My personal highlight...

I've been back from Sri Lanka for less than a week but have had time to reflect on our brief trip.   Even in the short period of time we were there, we crammed a lot in and there were many highlights which underlined the difference that FODAD is making to so many lives.  Taking the orphaned girls out for a day seems insignificant but it reminded me that we shouldn't underestimate what it means to them; looking round the school and seeing kids working on laptops or playing in the band is inspiring; and understanding the reach of the medical clinic and the number of beneficiaries continues to amaze.

But there was one particular highlight for me which is at the route of one our key aims - giving people access to learn English to improve their prospects.

At the end of 2013 we identified someone who was willing to come into the school and teach English to the kids. He started in January so I was keen to meet him and see him in action.  So on our last day, this young man turned up at the school after lessons had ended. I was amazed at the number of kids that had stayed behind especially for his 2 hour lesson and the rapport he had with them.  No one was forcing them to stay behind but there were almost 40 in his class, all hanging on his every word.

After-school lessons

The next day he turned up at the village on Saturday morning and did another 2 hour stint for around 30 children from the village in a small, cramped, hut.  So keen were the kids to attend that apparently, two brought chairs from their home at 07:30 in order to guarantee a space for the lesson which started 2 hours later. 

Teaching in the Village

This really marks the fulfilment of a dream and offers a step change in the opportunities we can provide the youngsters in the village. A tutor full of enthusiasm and enthralled children was an amazing experience to witness.  I don't think it's exagerating to suggest that this one guy could have such an impact of the the kids' lives and that he offers so many the best hope they have for the future. It costs us quite a lot, but given the number of people whose lives could be affected, he offers remarkable value as well as hope.

To me FODAD has been about making a difference and I've always said if one life is changed, then it's job done. But along with the other improvements at the school, the take up of medical facilities at the clinic and the joy and happiness of the orphans, the English tutor, and FODAD is making a massive difference to so many. 

Gav

Week 4 in Sri Lanka

The week did not start well!  We had expected Steve and Gav to arrive on Sunday at about 4pm ready to start work on Monday morning but due to a delayed flight out of Birmingham, they missed their connection in Dubai and we did not see them until late Monday afternoon having spent 24 hours in transit.  Really disappointing!

On Tuesday morning, Steve and Gav visited the school and gave them 2 laptops which had been kindly donated by Cleeve School in Cheltenham and joy of joy – a trumpet!    We finalised our preparations for “Fun Day" which is fiercely competitive and made arrangements for the visit to the beach from the children’s home the next day.

The Principal is presented with new laptops and a trumpet

Asika the Bandmaster gets to grips with the trumpet

Wednesday morning was Fun Day.  Della and Don’s team were “The Sharks” Steve’s the” Lanka Lions” and Gav’s "Scooby Doo".   Della made a mess of unfurling the Union Flag but after that hitch, the games were underway. The Sharks were well into the lead in no time.  They won the “lime and spoon-race” easily and did well enough in the sack –race, bottle filling, musical chairs and balloon dancing to win medals for the first time ever!   We think they were given the strongest team out of pity.  Gav’s support for his team reached new levels of devotion especially in the heat of Sri Lanka.

A slight technical hitch!

Special guest appearance from Scooby Doo

The victorious Sharks

Della and Don with winners' medals

Our friends Beryl and Bernard had turned up at the school earlier with a brand new sewing machine. The Home Science teacher was thrilled and we look forward to the kids being able to sew their own uniforms in no time at all!

Presenting a new sewing machine

Late that afternoon we entertained 22 children from a children’s home inland.  Some of them had never seen the sea.    Each of the children has a seriously tragic story and to be able to have such fun with them was magical.  They also enjoyed soft drinks and sea-food fried rice at a local beach restaurant.

Enjoying the sea for the first time

Last shot before enjoying a meal

Thursday was the long-awaited day out with the girls from the orphanage.  The bus turned up sharp at 9am and the girls had decorated it beautifully.  They sang all the way to Bentota where we played a few games before having lunch and then going down to the sea.  They were really impatient to get down there and when I told them they would have to “learn to be patient” they said that they had waited patiently for a year.  Well, you cannot argue with that!  They had such fun.  Sadly it was time to leave all too quickly.  They presented us with beautiful mugs they had decorated for us and then sang all the way home.  Such lovely girls!  We were so sad to say goodbye and this year more than ever, we realised just how much this day out means to the girls.

The Orphanage girls perform before hitting the beach

On Friday morning, Steve, Della and Don went to the clinic which we support.  We were thrilled that we could assure them that we would be able to fund them through the coming year.  They do an amazing job.   We pay for the drugs and the administration but the doctors give their time totally free.  Through the same group we sponsor 18 children’s education they are all doing well.

From there we went straight to the school.  Eight of the children had been entered for an environmental workshop.  Two of the children had come first and second in our district and are going forward for awards from the President of Sri Lanka.  We had provided the caps and uniforms that they will need for the occasion and were very proud to present them.

Presenting caps for environmental awards

 Friday Afternoon saw the 8th Cricket Match on the beach between Udaya’s team and Lahiru’s team.  We watched drinking tea and eating cake.  Udaya’s team won and Della presented the cup to the proud captain before the fishermen launched their boats to fish all night.

Presenting the trophy

Launching the boat

Almost the end of a frenetic but incredibly worthwhile month!