Video

Here is a link to a video summary of the trip to Sri Lanka with Ocean Stars Trust.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ho7YTVMKd0

A week on... from Ruth

Well, it's almost seven days ago we said goodbye to Sri Lanka but I can still visualise and hear Janika, Sudha and Ranga our drivers, standing at the table at The Green Cabin restaurant singing their national anthem at the end of our meal. It was very moving and unforgettable.

We have so much to ponder -all the awesome things we saw and experienced. Not least the incredible way we got to Grace children's home. No one could have imagined a more miraculous working out of a series of events that led us there !
The boys were so caring towards each other but at the same time just normal boys when it came to playing games!

Those children in the playgroups, once the novelty of these strange people had worn off, were just like those at home .There's always one who wants to do their own thing and has to be 'guided' back to conform for the good of the rest!

We cried silent tears of sadness and frustration at times when we felt overwhelmed by the unjustice we saw around us-but we had many more times of joy and laughter when we saw what a difference a few small things could do especially the look on the face of the small boy who had his own new shoes for probably the first time.

Then there was the sheer hilarity of the parachute games and Dilanee and Bron giving yet another rendition of 'The wheels on the bus' on the inset morning! The playgroup ladies though were so eager to devour any new ideas that would give their charges a good start in their young lives.We heard later that the afternoon session was delayed as they were crying after we had left---we were quite shaken by that news .

It goes without saying that this charity is making a difference to these folk.A big thankyou must be given to those who supported this venture by giving gifts and finance I saw where it went and I can assure you every penny went straight to those who needed it most.

Perhaps my most abiding memory will be the people who live in such poverty and yet have the ability to give and share their all with strangers . They were so generous to us their hospitality was overwhelming at times and made me feel how mean I am and how much I need to be reminded of the countless undeserved blessings I take for granted each day.
May God bless you Dilanee.

Ruth

Some more final words...

The biggest thing that has struck me since getting back to England is the enthusiasm with which people listen to my stories. Although it is sometimes difficult to talk about the things we saw and experienced during our time in Sri Lanka, people are so keen to hear, and more often than not they are very quick to grasp the concept of what Ocean Stars does. People are so impressed with the personal touch Ocean Stars maintains with each project and each individual, it feels as if our trip helps people relate more directly to the concept of giving. Although it is unrealistic to think that all the people I speak to will feel compelled to donate to Ocean Stars, I feel that it will encourage them to look more for avenues of charity that share the same principles.
Despite these positives, it is still very hard to get back in to my English life with the same passion I found in Sri Lanka – I feel that a lot of this drive will be put to use in organise my 6-8 week trip which looks as though it will almost certainly be happening around March/April. This only gives me a very short time to get the details sorted, so it looks like I might be making phone calls to Ranga very soon.

Matt

It’s been a week now since our return from Sri Lanka. A week of what constitutes normality for us. For me it has been a time of reflection. I’ve tried and am still trying to come to terms with all that I have seen and experienced with OST ’09. As I returned to teach in school my thoughts constantly ran to the children in the pre-schools in Batti. As my children here in Fleet played with toys, painted pictures, rode bicycles and read umpteen books I thought about those dusty floors, the plastic chairs, the empty cupboards. As I walked around my own home I remembered the family of six we visited last Thursday who live together in one room the size of my garage and who sleep on a concrete floor. They appear to have so little and yet they have so much. So much warmth, so much kindness and real courage. They humble me completely. I feel truly grateful for the experience they have shared with me. I’m challenged and encouraged to do all I can to support them and to fight the injustice of their situation. In all it has been a privilege. A privilege to have lived and worked with Dame Dilanee and each member of the team and a privilege to have had time with some very special people. The memories live on…

Maureen

Final words from Ruth...

Amazing sounds sights and smells!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!What a mad whirl of activity. How do you choose which vendor you will buy from ? Sri Lanka must now earn the name of a nation of shopkeepers!
What a contrast to the other world we left yesterday.I wonder what the children from the playgroup would make of this.I wish I had a video in my head to replay all we’ve seen. I shall never be able to articulate or adequately tell everyone what it has been like for me. We talk about life being a journey this has been a marathon one for me.
At the start of this trip I said I had thought I would be taken out of my comfort zone==== now I feel like James Bond’s martini - shaken and stirred . I hope I won’t become complacent—but I fear I will.
My life has been touched and I feel truly fortunate and privileged to have been here .
Ruth

Day 9 - Kate and Bron go to Galle

Saturday. 5.20am. UGH! But Ranga was calling for us (Kate & Bron) at 6 to go down south to a project in Galle. The rest of the team had been quite sorry for us to be ‘working’ on the last day when they were shopping, but actually it turned out to be a very interesting and varied day. We stopped off for a coffee break then travelled on to meet Rev Dareeju, a Methodist minister in Galle. We struggled with his name – practising to get it right when we met him, only to find that he greeted us with ‘Hello, I am Leslie’! Oh, well! J He took us to see a small village who were living in new housing about 15k inland. They had all lost their homes in the tsunami, and all the 50 families had been given lovely new homes. All good, you may think. But these were FISHERMEN! 15k from the sea. A bus runs twice each day, but to fish at night, there was no transport. One of the temporarily unoccupied houses was being used as a school run by 3 lovely young teachers – as additional lessons for the children. They were asking for help with the school, which was being ‘repossessed’ last night and given to a family. But this wasn’t an existing community – just a collection of families who didn’t know each other before, thrown together in this isolated village. So they also asked for help with building a temporary community centre with many uses – not just the school but also a possible playgroup and for meetings of the community. We left feeling sad at the situation but inspired by the teachers and the efforts of the community leaded to try to help everyone. On the way back to Galle we saw rubber trees, each with its own little cup, a small tea plantation a cinnamon bush and rice plants, none of which I had seen before other than in pictures. Having dropped Leslie back at his home, we set off back to Columbo. We had a paddle on the glorious beach along the way, visited a turtle research station – tiny, two day old turtles up to old gentlemen turtles. We saw a memorial to the lives lost in a train in the Tsunami – a terrible, graphic depiction of the train and the people. We arrived back at the hotel in a torrential thunderstorm – Yasmin took a brilliant a picture of the lightening, and the thunder was so loud.
A day of contrasts – but I preferred it to shopping and returned in time to get ready for our final meal in Colombo – a party of the English and Sri Lankan members of the team. A good time was had by all – it was a lovely evening.

The videos are gradually going to be uploaded for everyone to see! There is a little video for each day.

A few more photos...

Blowing up balloons!

Colouring in kites (PK Nursery kites)

Teddies were very well recieved!

POONICHIMUNAI NURSERY
Wednesday: Helena, Bron & Matt
These names are just impossible for us poor Brits who are so unused to learning new languages…so Pooh Corner is what this playgroup has now been ‘christened’. What a relief for Bron and I…there are tables as well as chairs! No need to stick and glue on a sandy track. Led by two lovely Muslim teachers this playgroup of 30 kids is in one reasonably sized room …so out came the glue and streamers, crayons and beanbags and off we went. It became apparent as we worked, that these children have real difficulty choosing for themselves. They were desperate to do things ‘right’ and kept asking which colour to use on their pictures and waiting to be told what to do next. Thulia bravely translated our songs and stories and all went well. The teachers smiled and nodded and laughed along with the rest of us as the children tried to guess what these mad people from England were expecting them to do. The hokey-cokey was a great success…a brilliant song for bringing us all together. It was lovely for the children to see Matt and Ranga joining in with everything. Like in England…men are a rare breed in the playgroup setting.
Prayers started and ended the day then waving their streamers at the end of a really hectic session the kids set off for home on whatever form of transport the family used. Some running, some on the cross bar of their father’s bicycle or balanced on the front and back of their motorbike.

Wednesday evening we set off for Dinner and a meeting with the Organisation for Deaf and Dumb Families which is yet another project supported by Ocean Stars. These families are often outsiders in the communities and have difficulty finding work and communicating with those of us who taking hearing and speaking for granted. Over twenty families were gathered together and translation became ever more complicated…English, Singhalese, Tamil, Sign…but it was all carried out with the best of humour everyone managing to get across their views, their thanks and their requests. Many had travelled for miles but benefited from being together and finding support from each other


KALKUDAH PLAYGROUP
Betty, Kate and Danny
Kalkudah is a Methodist Playgroup. The schoolroom was in good condition but apart from a store cupboard there was nothing else there. Danny immediately set to work planning how to put up two shelves, one on each side of the room. Procurement of materials proved interesting. It took 6-8 woodyards before he could find what he wanted. The outside area was quite large and they had a lot of play things but unfortunately the swings were out of order. This was another job for Danny and by the end of the morning all three swings had new seats and the children enjoyed playing on them. We were a little concerned about the lack of toilets.
Kate started with an introductory circle and the children were very responsive. We sang a few songs and ended with Five Little Ducks. We then divided the class into two groups. I took the older group and Kate took the younger one. They coloured and decorated cardboard ducks which were then hung on the wall. The children had a biscuit and drink during their break. After break the children made and decorated crowns, which they were very proud to wear. All this to the accompaniment of hammering in the background as the new shelving was being put in place so we took the children out into the play area. They sang marching songs and played with shakers. This was followed by bean bag games and other physical activities. We went back in for the final songs and circle activities to say “Good Bye” The staff were very pleasant and we were taken to one of the parents houses and had a very enjoyable lunch.

URANI NURSERY
Thursday, we (Heli, Bron and Yasmin) set off to Urani playgroup along with our now vastly experienced support team… Ranga (the driver) who makes an excellent ‘monkey falling off the bed’ and Thulia (our interpreter) who now has ‘Three little ducks’ off pat in Tamil and can quack along with us all. We introduced the playgroup teachers to the idea of linking with PK Preschool in Grayshott. Heli showed the children the photos from PK and they were especially thrilled with the idea of snow (which took some explaining to 3 year olds who never have a day when the temperature drops below 20 degrees Celsius.) The two wonderful teachers there were really enthusiastic at the idea that photos of them and their children would be taken back to the UK to share with PK. It was a delight to have Yasmin with us today. She added a new dimension with her bounciness and her energy, entertaining group after group with bubbles and chases and push after push on the swings in their playground provided and maintained by The Ocean Stars Trust. The lunch club in Urani is sponsored by Ocean Stars which ensures that these children from very poor homes have one hot meal a day. But like all kids, they have their likes and dislikes so all the vegetables and fish were chopped small and hidden in the rice. (Sounds familiar doesn’t it). The lunch provided for us ‘teachers’included crab portions in shells, a serious challenge to those of us not yet adept at eating with our fingers. A lovely morning…and now we have worked in our last playgroup, I think we have nearly got it sussed.

Friday 30th October …..Time to go!
We woke (at 5a.m!) to a heavy shower of rain, badly needed in this part of the world as drought has rendered many of the wells that provide clean drinking water, almost dry. Despite the weather, we headed off to the beach for a sunrise swim which was a bit mad in the circumstances since we are all pretty exhausted. However Joseph served up omelettes and scrambled eggs for breakfast when we returned to Avonlea Inn which set us up well for this our last day in Batti. And what a day it proved to be…
Having spent time in many of the playgroups which Ocean Stars sponsors here in Batti we decided that it might be useful to have a morning with the teachers. Our aim was to try to support them in the difficult and challenging situations that they all work in and to give them some ideas for activities that they might like to try with the children. So we had hired a local community hall for the morning and at 8.00a.m we headed there and began the setting up process. By 9.00 thirty teachers had arrived all dressed in their best saris, much to Sudat’s delight. There was a lot of pointing and giggling going on! We divided into five groups. Each group then moved around the room joining in the different activities that we had prepared for them. They all participated willingly even if they were a little bemused by all that we were doing- jumping around with beanbags on their heads or making things out of junk not to mention all the whooping (led by Dilanee) that was going on around the parachute ,are not activities that they are used to. It was a good session and as the morning concluded we all felt it had been very worthwhile. Lunch was a Sri Lankan take away, rice and curry wrapped in newspaper and then it was time to say goodbye. It was difficult – these people have moved and inspired us so much. It was a wrench to leave.
And then began the long(!) journey back to Colombo. Travelling here is a bit like the whacky races. Cars speed by and overtake on corners, horns constantly blare and cows, buses, lorries compete with the cars for space on the roads. But we bumped along without too many hairy moments or maybe there were lots but we’ve just become more acclimatised to them. Around 10p.m we arrived at the Galadari hotel – bright lights, carpets, hot water…a world away from Batti and yet it’s just the other side of this small island. We were all quiet as we entered and were shown to our rooms and yes we are tired but are minds are still full of the people we have met and worked alongside this week. This is a world far removed from them…the way some people have to live really is a bitter pill to swallow.

Day 5 - Batti Playgroups

Today we splt into three groups and went to three (or more) different playgroups. There s an account for each group!

Helena & Bron

Thuraineelawana nursery is a small tin shack standing on the corner of two sandy tracks in the middle of nowhere. It is school for 13 beautiful children who had all turned out in their best, best clothes to greet us with garlands of sweet smelling flowers and overwhelmed us by their generosity and joyful faces. The temperature in the shack was too high, so we decorated amazing crowns and threaded cardboard teddies whilst balancing everything on our knees in the shade of a tree along the sides of the track. Lunch was delivered by hand, dished out on to bowls on the floor of the hut and silence reigned whilst the children tucked into really huge plates full of rice, fish and vegetable curries. Then it was our turn to delight in a veritable feast. A wonderful playgroup with a truly inspiring teacher who remained calm and caring and forgiving whilst we caused chaos in her playgroup.

Mandur Nursery – Betty, Yasmin, Kate and Danny

After a 50 minute bus ride we boarded a small ferry on foot carrying all the toys and materials we wanted to use with the children. The bus was unable to come along too because of the precarious state of the ferry although it was already packed full of people, bicycles and motorbikes. The remaining journey was carried out by tuk-tuks, a first for some of the team. The drivers are all budding Jenson Buttons without the appropriate vehicles or flat roads. However they negotiate the cows, endless cycles, haphazard pedestrians and other tuk-tuks with great skill.

The children were wonderful and we were greeted with garlands followed by solo singing performances by a number of the more confident ones. We proceeded to entertain them with threading teddies, 5 little ducks, streamers and numerous action songs. While occupied with children Danny turned his hand to helping with re-fixing doors (to keep the dogs out) and securing windows with metal mesh framework (to keep the birds out). Both should help to stop the necessary daily clean prior to the children coming in. Workforce aplenty, tools lacking and timber an extortionate price.

After a packed morning we went to another nursery in the area that is looking for funding from Ocean Stars. The children were beautifully turned out and again presented us with more flowers. A tasty lunch at the first nursery followed before we had to catch the ferry back.

We then visited a couple of families from the Deaf and Dumb project. Both families are struggling with the very dry conditions though are among the luckier ones as they have been rehoused since the tsunami.

It has been an amazing day and for me (Kate) and lovely to be back among the Batticaloa community. I am saddened to see the impact of the very dry conditions on the local people, many of whom rely on agriculture for a living. The paddy fields are parched and the wells are dry and reports from Bron and Helena tell us that the area around Thur……. nursery no longer has any water – the waterlilies are standing upright on parched ground, and the buffaloes have nowhere to wallow.

Wesley High School and Thurukovil Nursery – Ruth, Matt, Dilanee and Maureen

Another early start as, it seems, is the norm for Ocean Stars trips! After about an hours journey we arrived at Wesley High School, in time for their morning assembly. We were warmly welcomed each of us being given several pretty garlands of flowers. Then the grand entrance – we were ushered on to the main stage and introduced to the school who had all gathered in the courtyard in front of us. Initially it felt quite intimidating and overwhelming but the welcome was so warm that we soon relaxed and enjoyed the programme of ‘entertainment’ that the pupils had prepared for us. And what a programme it was – singing, poetry and traditional dance. There were several star performances but the highlight for me was a dance performed by a young girl who is both deaf and dumb. She moved perfectly in time with the music using only the vibrations she could sense as her guide. Dilanee was then invited to speak to the school which she did in her usual calm and caring manner. In fact she positively inspired them to follow their dreams as she was doing with Ocean Stars, for you never know where it might lead or what it might be possible to achieve.

It was hard to drag ourselves away but before long we were on our way once more. Next stop was Thurukovil Nursery. This was Ocean Stars first visit and we had a thoroughly enjoyable morning. The children were relaxed, friendly and full of fun. The two teachers encouraged and supported them constantly and seem to be doing everything they can with the resources they have, to do their best for the children.

Again it was hard to drag ourselves away but Ranchan had planned a busy schedule for the day so off we had to go. Our next appointment was with several of the sponsor families. It is a truly humbling and moving experience to go into these homes. We were waited on hand and foot – nothing was too much trouble. They may materially be less wealthy than ourselves, but at times I feel sure that in spirit, they are the richer people.

Another account of the rock climb...

(Helena's two helpers)

Day 4 - Climb up Sigiriya rock.

We started the day today with a bit of a lie in (breakfast at 7am!) And then started the journey towards batti. We planned to stop for Sigiriya after one and half hours, but after what felt like half an hour we saw the majestic presence of the rock dominating the landscape. So we started the journey up the rock, beginning at the outer moat, past the inner moat, and through the water gardens, in which our tour guide took great pleasure in describing the kings luxurious lifestyle, and the ins and outs of the castle’s defense system. As the climb continued, groups of helpful men appeared, who were employed for the sole purpose of escorting tourists up the precarious steps. So the group of us continued some walking, some seemingly being dragged, up to the second level. Here there were a pair of lions paws either side of a stair case, which the guide told us would have meant climbing through a lions mouth in the period in which the castle was active.

Here a couple of members of the group decided that the idea of carrying on higher on the increasingly rickety steps simply didn’t appeal, but those of us who continued found the final stage to be the most rewarding, as we were greeted by stunning views in every direction. The whole trip was made far more enjoyable by the guide who we all felt had a brilliant knowledge of the area and its history, as well as fantastic story telling skills!

From Sigiriya we continued on the journey to batticoloa. The drivers’ estimates for the journey seemed to range from two to four hours, so we were pleasantly surprised when we arrived after just over an hour more driving, and were immediately made to feel so welcome by Joseph. Tomorrow we split into three teams and begin the process of visiting various projects in the region, managed by the EOST time, so as you can imagine, the rooms have been a hive of activity, preparing various craft activities and games for the children.

Matt and Yasmin

Day 4 - Sigiriya Rock

Day 4 Monday 26.10.09

Day 4 has been set aside as a travelling day as we have to reach Batticalda by the evening. As this is not a working day we treated this as a holiday. After a 7.0am breakfast we packed our bags and left Dambulia. We travelled in two minibuses and one car, taking in all the interesting details on the way. We visited the City, Palace and Royal Gardens at Sigiriya. Sigiriya itself is a walled-and-moated royal capital of the fifth century A.D.

This was another real adventure. The Palace complex was on top of a rock rising 200 metres above the surrounding plain. (1252 steps). The views were fantastic and those of us who were brave enough to climb to the top were truly rewarded for our efforts. Our guide told us all the interesting things on the way and we felt as if we had had an insight into the history of Sri Lanka.

We then proceeded to Batticaloa along a very good road. We stopped to take photos of anything of interest and had lunch in a very nice restaurant overlooking the lake at Polonnaruwa. When we arrived at our hotel in Batticaloa we unpacked and then went for a swim in the Indian Ocean. It was wonderful, swimming in warm water in the moon-light. After a briefing session for our next working day we had a very good dinner followed by a packing session in preparation for a busy day tomorrow.

Betty

Day 3 - Visit to Trinco

Day - 3

Another early start today – we were off to Trinco to the playgroup there. The roads were, to quote Sudha, ‘broken’ – but the potential for easier travel in the future was apparent in the quantity of road building. Sitting in the back seats of the minibus was amazing – who needs an adventure holiday! We were greeted, as last year, with garlands made of threaded tiny shells given by the children of the playgroup to each of us. We were royally entertained by all the children with poems, dances and songs – ‘Found a peanut’ will never be the same again – in three languages, Tamal, Sinhalese and English! And they sang the Hokey Cokey for us – we had taught it to them over several years and this was the first time they had sung it for us.

All the team went to visit some of the OST sponsored children in their homes and again, the hospitality of these families is amazing. (I seem to remember the ‘a’ word was banned fairly early in the trip last year, but sometimes…) Cake, pineapple, papaya and bananas – along with orangeade – and I seemed to be expected to eat it all. I tried to encourage them to join me, but Sri Lankan custom is that guests must be fed and made comfortable before the family.

A veritable feast at Janabdeen’s house followed – fish, clams, vegetables, three sorts of rice – all cooked by Janabdeen’s wife, Ayesha. A brief hiatus in a busy day – much welcomed and appreciated.

Back in the minibuses, and we were off back towards our hotel in Dambulla, but via another real treat of dinner in the eco-friendly forest lodge owned by Rohan. Rohan was there, and Yasmin who had done much of the cooking along with the lodge cook. Our conversation turned serious – politics, religion, climate change – Rohan is a very interesting man to talk with. Yasmin too is lovely – and I really need some of her recipes! J

All in all, a day of extremes – long journeys, delicious food, meeting with children and their families, resting in the jungle. But it was a wonderful day – great fun and very thought provoking too, in many ways.

Bron

Ruth's thoughts...

Day 3 Sunday

As I write on a very bumpy ride to Trinco it’s 7.20am and we have been up since 5.45 of am!

The morning air is warm and balmy and there’s all the excitement and promise of a new day ahead. I feel I’ve lived a lifetime already-so much has happened that thrills my soul and makes me want to thank God for all that he is doing in this place and especially for the care expressed by mrs Nadaragah to her boys. The boys are charmers and the way they look out for the younger ones is brilliant.All the boys have experienced so much in their young lives already but they were so pleased to welcome us and seemed to enjoy the activities we did together.

They gave us far more than we gave them and it was difficult to leave them without wishing we could stay longer and enjoy their company.

Today looks exciting…….

Ruth

A few more pics...

Playing with the parachute at Grace and being dinner ladies at grace!

Internet problems

HI everyone!

It has been difficult to find time to reach an internet cafe these last few days so this is why there haven't been many posts! We are still writing the blog every night... just waiting to upload it to the site!

Today we are travelling to Batti where we will be for five days, with a trip up Sigariya Rock on the way (climbing the rock)! Hopefully we will be able to do more regular blogs when we are there, so keep checking!

I have made a video for each day too, but i am struggling to upload them at the moment because the connection is slower over here... so you may have to wait until we are back to view the videos i'm afraid!

FYI - comments are very well received by the team ;) It has been a very emotional trip so far and I am excited about the rest of the week. The highlight for me so far is just being with the children, playing and having fun with them! Rocket balloons and the parachute have both been a big success with the kids as they have nothing like this over here.

Yasmin

Day 2 - Grace Childrens Home

Saturday - Grace childrens home

‘Where do I begin to tell the story….’ Or so the song begins. After a day like today that’s a sentiment all of here can relate too. It’s been a very special day in more ways than one.
We began very early – 5.30 a.m was the wake up call, and we were off and on our way to Grace Home in Vavuniya by 6.45. We made good time and reached the Military checkpoint about 30 kms from Vavuniya at 9.00. On applying for permission to travel on into the town we were told by the officials that we could go no further! We were on the edge of what is deemed a war zone and foreign nationals are not allowed to enter!

To cut a long story short, there then followed lengthy negotiations between Dilanee and various important police and army officials. In between times there were phone calls to the U.K and Canada and a letter faxed to the Secretary of State for defence. Finally ‘Dame’ Dilanee won the day and we were able to go ahead with our visit to Mrs Nadarajah and the boys.

Interesting is the best way to describe the journey. Never more will we complain about road works on the M25. At least they keep at least ½ the road open whilst they dig up the rest, unlike the strategy used here. Our heart goes out to our amazing drivers whose skill at avoiding pot holes and wandering cattle is greatly to be admired. But it was all worth it when we arrived at Grace Home for Boys. The delight on their faces was a joy to see when we eventually drove in.

After a brief ‘Hello’ Maureen and the Team took the boys out onto the grass where we all played with an enormous parachute kindly donated by Heatherside Infants School. The boys thought it was fantastic and laughter and shouts filled the air as they ran under and over the ‘shute. ‘Fleet Dinner Ladies inc.’ served up the boys’ lunch before we sat down to a veritable feast prepared by the staff in the Home. After lunch it was a quiet time when some of us were taken on a guided tour of the Home by some very proud boys while others help to set up the craft activity. Using hands as templates they created a beautiful pot of flowers that then decorated the wall. Once the temperature outside subsided we were all outside playing with footballs, Frisbees, skipping ropes, bean bags and the parachute. In the meantime Dilanee was out and about in town buying shoes, socks, bags and two large cupboards that were delivered by tractor later in the afternoon.

Mrs Nadarajah celebrates her birthday next week so we all sang ‘Happy Birthday’ before tucking into chocolate cake and tea. The boys then entertained us by singing accompanied by one of the boys on the keyboard. ‘Dame’ Dilanee then played Kumbaya while the rest of us sang along.

It was an emotional farewell on both sides as we climbed back into the buses for the long journey back to Dambulla. Travelling home took 3 hours rather than the 5 ½ it took to get there this morning, but it was a day that none of us would have missed.

Everyone








Pictures from Grace childrens home and team at the airport!

Sunshine welcomes team 09 to Sri Lanka!

DAY ONE LOG

We arrived in Sri Lanka at 7.10am after a very good flight. We then travelled to our Hotel in time for breakfast at 8.00am. The Sea Shells Hotel was right on the beach and we were to told “chill out” and rest for the day.
I started by having a swim in the ocean. It was really lovely. Then the rest of the day was spent resting and getting to know the rest of the team. We left at 4.30pm for Dambulla and arrived just after 9.0pm, ready to pack things for tomorrow and get a good nights sleep. I’m having a lovely time and enjoying every minute.
Betty

Im sitting outside our hotel room at the end of what has, at times, seemed like an endless day. Not really sure what day it is –I know we left Thursday and arrived early Friday so It must still be Friday! It’s great to be back and I’m really looking forward to going to Grace tomorrow and seeing Mrs Nadarajah and the boys once more. Before that, though, I really need some sleep………
Maureen

It is great to be back, this time welcomed by sunshine rather than pouring rain. Ranga and Sudah are both in fine form though Ranga’s car doesn’t work too well. He is, at present, sitting at the side of the road waiting to get it fixed. It has been a long day though now on the way to Vavuniya to see the children at Grace Children’s Home tomorrow. It will be lovely to see all those smiling faces again and I look forward to football, frisby and bean bags.
Kate

Dilanee is breaking us in gently with a day in a beach hotel, just getting acclimatised. Watching the fishermen emptying their boats of the morning catch and repairing their nets was almost biblical. Then to see rice farmers in the paddy fields as we drove inland made our first hours here a great experience.
Looking forward now to the Children’s Home tomorrow.
Heli


I have a new definition of bilingual. ‘Two languages spoken by two people’. With little common ground. At lunchtime , the group decided a spot of lunch might be good. So I volunteered to go and order some sandwiches. Having looked at the menu I asked for a selection of fillings – enough for eight people. ‘Ten?’ came the cheerful and polite reply. ‘No’, I said, ‘There are ten in the group but two have gone out. So there are eight’. So that was OK – or so I thought, and I know my Sinhalese is much worse (ie non-existent!) than the waiter’s English. We retired to the lounge to await said lunch. Periodically, a head would pop over the balcony overhead and say, ‘Ten?’ ‘No, eight’. The sandwiches, when they arrived, were eight, but all toasted cheese and lettuce – lettuce? In a toasted sandwich? And chips which weren’t in the original conversation. But when you are bilingual and there are two of you, anything is possible!  Bron

It is great to be back in SL with Team 09. Day one has already has had its supply of laughter. Kate and I went on a tour of cricket shops in Colombo in the morning. I could not work out why Ranga wasn’t putting his car into 1st gear now I know as he is somewhere on a roadside with his broken down car. We have a busy day ahead so I am off to bed now. Looking forward to going to Grace tomorrow. Laters as Yaz keeps saying to me! Dilanee xx

We have arrived safely!

Hello everyone, just to let you know that we have arrived! It is really hot here and the morning has been spent catching up on sleep and swimming in the sea. We are getting ready to head to Grace Childrens Home. Sorry about the shortness of the post, we are having a few technical difficulties but stay tuned and we will be back online asap!

x

More pre-trip thoughts

Matt

Looking forward to going to Sri Lanka and meeting some of the people I've heard so much about. Sure it's going to be very different to anything I've ever done and am keen to get started now. Not looking forward to mossies or humidity but am looking forward to working with the children.


Maureen

There’s much I look forward to – freshly squeezed mango juice, green bananas, monkeys dropping from trees, elephants on the loose – so much to see and appreciate. But mostly
it’ s the people that inspire me. Mrs Nadarajah and the boys at grace, Nihilanthi and all the pre-school teachers, all the EOST staff and of course the children. They give so much and expect so little in return.

I have one big worry. Sleep or if last years experience is anything to go by, the lack of it!
So thanks to Ruth, I have these little blue pills and I’m hoping they’ll help me drop off! I’ll keep you posted on that one!

Pre-trip thoughts

Dilanee

Last year I fulfilled a dream and took a team out to Sri Lanka to visit the projects of the Ocean Stars Trust. Some of the Team were suitably inspired to go again this year. We have an amazing team of 10 people going out this year. We have met frequently and are super organised for the trip this year. I am looking forward to sharing my birth country with the team and also to meeting up with all the wonderful people who make up the Ocean Stars Team in Sri Lanka.



Kate

Looking forward to going out to Sri Lanka again and hopefully meeting some of the wonderful people I met last year. Not looking forward to trying to fit 40kg of excess baggage into my hand luggage. Oh well. Watch this space – or lack of it.



Danny

Worries – none apart from the risk of being nagged eight fold.
I am going with an open mind, just going to let the experience surprise me.



Helena

Well, what do you do with thirty pre-schoolers who do not speak any English when you speak no Tamil? Have fun I guess. So that is what I hope we can do. Make learning fun for the little ones and have some fun ourselves.
Apart from that, what worries me???…Mossies, humidity and heat. And what excites me?? The chance to see new places, meet new friends and share new experiences.



Ruth

I too am excited (and a little anxious I have to say ) at the amazing opportunity and privilege to be going to such a beautiful land that has suffered such trauma and maybe contribute something that will bring a little light relief.
I am a little worried that the heat will be hard to take and the lovely wildlife will enjoy biting me! Apart from that I think it is going to be challenging to my mindset and will disturb my comfort zone and give me more than enough food for thought BUT – I am delighted to be going!



Bron

I’m so pleased to be returning to Sri Lanka and meeting up again with the people I got to know a little last year. I have concerns, but different ones to this time last year. The flight and the heat, which were my main worries last year, and which I discovered were not as bad as I feared, are replaced by knowing something of the situations we will find, and the wish to do something to help. The driving methods also remain forever imprinted on my mind! Mostly I’m just looking forward to returning to the playgroups, and working with the children.



Betty

I am very excited about going to Sri Lanka. I have worked in a similar situation in Northern Philippines. The children there could not speak English. They had lost everything through the Mount Pinatubo disaster. I worked for the EVA charity foundation helping set up schools links. I am not worried about the climate. I want to do all I can and help in every way I can when I get there. I am not too worried about the journey.



Yasmin

I have been to Sri Lanka before on holiday with my family and I am really looking forward to coming to see all the projects Ocean Stars is working with. It will be nice to see and put a face to the people I have heard about and I am ready for the challenge of working with the kids from the playgroups. I know I will enjoy my time in Sri Lanka, but it will be very different to what I have experienced before in my life.