UNTIL NEXT TIME…
27 JUNE 2014
Hi everyone!
I'm currently sitting at Colombo airport just waiting to board. It feels a little odd as since 6 April I've been surrounded by people and now I have been on my Jack Jones for the past few hours, so I thought I'd draft a note to summarise my time in Sri Lanka.
Over the past three months, I met some amazing people, had some super conversations and had some amazing experiences that I'll never forget. I feel quite lucky as the experiences have been so diverse - from living with Upal, Kumari, the kids and other volunteers in rural Horana, to volunteering in community centres and getting local people, including children that live in challenging conditions due to circumstances beyond their control, teaching (and learning from) our students, to being a tourist, hangin’ in Colombo at weekends, bumming around on beaches, going to the World Youth conference and getting to be part of the closing ceremony with our friends.
Without a doubt, the people have made this trip super priceless, so this email is in acknowledgement to them...
To the original Horana girls aka April Bun: Danielle, Sopie, Lizzie, Hollibobs, Lauren, Beckey, Nat and Cat - I'm so pleased we met and we just got on. Things were just easy and we arrived at just the right time.
To our field officers, who became our good friends: Ravi, Shakila and Jayani - thank you for all your help and for welcoming us into your lives and homes. Our lunch today was really nice.
To the SLV team: what a great placement! Thank you for making behind-the-scenes logistics so seamless, especially re visa issues! I could never have guessed how varied this chapter could be and I'm so pleased I rocked up at the SLV office back in 2012!
To Danielle's family: Uncle Garvin, Aunty Marie-Ann, cousin Gyles and Chala, who made me feel so welcome into their family.
To my students and all the people I have met in the Development Centres and homes. There were defo some challenging times, but as we got to know each other, and I started to understand more about your circumstances and Sri Lankan culture, the lessons just got so much better for everyone.
To the boys who four of the team met after the conference and then became our friends. These boys are school friends who have all studied abroad and returned to Sri Lanka and are just nice guys and super cool.
To Meg and Julie who I met under unusual circumstances, but I'll always remember that great morning in Una.
And lastly and most importantly, to my homestay family: Upal, Kumari, Kavitha, Ramesha and little Danidu. You have been so kind and generous and I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of your family (and the extended family next door on both sides). I will defo miss Kumari's cooking - I've had lessons, but will my standard match Kumari's? Who knows! I'll also really miss Danidu - half monkey, half good boy, but wholly entertaining.
Thank you for making my time in Sri Lanka so memorable. It's now time to move on and tomorrow afternoon I'll arrive in Mauri and I'll spend some time with my family.
Until next time ...
Hari, hari. Okay bye.
Vid xxx
