Day 10 - Wed 29 Sep

Yesterday was a big disappointment to us.  Despite having paid to have the roof repaired, it was still leaking in 6 separate places which meant that classes were interrupted as soon as the rain came through. And lights couldn’t be switched on due to the danger of electrocution meaning it was too dark to continue lessons.  So a priority for us now is to act and get the roof either repaired properly and to a standard that will withstand the harsh weather conditions we’ve been experiencing or to get it completely replaced – likely to be an expensive job and one we haven’t budgeted for.

It hadn’t been all bad.  Earlier yesterday we had met the new parish priest as we believe it’s important to get the support of community leaders no matter what denomination they are.  One idea which we might be able to develop further is using the church hall adjacent to the school for evening classes but we need to develop a plan to make this a reality.

Whilst meeting the priest we were handed the annual report prepared by the group which runs the medical clinic which made fascinating reading.  We provide them with 90% of the costs to run the clinic: in 2009, the clinic had over 2,600 registered patients, treated just over 2,000 people during the 12 month period and was seeing an average of 50 patients on each Friday it was open.  As mentioned earlier, the clinic tends to be overshadowed by some of the other work we do but in terms of reach into the community, it’s pretty amazing.

We had also visited the music shop where we got a quote to provide the school with extra instruments seeing as the band has proven to be very popular with the school children.  Hopefully there will be 8 extra places in the band by the end of the week.

On Wednesday morning, we had a similarly productive and interesting day too.  We wanted to explore what opportunities there might be for older pupils and adults who are less academically inclined to pursue courses in things like engineering and automotive repairs.  So after a quick Google search we headed off just 10 minutes down the road to the Ceylon German Technical Training Institute.  The set-up of this organisation was impressive and was on a huge scale; each year they take in 350 new full time students for 3 yr courses having whittled down the 5,000 original applicants.  Perhaps more usefully, they also offer part-time and evening courses for students with fewer academic qualifications.  This a longer term proposition but we will try and arrange for the Village School to send some students aged 14 and up to see the training facility as it might inspire them to be engineers in the future.

Next up was something we’d only learnt about this morning.  Ratmalana is also home to the Ceylon School for the Deaf & Blind and we’d been told that they were always looking for additional support.  It was set up in 1912 but now spreads across 3 campuses: 2 in Ratmalana – one for deaf students and one for the blindand another up in Jaffna.  It is an impressive set up and looks after over 500 pupils by providing education, vocational training, food and lodging. We met the Principal of the Deaf school and the manager of all three sites and explored areas where we might be able to help. These could include providing educational materials, clothing, art supplies and even developing sporting links between this school and our own Village School.  More work to follow up on but one which offers exciting new opportunities.

Day 9 - Tue 28 Sep

Rainwater between the two school buildings

Today, we taught at the school. It rained. A lot.



Inside the school at 12 midday



The old school desks & chairs

An old and new light - hopefully replacing all will be a bright idea

Day 8 - Mon 27 Sep

It’s amazing how easy it is to lose track of time, especially when you’re away from home. With a usual holiday of lying by the pool or on the beach you get the sudden realisation that you’ve already been away for a week and there’s so little time left to maybe get started on your 2nd book or pop to the local shops to buy some kind of souvenir or gift; maybe it’s the postcards that you need to send and hope that they’ll arrive before you return!



For us it’s the awareness that there are still so many things to do in a short amount of time. Getting things done in the UK is a relatively easy task and questions can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no”. The Sri Lankan way is totally different and conversations can take 4 times as long as the culture just seems to demand it. We accept this and just wish we had 8 weeks instead of 2!!

 So Monday was focused on chipping away at the long list of things to do. First stop was a trip back to the Nursery School where we wanted to handover some new learning toys. These included modelling clay and a height chart so we could track progress of the children between now and the next visit in February 2011. The giant inflatable hands proved an instant hit though and are designed to improve balance and coordination – even if some of the 4 yr olds thought bashing each other over the head with them was much more fun.


Next, a return visit to the Village School where we wanted to finalise arrangements for the decoration of the school. By the end of the session we have a shopping list for over 40 litres of paint which we hope will brighten the school and make it a better place to learn.


Interestingly, we learnt that despite the old filament electric bulbs which give off such a poor light, the electricity bill for the school was 900 Rupees a month of which only 500 is met by the government. So before we go, we intend to install new energy saving bulbs throughout the school to save money and provide much more light.


We also agreed that we would continue to provide uniforms and shoes for all children, but would wait until the beginning of the next school year in 2011.

Many will wonder why we focus the attention and time on the school. What these kids lack is an environment where they can enjoy an education. Tomorrow, we’ll be spending time teaching and hoping to learn ourselves what assistance we may be able to offer to ensure a better atmosphere for all at the school.

Day 6 - Sat 26 Sep

The weekend has seen us visiting the ruins of ancient civilisations, exploring caves and a sunset ride on an elephant. Oh, and there was another cake, the fourth, which I’m promised was the last!   

But on Saturday we stopped by a local hospital in the area we were touring where we had arranged to deliver a large amount of baby clothes which had kindly been donated by two of Della’s colleagues.  The hospital, although fairly modern, was very basic and very full.  Dogs running around the maternity ward didn’t feel quite right.  But we met up with Dr Somaratigne the hospital’s Director and Dr Chandradasa the chief paediatrician who had trained in the UK.  They explained that the hospital served a very large rural community who were heavily reliant on selling produce from the land.  If their crops failed, they instantly experienced real hardship and with that hardship came health problems.   

The timing of our visit was really useful as the hospital is marking World Children’s Day on 1 October and they would be able to distribute the clothes to some of the most needy families.   So what may have seemed like a bag of unwanted clothes will definitely go directly to some of those who will benefit the most.

Day 5 - Fri 24 Sep

On Friday morning we returned to the Medical Clinic in Ratmalana which we support.  As well as paying for a doctor and drugs, FODAD also assists 18 families who need additional support, be it for medical treatment, funding to support education or just genuine hardship.

With the clinic’s support team, we went over each of the cases and met with the children and their parents to review progress since our last visit.  All were doing very well with the additional support and had made good progress. 

There is one boy who we have supported for over 3 years by providing growth hormone drugs; he has now ended that course of treatment and our support now extends to his studies.  He has taken A levels in three science subjects and hopes to be able to go onto university. 

Another child whose father died has made great improvements at school and wants to become a doctor; we’re paying for extra tuition to help with his exams…

Another boy who we have supported for 4 years is now 18 but suffers from mental health problems. We fund drugs to control his condition and support his family with his care…

The clinic continues to go from strength to strength; this morning it was as full as we had ever seen it with many people from the surrounding area arriving to take advantage of the professional healthcare team.  Chrys, the clinic’s administrator, told us that a few weeks ago, they had offered an open clinic for people to come with any health concerns or for check-ups and they had over 650 people through their doors.

Assisting the clinic with medical supplies and providing that extra support to families is our second biggest project in terms of expense yet is probably one of the lesser known ones which we support.  When we get back we will update the website with more details of those individuals we help; each has a moving story to tell.  But it was clear by the end of the morning that FODAD is definitely helping many more people in the local community who otherwise would not be able to afford drugs and treatment or additional assistance to help them get on with their lives.

After the clinic we headed up country for a break from the humid, stifling air for a couple of days to explore this amazing country.

Day 4 - Thu 23 Sep

By Dan, on his first reflections of Sri Lanka... 

What an interesting few days this has been for me. My first time in Sri Lanka with Friends of Della and Don and I’ve already experienced so many different emotions. Yesterday was one of the most amazing days, the joy that the girls from the orphanage get from the day trip is indescribable. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many smiles and laughter for a simple trip to the beach. If you could experience this just once you would know that the work of your donations is appreciated so much.

Now, this is just one example of how the charity helps the community but today was all about making things happen. Each evening over dinner all five of us review that days events and sort out a list of objectives to work through the following day. This list can cover a wide range of tasks, from ensuring the children in the Nursery school are being fed, to sitting down with the Principal in the local school to discuss any issues that have arisen.

So after an early breakfast, 7:30am (ish) we head off to the Nursery School to speak with the teachers about uniforms and shoes. Now, the trip down to the Nursery School itself gives you a sense of how poor this area is. Walking alongside the railway tracks you get to see the community, a mixture of shacks, huts and breeze block structures with corrugated metal roofs. The only thought that comes to you is “wow”, and not in a good way.  After our meeting with the teachers and the head Buddhist monk we made our way across to the Village School.

I know that you are all aware of the great work that FODAD has done for the school but when you see it for the first time you genuinely think this building is used as a shed. It’s so dark inside. And where there should be windows you get bits of wood to protect the children from the elements. As we arrived there was a guard of honour with the school band marching to greet us. Seeing the band in action was particularly poignant as the instruments were dedicated in memory of my father Declan who passed away two years ago. After such a great welcome we were brought into the school where each grade put on an act. With more singing and Bollywood dancing it was then time for Gav to receive a birthday cake (number 3 for those who haven’t been counting!). It’s quite touching to see how much effort they put into this. The vice principal made a passionate speech to the students about how grateful the school is for all the help that FODAD gives to ensure that the children are fed, are given uniforms and receive assistance in cases of specific hardship. We spent most of the afternoon talking with the school children and some parents before heading off in search of a DIY store unlike any you might find at home in order to buy some paint as we intend to do some work on the school interior next week. 

It’s been a busy few days so far but it’s fantastic to be on the ground and see how much good work FODAD carries out. Until next time….Dan

Day 3 - Wed 22 Sep

Birthdays should be special wherever you are. But to be away in a place like Sri Lanka makes a birthday even more special for anyone.  So waking up to a glorious morning in fine surroundings was a nice way to start the day; to then find balloons adorning the table, a personalised birthday cake, and singing waiters was even better.  But on Wednesday, it really dawned on me just how true it is that it’s the simplest things which are the most touching.  When you get on a bus full of orphaned girls who burst into their rendition of Happy Birthday as you board the coach, it kind of leaves a lump in your throat.  And especially as I was made to feel like guest of honour on what was, after all, their special day – only the second time outside of the orphanage walls since we last took them out in February.

The girls’ obvious enjoyment and excitement more than makes up for the 4 hour journey on a clapped out, hot and uncomfortable bus as they sang along to their favourite songs – the “Bollywood bus”, if you like!

After lunch on the beach, the girls headed down to the sea and spent a carefree couple of hours just splashing around as the waves crashed about them.  Unfortunately, as the picture shows below, Della and two of the girls were somewhat taken by surprise as a huge wave crashed over their heads – much to the amusement of all the girls.  It was great to see them all so happy again.  Next up was a surprise birthday party for me where I was presented with a birthday cake, huge card and gifts.  There was dancing – the girls were very good, their guests less so! – singing and games.  The amount of effort that the girls had obviously gone to was overwhelming but I can’t think of a more rewarding way to spend a birthday.

 

We’ll be visiting the orphanage again next week to hear the girls play in their band and see how far they’ve come in the last 6 months.  FODAD pays for a music teacher and other vocational studies as well as their only trips out of the orphanage – all thanks to your donations.

Day 2 – Tues 21 Sep

Dangerous exposure

Following a solid night’s sleep, we headed off early in the morning to the Nursery school, just a short walk away from the hotel.  It was great to see all the kids again – the school hosts children  aged from 3 to 5.  We provide food every day  for these children and new shoes so as well playing with them, we were interested to find out if the situation concerning the dangerous exposed wiring had been resolved which we had noticed on our last visit back in February.   

Unsurprisingly it hadn’t and bare mains cables were still exposed and within reach of the children due to wrangling by the building’s owners and the electricity board.  Dan, Don’s nephew and newly appointed trustee,  and on his first trip suggested building a wooden box around the electrical board to lessen the risk of danger  and following agreement, we’re hoping this should be in place and installed this weekend.  

Kids at the Nursery School

 

Next up was to catch up with the kids and teachers at the Village school which is the largest project which we support.  Even after just a couple of hours chatting with them all, we had quickly identified some new ideas to take forward to improve the effectiveness of the school as well as reviewing for ourselves some of initiatives which have been implemented since our  last trip in February.  The new roof is finished and means that classes can go on unhindered by rain water; the partitions are supremely effective in breaking up the large hall and allow more focused classes to take place without distraction.  Some of the things we will look at doing this trip include:

The Village School

• Funding the first-ever overnight field trip for the older members of the school to the tea-plantation area so that they can learn more about the diverse history and geography of their own country (it seems very difficult to imagine children never having traveled outside of their own village

• Ways to brighten up the school and improve the atmosphere in a poorly maintained building which is about 90 years old

• Investigate opportunities such as technical training for  those less academically inclined;

• Look into what would be needed to support those who are academically gifted onto the next stages of education;

The playground is starting to look scruffy - a job for next year?

We had been accompanied throughout by our minders Udaya and Colin – the former being the head fisherman who sorts out so much for us both when we’re in Sri Lanka but also even when we’re not and Colin, the fisherman who saved Della’s life.  During our discussions, it became apparent that there were two areas where we might be able to assist; one would be to help them get the right nets for the forthcoming Seine net fishing season; the other being to fund one person from the village to undertake a Seamanship course at a local college.  This appeals hugely as it would mean for a minimum outlay, someone from the village could graduate after a couple of months training and be qualified to work on the merchant ships which pass along the coast every day.  While it might take them away from their families for periods of times, a starting salary of over $250 per month is a significant amount in this country and offers the potential to earn much more pretty soon after.  We have agreed to fund one student initially and would expect that person to repay the cost of the course over time thereby enabling us to fund others who want to take the course to do so – and it fits in nicely with trying to make the villagers self-supporting.

Dan gets to see the musical instruments donated in memory of his late father declan

It was a busy first day and another early dinner, but we were soon  left in no doubt that we’re still in the middle of monsoon season with the arrival of an almighty storm.  As we watched the lightning out at sea, the rain suddenly started hammering down for several hours and the entire city of Colombo in the distance was plunged into darkness as one strike hit the entire city’s power supply.