teams was about to start contested by the Lanka Lions, Raging Bulls, Black Rhinos, Kings of the Ring, Queen Bees and Scooby-Doos. Six events would decide the victors:


The Sack Race

The 3 Legged Race

Passing Water

Lime and Spoon Race

Mega Balloon

Balloon Dancing

 Despite all the organisation, each event took 4 times as long to complete as we made up the rules on the fly and had to improvise with some of the limited items available to us. But the kids remained happy, cheering their teams, and the smiles and laughter were infectious.


Eventually, Steve’s “Lanka Lions” were crowned victors with a tight 3-way tussle for the top with only 2 points separating them from Don’s “Kings of the Ring” and Colin’s “Black Rhinos”.

We were probably wilting by now but there was more to do: just the small matter of handing out over 130 new pairs of shoes and socks to all the children. Luckily, our new recruits Beryl and Bernard came good and stepped in to help and were visibly moved as the children expressed their thanks by touching the ground before them in customary style. And then finally we hand out other new cricket set to the school. With that, the pupils began to disperse after a long hot day – and it was interesting to see how many cramped toes change immediately into the new shoes.


By 2pm, the enormity of the effort required to organise such events hit us as we guzzled some cold Cokes. There are almost too many people to thank – but if you have helped in any way, large or small, thank you, and rest assured it has been a wonderful, worthwhile day for the kids of St Mary’s Village School.

Oh, and when we got back to the hotel, another box from the UK had arrived packed full of socks and collected as part of the “Sock it to them” campaign. See, everyone’s amazing!!