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Destination: Sri Lanka

Date: 28 December 2009

Thursday 24th December

Ready for the off......the weather looks as if it might be kind.

Solly drove me to the airport, and with my excess luggage to consider, I saw a friendly face - Chris Richards, and he was travelling very light - he readily agreed at my suggestion that we check in together and we sailed through. 10 min delay on take off - which I could completely forgive! We glided over a picture postcard into Gatwick. The snow although now no so thick was very pretty. Chris commented that it looked as if someone had sprinkled icing sugar - it was very beautiful!

Annemarie and the driver were waiting for me and we were soon taking the back roads as the M25 was chocka with traffic.

Straightforward check in and then we learned that MANY people were simply not going to make it to their destinations for Christmas - very sad!

Took off on time and Annemarie had thoughtfully bagged us seats in the small forward cabin in the front row with plenty of leg room. As we were getting organised Bruno Tonioli one of the judges from Strictly Come Dancing pushed past to get to his First Class seat at the front. I considered asking him if he would mind swopping but resisted the temptation! He didn't look terribly sociable and disembarked at The Maldives!

I read an article in a Grazia mag someone had left behind about a man who spotted his sister begging on the street in Galle only 3 weeks ago. He had lost touch with her after the terrible Tsunami - it appears that she has lost her memory - she apparently was on the train, which was washed over by the wave at Peraliya - they had attempted to find her but thought she had died! If this is true and the family can be reunited it is surely a wonderful story.

We arrived a few mins late and found Prasad at about 4.45pm - down to my second home and we had a quick bite to eat and then unpacked and fell into bed!

 

Saturday 26th December 2009

The 5th Anniversary of the terrible Tsunami!
After breakfast there was a Perehera outside the hotel with dancers and a sole elephant!

We sorted out the stuff we had been given to bring over - loads of lovely children's clothes given by Annemarie's friend Vicky in Jersey and a lady called Rebecca Tallon in Guernsey. We sorted it all into age and sex and then labeled the bags ready for the van.
Nilanthie arrived and we went though the lists for food and the toy parcels. Then we gave her, her Christmas presents!

Next to visit Chaini in her new house - I was really pleased to see Asanka there helping Indika to move the earth from the land onto the track we have made. The house is really lovely and mum could NOT stop smiling!

The house looked really good and they all seemed so relaxed......

Chaini told us that they had flooded 4 times in the last week leading up to the ceremony when they moved in on Tuesday of this week. They have had to get the cess pit sorted and it has taken a while but they needed to have a sealed unit as the water table everywhere is high. The great news is that this area never floods - the family have been keeping a close eye on things while the rain has been rendering them homeless in Walahanduwa!

Chaini told me about the 5 houses lying directly behind their house and where the school will be. There are 5 girls from an Orphange that was Tsunami affected and a local lady built them each a house......but she only built 2 toilets and one washing area. The toilet cess pits are full and so I have asked Chaini to organize getting the pit emptied asap. It may be that we can build them another pair of toilets as the houses apparently now have 6 or so residents in each - so potentially - 30 people using 2 toilets and one well! Ouch.

On to see Rasika who had been sleeping but was up and greeting us as we walked in. He looked very well and when I asked him if he had any problems - the answer was only one! The toilet at the workshop - phew........ I heaved a sigh of relief. It seems it does not flush as the tank is broken and Chaini has sent for the part - so it will be fixed very soon. Spoke with brother Shanta on the phone who is gainfully employed at the beauty salon in Colombo and very busy!

The garden is full of veg all looking very well tended!
Lasika has passed her exams and is doing `Montessori training on Saturdays!

Next to see Nihal at Nilanthie's office as I needed to have a strict talk with him about numbers at the school. He has upped the level yet again! Apparently the guide book for Montessori's says that in the space they have they can have 80 children! I said that is way too much!
They will show me the paperwork. We are now in a situation where the school is so popular that there is also a good waiting list. The problem we are left with is that to tell parents 1 week before they are due back to school that there is no place for them will cause a riot in the village! I too would not be happy if I was given this news. So I have no option but to allow this to happen. However to remedy this situation I am having an agreement drawn up that if any child or children leave during the year they are NOT to be replaced and the intake next year will be reduced. I will think and agree with Nihal a suitable number and we will draw up an agreement.

As we had not stopped for lunch we grabbed some roti and went to see Disna and her new baby.

She is so tiny like a little doll and Disna told me the Dr said she was underweight. Doesn't take a genius to see that I can't see much difference from the day she was born 2 months ago. When she was born she was 1750g and now she is 2350g What is important is that Disna gives her some supplement milk. I cant' give Disna vitamins as the 50+ say not for lactating mothers! Just going to have to make her diet better! So frustrating...

Little Tharushi had made me a Christmas card and Pasidu had left one too - he was off in Ambalangoda at cricket practice!

Gave Disna her money from Rob and also another 2,000 to get some powdered milk for the little baby!

Back to the hotel and Damith came to meet me with the quote for Chandrika's house.

Nilanthie came to bring me some food prices and also to bring little Ranketh to meet us. He has Nilanthie wrapped firmly round his little finger - when he says mum do it - she does! Very sweet and very funny. He was fascinated with his money box and putting the rupees in we gave him!

 

Sunday 27th December

Woke to sunshine, so decided to walk up to Turtle corner and sure enough there were 2 large Turtles feeding right on the shore line. They seemed to beach themselves slightly so they could eat the fine green seaweed, which was being supplied by various locals. They are amazing creatures and these 2 are thought to be around 150 years old. They often come to feed in this area early in the morning and we were given a real treat in terms of how close we were to them.

The hotel is buzzing with a mix of Europeans and locals - quite strange for me to see it full - I am so used to it being really empty.
To Galle and on the way we stopped to see Marshika and Kalpini to tell them that they would each get a school bag and voucher to enable them to buy stationary.

On to Rathgama and to see Thilini and Rucheria

They both looked very well - Thilini has started at Uni in Colombo - she is studying to be a Dr - she seemed to be very happy and full of the fact that she has to study hard - the next question was how Rucheria does and school and the usual answer came amongst gales of laughter ‘he is very lazy' poor Rucheria he does get some stick - lovely boy!
We decided to find out how much her board and lodging is to try and get it sponsored for her.

Next it was a stop at Sandamali's house and she told us that Mahesh has joined the army! You could knock me down with a feather! Of course the salary is good at 18,000 rupees a month and food all in! He will first be paid after 3 months! They expect them to live on thin air before any payment! Anyway they all seemed very pleased. He is stationed in Colombo and has 3 months of training. I am really struggling to get my head around it all!  I am pleased they are happy. Dad looked so much better than 2 months ago - I guess they have got used to the diabetes and are managing it better now.
The baby is so cute and older sister Hyruni clearly adores her AND auntie Sandamali!
I asked Sandamali if she would come and help us on Tuesday with Gayan at Kalupe in our little school to do the weighing out.
We managed to find some clothes for the baby.

On to Galle and as we were looking in the Government shop I got a call from Pryia Tew - she has been emailing me and has some projects out here. Her mother is Sri Lankan and after Tsunami people locally to her gave her money to try and help so she and her husband James came out and set up some projects working with Nuns and helped some ladies get back to work sewing things too. They have a project in Trinco and one here in Galle too.

We all went to Pedlars for a drink and chat - they were a very nice couple and it seemed they were doing some very straightforward honest projects - very refreshing!

We took them to meet Mahesh and after oohing and ahhing at all the sparklies Pryia bought a ring and they left for their chill time at Una. Pryia has an uncle here and he supplies all the shampoos and shower gels for some of the large hotels so he has the contacts for her to move around and stay in nice places.

We shopped in Barefoot and then collapsed into the van back to Hikka - both of us were feeling a little jaded.

 

Monday 28th December

Up early - Asanka had bought Rasika up in Tilly - our tuk tuk! And we set of for Horana - we were to drive for around 2 hours - inside from Kalutura. Our destination was Bodyline PVT Ltd, an off shoot of MAS holdings - they manufacture bras mostly and some swimwear. They are in partnership with Triumph and are one of the largest employers in Sri Lanka. They have 2,000 staff on each of their 2 shifts! And employ 6,0000 in the company! Wow. They also supply M&S with Triumph bras.
We arrived and were met by Kasun who set us up in the Carpark alongside a couple selling teddies and plastic flowers!

They did a roaring trade! We did not seem to have the right product for the sale. The staff were all very helpful and Annemarie and I went into the canteen for a cup of tea and to get the boys some sandwiches.

Dilhani the lovely lady who had organised the day for us came to say hello!
We packed up at 2.30 as we figured we had given it our best shot.
On the way back as I was snoozing - there was suddenly a lot of activity outside the van - we were crossing a river! There was a croc sitting nearby and people had stopped to look. I got out to try and take a pic but it was too far away! Anyway as Annemarie said it was probably a log! I did see it move tho!

the croc is to the right of the white bag!
Okay okay it DOES look like a log! But it was a croc honest!

I called Rizwan, Murshid's friend from Berawalla to ask him if he was available for us to pop in on the way down - he said he was not there and we arranged for him to call down over the weekend and maybe go to the workshop and see where Rasika works etc. He will call me on Friday. He and his brother have a shop at Bentota in the Lanka Princess Hotel.
Damith came for us to discuss the quote.  

 

Tuesday 29th December

We were supposed to be leaving at 8am but with one thing and another it was 8.20 by the time we actually left the hotel. Mrs Mahathun came to see us with the baby and we told her we would see her in the afternoon.

Then another lady who had come from Matara - word travels far! Poor lady she had been burned very badly by a kerosene lamp 4 years ago and needed help. Her hands were so badly deformed - she MUST have been in agony when it happened! The daughter now does everything for her and Mum is also nearly blind in one eye! I gave her 4,000rupees.

Sandamali, Mum and Gayan had arrived in the tuk and as Prasad was not there Annemarie and I left with Gayan and left Sanda and Mum to wait for Prasad. We arrived to find all the Mums and Dads ready for action.

Nilanthie over saw the food being delivered and Nihal had managed to get some weighing scales.

We soon had the system sorted and we managed to pack and sort very speedily.

There were several groups weighing out the potatoes, dahl, onions, rice, garlic and dried fish outside,

while the women packed and sorted school bags inside. Annemarie had a group with her numbering the stationary vouchers and enveloping them.

Very soon we were ready!

The first ones in were the newcomers and they just had a school bag.

Nilanthie's little boy Ranketh was having a lovely time playing on the climbing frame!

The chickens were next to arrive to go with the food parcels

The parcels had, rice, potatoes, onions, garlic, dried fish, dahl, sugar, salt, raisins, oil, curry powder, chili pieces, chili powder, noodles, dried milk, cracker biscuits, lemon puff biscuits, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, washing powder, tea, matches and a chicken in each.

Next we had the new top year through - they all had a food parcel and a school bag with a voucher for stationary!

And here is one child and father who helped us pack working very hard!

We rattled through and were all done by 11.30am - a record and a truly team performance - they all worked really well!

The 2 classes in the school were also given a copy of the Magic Bridge to Christmas written by Linda Le Vasseur. A sponsor had paid for each child in the school to receive one.

When we had finished and cleared up Annemarie and I set off to start and deliver to all the families. We started with the Plastic House family. They were all given school bags and vouchers as well as the food - but we also gave each child a teddy. These were given by the Capelles Methodist Church and Colleen Ogier.

These teddies DEFINITELY went to a good home. The reaction of these children makes this sort of work SUCH a treat for us. These children were SO thrilled and I kept seeing this little chap just stroking the bear down his face and then giving it a hug to within an inch of its life!

When I think of the children at home perhaps feeling disappointed with the colour of the ipod they had just been given and contrast that with what we had just seen - it is such a leveler!

I can see why Father Christmas does it each year!

Next was Erish who was out!

Niroshini, Dayawathi and Kasun were next.

Then Kumani, and Chandrika

From there we went to Lerathana family and they were all very happy!

Next to Nilmini - I thought she did not look so well - she looks very weary!

Then to Nimal - he was sobbing when I went in so I got Prasad to translate for me. It seems the girl, who is 16, has left the family home and married a boy from Kalupe. Mum and Dad were clearly distraught.

I explained that this happens in our country too and as she is old enough to marry there is nothing they can do. It was sad to see them so upset and Mum was clearly very angry. Annemarie and I felt that we could see both sides and for the girl the obvious way out of the terrible life they have was with a man! What a sad situation. We gave them the food and I also gave money for his medication as he had run out of everything.

Next we drove to Susila and gave Wasana some jeans which she was really pleased with.

Soma, Indrani and Rani the blind lady all had their parcels.

We had run out of made up ones so we visited Nilanthie at her shop and made up some more and then set off again. This time it was Mahathun,

Jakes Chicken Shack - they are well pleased with it!

Chooks all look very healthy!

on to Chandana, Disna and Hemalatha

Marshika with her neice! ahhhh

- Pooja and Charles were both out - so Prasad said he would take the one for Charles.

Nilanthie made an appointment at the clinic for Disna and the baby as she is so underweight.

Annemarie and I also feel that Baby Mahathun is also very small - she is going to the clinic tomorrow and I have asked her to ask the Dr what sort of milk she should get for the baby to have a supplement.

Back to the hotel for a drink dinner and then bed!

 

Wednesday 30th December

Up at 8 and after breakfast we counted through all the bags, towels and lunch boxes we had to confirm numbers for tomorrow!

Kumara, Prasad's friend took us to Galle and we went to the bank to sort out the bank account.

Next we drove to Manjari and bought some fabric and baby bits for Disna.

Then to the Fort for a little shopping and lunch and took a tuk to the Lighthouse for a swim and massage.

Back to the hotel to wait for Prasad to tell us that he was near with the volunteers!

They arrived at 8pm having had quite a journey - into the hotel for a beer and rice and curry of course!

They all seemed in very good spirits!

Then I took them to The Curry Bowl where they were staying..........

They are in order............

Piers Kilpatrick, Ed Prow, Lettie Le Moignan, Sophie Smith, Nils Defossez

 

Thursday 31st December

Up early - Erish and his Mum were on the beach so we gave them the food a voucher and school bag and some money so they could get a tuk to take it home. She is so teeny she would fit into the food sack!
On to collect the volunteers to go to Walhanduwa. They all seemed in good spirits but poor Soph was suffering a little with a cold. Ju, a guest from the hotel who I had met several times also wanted to come and help.
Chaini had all the women ready to help and when Nilanthie arrived with the food on board Sisira's truck we all set too to sort and pack.

There were many real troopers in the villagers - they always stand out as the grafters and are so keen to help.
Lettie and Soph did the soap/washing powder/toothpaste /toothbrushes and matches - they bagged them up as a little parcel.
Piers, Nils and Ed helped the women to carry their food bags around and load them up.

After the food bags were complete we started on the school bags and vouchers.

All was completed by 12.30
2 of the villagers gave a little speech thanking us and touchingly recognizing that they only had help from us because of Chaini!
One man asked if we could help with the playground for the children - we went to look - it is a big problem as it floods badly when the rain comes!

Then we adjourned first to the workshop and then to Chaini's house for lunch. Chaini had cooked a wonderful spread and Piers dived in for 3 helpings! Gotta be good - she is so thrilled when people like her food!

Asanka drove the 6 food parcels to Rasika's house and little Vhanga rushed out to give me a birthday card.

He is so cute and really made Annemarie laugh as he grinned and giggled at me!
Ready to go and on the way we saw a HUGE queue at the Naval base in Galle Harbour!

They were queuing to go on the large ship the Navy had captured from the LTTE in the war! It was enormous - and was being shown a little like a trophy! They must have had to queue for hours and hours in the hot sun - Harrods eat your heart out!
Next stop was the de Silva house!

The boys were literally FORCED to play football which was really hard for them!

After a while I had to TEAR them away........

And our next stop was Induwathi and the Railway family - I caused a little stir as I had to sort out the chickens in the boot - the once frozen chickens were producing a rather unpleasant juice which needed to be contained and got rid of! Nothing wrong with the chooks, just needed sorting!

Anyway all done and on to see Rucheria, then
Pooja

De Silva sisters' Namali and
Sarath

And then a really tired crew descended into the Coral Sands bar for a well earned beer or 2!

Here we have Ed and Nils planning the next blockbuster movie using Lion Beer!

Everyone had worked really hard! Brilliant job done!

 

Friday 1st Jan

Well don't feel so bad today after last night! What a result .........we met at Refresh and were treated to an evening of fun laughter, dancing, weird masks, fire walking and serious fireworks!

Poor Ed was not feeling too chipper and disappeared after a while to have a quick kip before New Year arrived! The rest of us had a hilarious time playing a silly game that Nils bought to the table - it was very funny and involved much hysterical laughter and drinking surprisingly!

We had a great time and Ed arrived back just in time to see the New Year in, in style! The owner had set some enormous fireworks on the beach ending in one that spelt out......
Happy New Year 2010.....very impressive

So to today............
There was a Canadian couple at the next table and we soon discovered that her uncle was Mr Cassidy our ex Chief Fire Officer in Guernsey......what a small world! How many times do I say that?
Annemarie and I set off with Prasad at 8.15am for the New year ceremony at the workshop arriving at 9am - phew thought we were late and the Monk arrived at 9.20! alright for some!
The girls gave us each a picture and a beautiful bunch of flowers - they are so sweet. The workshop was all decorated up for the New Year!
Anyway we had the ceremony and then the usual ceremonial breakfast with lovely sambal and choccie cake.
THEN the serious bit started......the dancing! Sumith and Eresha showed off their foot work - it was a very fast pace - they are so funny and very sweet - a perfect couple. They have announced that they are getting married! I can feel a Cilla moment coming on - might have to go and buy a hat - or maybe another sari! Whoo hoo......exciting!

As we left I took a picture of the ceremonial temple built out of foliage at the top of Chaini's road - apparently they would have been praying for a good future for the world and there would have been 8/9 monks there all night - doing shifts starting at 8.30pm finishing at 6am!

We called into Kantasiri to buy material for scrunchies and other things and try and find some fabric for the new aprons Annemarie wants - but no luck , however , we did have a laugh in the shop as the girls wanted chocolate! I promised to take them chocolate next time!
We went to Galle Fort and bought some bits at the original jewellery shop and then stopped for lunch at Fort Printers which is a small boutique hotel with just 5 rooms very nice - Annemarie was VERY happy with her lunch!

On to Mahesh a dip into another shop quickly to get 2 more unusual bits!
Mahesh had made the stock pin Annemarie wanted so after a few modifications we left him to it!
As we were supposed to be taking Disna to the Dr we called in to collect them, they had already started out, then Nilanthie called to say that the Dr would not be doing a clinic as it was bad luck for people to see a Dr on New Years Day as that would mean they would be visiting the Dr many times during the year!
So we turned around and drove them back home.

 

Saturday 2nd January

Sanjay helped by printing a notice and we put some of Rasika's jewellery on reception - telling the guests about our sale tonight!
Collected the Volunteers and we set off to get gloves and then Roti for lunch. Lettie told us about their evening last night - how they were having hermit crab races on the beach - doesn't sound so funny now but when she was telling us it was well funny!
We arrived to find Damith and the men starting the blocks - after a brief intro we figured it was better to let them get on with it.

Annemarie and I met Rizwan, Murshid's friend outside the hotel and he and his 2 companions followed us to the workshop. He was very nice and encouraging - he seemed to like the quality of Rasika's work and promised to talk with Murshid about supply of stones and designs. He then saw the bags and he asked if we could make some samples, price them up and then deliver them to Beruwalla to the hotel shop. Rizwan has shops in good hotels here in Sri Lanka and also some in the Maldives. We discussed designs and fabrics and I made notes of what he was suggesting.

It all went very well and I am sure Chaini and the staff will have found it a real boost.

(GP Ted has found a new home! He was sitting pretty in amongst the coloured thread in a glass cupboard! I am a little worried that he is going to be too hot in his Guernsey tho!)

After they left we went straight to Galle to get fabric from Barefoot - quick pit stop for lunch with Prasad and then on to Manjari to buy tops and fabric. Next was Kantasiri - I asked Prasad to go and buy me some cake as I had promised the staff I would bring them either chocolate or cake! They were well chuffed with the cake! I think they think I am completely mad! They are right of course!
Back to the hotel to set up in the bar for the jewellery sale. Asanka was bringing Rasika up in Tilly our Tuk so Annemarie and I set out the bags and jewelry just inside the bar. The volunteers arrived and the boys decided to do a bit of marketing and took flyers around all the rooms.

Kirti looking very fetching in a pink hat!

Rasika and Asanka arrived and very quickly we became busy selling 24 pieces! I was over the moon and he had a big grin on his face! Annemarie took the money and he chatted to the customers! We also sold 3 of the bag items but the evening was for the jewelry so I was happy! It was a great opportunity for Rasika as he was able to listen to suggestions from the customers! Things like bracelets on their own would be good! That's good as Annemarie and I have been on the case already!
There will be some designing going on next week!
Gave us all a real kick!!
Prasad had arrived with his brother in law they joined us for a drink and then we went to Prasads for dinner!
Amazing quality curry once again! She is the best cook in Sri Lanka - I say she but it is also Prasad's 3 sisters who help prepare this feast! The group really appreciated it.

The FEAST!

Ed and the Honey for the Coconut Pancakes!

The children!

I broke out the glow sticks and suddenly all the children were glowing with a variety of bracelets, necklaces and even ankle bands! The eldest boy was very creative and made them into a selection of different shapes.
We said our goodbyes and staggered to the van a few stone heavier than when we arrived.
Back to the hotel and I think the volunteers will be ending up at Mambo's again tonight!

 

Sunday 3rd Jan

Collected the volunteers and after buying a spade/shovel and all the jokes about being called Doug you etc as you Ed said actually as he had bought a shovel and NOT a spade Doug-less! Ha ha ha………..
I have never seen someone so coordinated with a shovel before!

Arrived on site to find the men working away.  The boys got stuck in digging the earth.

We left to go and order 6 bikes and then to see Dilini the girl who had had a brain op – we stopped at the garage her brother works in and he told us she was not at home but at private class – saved us a bumpy journey!
We collected the children and Lettie and Soph and went for  little retail therapy – to buy the kids new school shoes, socks and flip flops. 

They returned to Mum in a tuk and we took the girls off to see  the plastic house family……they were all there and we had much fun with bubbles and the teddies once they had been liberated from the Almeria – sideboard!  They had been put in there to keep clean!  I said the children must play with them…….not hide them away!  They were VERY pleased to hear that!

King coconut

Next we went to see if the boys wanted to come for lunch but they decided to see if the blocks were arriving.
They had worked so hard!

The girls all went to Blue Note for lunch and then Annemarie and I left them there and we retuned to the hotel. 
On the way we called in to see Daya – she was full of the joys of spring and said the last 2 x rays she had done on her arthritic knees were clear. Resultamondo!
Damith has said the truck has a broken back brake and is in the garage – so NO blocks this pm – never mind it means all the volunteers can all have a chill!
We had a rest and Dilini came to see me at 4 with her mum and Indika.  She had a brain tumor and we paid for 1/3 of the op, with her family also paying 1/3 and her school he remainder.  She looked really well and said that she had the odd headache when she was on the bus (wouldn’t we all!) but other than that nothing and there was no residual tingling in her left arm any more! Fingers crossed!  It is looking good at the moment.

I gave her some 50+ vitamins too.
The rain started with a vengence.
Had a quick drink in the bar and then headed off to The Imperial for dinner. 
 

 

Monday January 4th 2010

The Imperial last night was great fun - we had a drink on the deck high up over the beach - Ed got his head stuck into my laptop designed some posters for Rasika's jewelry!

A good time was had by all however Annemarie and I left at 12.30 way after when we turn into pumkins - the others have much more staying power than us!
Monday morning and we took the group up to Chandrika's after a roti shop stop!
The girls ate brekkie on the way!

Everyone was feeling a little jaded after the night before but I told them the work would sweat it out!

Poor Soph.....

I needed to do various phone calls and paperwork at the hotel so Prasad took the van to the garage as he needed to get the radiator fixed!
Josh - Lettie's brother arrived at 12 - this was a surprise for Lettie's birthday and I have had to hold the secret well Annemarie and I have! I told the others last night and just hoped they would not blurt it out! Soph was very excited like me - I love surprises like this!
He was looking a little worn but decided he would go on site and help - I nearly passed out with the smell when he took his shoes off! They were straight out on the balcony along with the cheesey socks too - poooooeeeee!
Anyway after a quick wash we piled into a tuk and we arranged that I would go and do some videoing of Lettie and her reaction and Annemarie would bring Josh a little way behind me - Lettie was so funny and was showing me her handiwork when she realized that Josh was there! She became very emotional as we all did! The reaction must have been JUST what Josh wanted! It was perfect - Lovely lovely!

Nils in a very attractive head accessory

I took a picture of Ed and Nils with the builders as they were taking off to Una for the start of their travels.

Josh came back to the hotel with us to change for work and then he went back in the tuk.
I did more paperwork and then Ed called to say they were ready to leave - after a little negociation with the owner of the Curry Bowl they left with Prasad.

Such a shame they are leaving - 2 really nice men who worked hard, were great fun - and I HOPE enjoyed the experience. We will miss them! Thank you Boys!
Nilanthie came to discuss some business and then we had dinner. In the middle I had a call from Naomi Higgs to say they were just up the road in a guest house. They came to the hotel to meet me and we tuk-ed up to The Curry Bowl in search of them! Found them there!
They were all very pleased to see each other and I left them to it!

Bed for me!

 

Tuesday Jan 5th

We collected the group, Ju wanted to come and see the children too.  We arrived at the school and they had come in specially to give us this little performance as school starts on Thursday!
Richard and Naomi arrived in a tuk and we were off!  The usual sweet/funny routines with some standing out as being particularly engaging!

Next was bubbles in the playground

– Lettie managed to get inside the climbing frame and was instantly surrounded by small children all chanting hello at her looking down from the top!

Ice-cream as a freshener and we took off for the site via the Roti shop – Piers’s stomach defiantly rules his day – for someone so slim he can tuck it away!
Raja was very pleased to see Josh and told me that he would be the labour and Josh was the boss!
Sophie managed to grab a wheelbarrow and she was ready for action straight away……..Naomi and Richard got stuck in so Annemarie and I left them to build!

We stopped at Jingles for pretty ribbons and trimmings and by the time we left we were Jingling too – very hot and very busy and the shop is about 3 inches wide!
All good fun!
Next – workshop and we started going through the fabrics we had bought and designing what the girls would make for Rizwan!  We suddenly realized the time and Annemarie took off for Galle to go and see the Guide leader at Southlands College and give her the letters from Claire Ferbrache’s Guide group in Guernsey!  There were some letters for individual girls and the rest she sort of auctioned by putting a number on the back and asking them to guess the number – different – and it created a buzz!  The leader asked if Claire could bring information and details from 3 different countries, Guernsey, Uk and Ireland.  A flag map, about the culture, name of King or Prime Minister, industry, photos and all about their Guides!

Meantime I was still with Chaini sorting all the various bits for Rizwan.
I gave them the tin of Quality Street Chocolates – they were VERY lucky to have them……………they had been in my cupboard in the hotel……nearly too long……….

Letties Handbag was mended and her skirt too in a matter of moments!
Annemarie arrived back and after goodbyes we left for a massage at The Lighthouse.
I called Lettie to find out how they were getting on at 5.30 and they were still on site! VERY impressive!
We all met in the bar and went up the road to the new resturant for Rice and Curry – even then the talk turned to Josh’s ‘shoe smell’ – just kinda follows you along!
Josh’s hair has a mind of its own!..........

 

Wednesday 6th Jan

Nilanthie came to see me at 8am with the remainder bill for the food and school bags and to go thought some others legal bits and bobs we needed to tie up.
Sarath came with a letter about his elder daughter becoming a big girl and asked for help with her party!  I said no I could not fund something like that!
The group got a tuk to the site and Annemarie and I went to see Erandima and her Mum.  Her sister had come to the hotel to see me in the week to ask for electricity and I had not realized it was her, as she was with another lady.
Erandima had had a twenty minute fit this morning and Mum was only just back from the Hospital with her – they had to go on 3 buses to get to the Karapitya!  It must have been very frightening for them all!  She has had 3 over the last years but this was the longest the others lasting about 1/3 minutes.

We started to think about what we could give them to help with the earning potential – heat sealer? Shop? Difficult one……..
The worry is that you give electric and they cannot pay the bill!
Met Nihal at the school and the teachers were in painting and tidying up ready for tomorrow!
We went to see Saman Wickrama – I have know this man for 3 years as he is a father of one of the little girls I am so fond of!

He has asked us for help with mains water as currently he uses the water from a neighbor’s well and it is not so good for drinking!
He had a house built by a local NGO as after Tsunami – he lived beach side – he lost everything.  He was injured in the Tsunami and had an op on his leg – now ok but he then went on to help with the NGO working with them until the project closed 2 years ago.  His wife works at the local PO and takes the 2 month old baby to work with her.
When I asked him what he did before this – he replied – sales – Annemarie had a brainwave and suggested that he might like to be a salesman for Bags of Appeal and Rasika’s jewellry!  What a brilliant idea.  He liked it so we agreed that Annemarie and I would think about it and discuss with him on Friday when we would take him to the workshop to meet Rasika and Chaini – he would have to work on commission only to start with and we would see how he gets on.
We left and went to buy fabric – we stopped at the Coconut shop in Hikka where she told us she bought the fabric from Barefoot in Clombo and it was cheap at 750rupees a meter! I disagreed with her! She mentioned a shop in Gintota.
We stopped at the Government factory at Rathgama where I had a bizarre conversation through the window – as the staff would not let me in as they were doing an audit – I had seen some pink fabric for an order we needed and I was determined we would buy it!  After lengthy negotiation we got into the shop and ended up spending several thousand rupees and the gave us 3 free bags – so from NO NO NO NO to YES YES YES YES in a matter of 20 minutes! It was so funny – but they were not as amused as we were!

We went to the silk shop and bought some lengths of silk for beach throws for Rizwan.  If he doesn’t want them I will take them home!
Indika came to collect the pink fabric from us as he was already in Galle!
Then we realized the shop the lady  from Hikka was taking about was opposite.!  After much knocking and hooting of the van horn we made them hear us and we walked into an Aladins Cave of handloom! BINGO finally we have found what I have been searching for all these months – and years!  Nice lady and her husband told me on the phone he will give us discount! The woman took us through to the factory and the looms all in the middle of making wonderful patterns! 

Annemarie was very taken with one possible for her hotels as she needs bolster cushions!
We purchased several different lengths and took pics of the bolster cushions for good measure.
On to Chandana’s house to give the baby some clothes and also the younger sister something for her school.

Next we went for lunch and then on to see the Mahathuns to check on the bubba – Mrs had been to the clinic and they had taken bloods and urine and the results were due today but when they went the Dr was not there so they will go tomorrow.  I need to know there is not a problem with the baby before we give baby milk.
The children are so sweet and I feel very fond of them all even tho the little girl is new on the scene she has a killer smile….

 she has great fun with her big brothers for entertainment!

Those boys just love bubbles!
We gave her the mossie net we had in the van as the babe had a few bites on her legs! And when I checked the net it was NOT good!
Next we went to buy some more and the little shop in the jungle was charging more than double Manjari prices! So I DID not buy there!
We popped up to the house to find all the men working away and the progress is amazing! 
We drove on to see Ayesha and see how she was.  Granny I have always thought has a sight problem so we piled Granny and the 2 children in the van and took her for a sight test in Hikka and the optician said that she needs reading glasses but that she has possible cateracts too.  We ordered glassed which will be ready tomorrow. 
Little Ayesha was very excited and chattered the whole time – she LOVED the sunglasses – I will have to find some children’s one for her for next trip!
Prasad took them home and we retired exhausted for a drink – we have had a really good and productive day! Annemarie has such a good sense of what we need to do and I love having her on this trip as her input is ALWAYS so valuable and she makes me see things differently and comes up with great ideas and adds so much value to our projects.

 

Thursday 7th Jan

We collected the girls and went to Kalupe for the first day back after the break – it was CHAOS!

There were parents everywhere and apparently they stay with their children until they are happy they are not going to cry!
We left the girls to see if there was anything they could do and then left for the Workshop.
We had a lot to go through with Chaini and she had some samples to show us.
On to Manjari for more fabric and mossie nets!
Then to the Fort to collect from the Asian lady and also Mahesh.
On the way back through we popped in to see Disna and the baby – she told us she was being admitted to Hospital with the baby on Saturday because of its size!
Gave her a mossie net and collected Pasidu and Tharushi for the swimming afternoon.

Then we collected Dilhum and Kavindra, collected the group from the Curry Bowl.  The boys had bought Chandrika’s children down in the tuk from the site when they left work.
All down to the beach at The Coral Sands – Richard had a kite with him and he let Pasidu and Sharnika have a go.
Disna had told us that Pasidu and Tharushi had not eaten that day  - both were very subdued but we gave all the children roti.  Pasidu became even more quiet and said he was cold which is worrying! 
I put Chandrika’s children in a tuk and then after leaving the group back at The Curry Bowl Annemarie and I took the others back home.  On the way I stopped to buy both families a few bits for a meal this evening!
On the way Tharushi told us she had a pain in her tummy!  Oh dear……
Pasidu and Tharushi had bucked up by the time we had a chat with Disna and she told us that Tharushi had a pain in the morning before we collected her.  I am sure it is lack of food.
Mrs Mahathun showed us some vitamins the Dr had given her and a list of foods that the baby must eat!
Nandanee was in reception with her baby who was looking very dopey and not impressed to see me at all!
I gave her some money for the milk and also some for food as she seems to be so thin too!
We tuked up to Moon Beam for dinner and met the others. 

 

Friday 8th January 2009

Damith called to say that the gables were drying today and so there would be no work on the site.  The girls were coming to Galle and the boys would chill on the beach.
Saman our new salesman was late and when I called him he was still at home!  He had not understood when we asked him to come on the motorbike and follow us – he arrived in a tuk at The Curry Bowl and came in the van with us!  Still I am going to give him a chance……..
We stopped at Moderns on the way down and picked up some more fabric and I bought Lettie a sarong for her birthday!
Down to the workshop and I introduced Saman to Chaini and Rasika – they sat and had a chat while we sorted some of the new designs. 
The girls sorted through all the jewelry and found some necklaces, braclets and earrings they liked.  They ordered some and Rasika got going making!
Next we went onto the Fort for me to take Saman to give  a pitch to Mahesh – he didn’t need to try really hard as Mahesh loved it all!  He was really kind and gave Saman some pointers and said he would have 25 pairs of earrings straight away and then would see what he could do ongoing with other designs too.  He said he could supply stones to us!
The others had a drink in the Fort and then we met to go to Barefoot

and then on to Mahesh for them to look too.
Soph bought earrings and a ring and Lettie ordered her name in Singhalese for a necklace.
We walked on the Ramparts and the girls wanted to see the spot where the boys dive of the rock – I told them I would not ever pay them to do it.  As we arrived one of the boys had persuaded some tourist to pay him and he jumped! I was half way down the steps as he did it as I cannot look.  They take a run up and throw themselves to fate!..................gives me goosebumps.
We stopped for lunch at Pedlars and a gawp at the gems there.

The have extended the Café and it is doing very well.  Much better choice of food on the menu now too – all good.  Popped into a few shops on the way to the Government shop.  Lettie fell in love with a bangle that was very expensive and Soph found the anklet like mine that she had hankered after.  We had it adjusted and she now has a little bracelet that she is happy with!
We called in to Modern’s to collect Naomi’s place mats and then into Aditya to see the braclet that Annemarie liked but she had gone off it!
Dropped of the girls at Mambo’s

Back at the hotel Annemarie checked the weather situation in the Uk – it was not good – however on the up side there were sporadic flights landing at Heathrow and also Gatwick too – so fingers crossed!
I was called down to see various people in reception – first a lady who I had seen before – her husband was ill and died earlier this year and she had been left with a baby of nine months and a young son too.  Adjanta told me he knew her and she was struggling.

Next Disna arrived having just been to see the Dr – I spoke to Nilanthie about her – we will work out a little plan for the future.
Next 2 men came with a file about a little boy of 4 year old boy called Ravija who has Lukemia – they need 35,000$ for the whole procedure – bone marrow transplant – it cannot be done in SL so they have taken him to India.  He has had half the procedure and in 18 days needs the other procedure to carry on!
They have raised £9,000 + and need another £12,500 to complete it!

Sometimes this work is really hard and as Annemarie said we are sitting pretty while they suffer so much – hard to get your head around these situations………
Damith came to see me to discuss the house and I agreed to meet him there tomorrow.
Sanjay had found out the details  and prices of the whale watching the others wanted to do for me.
Ate dinner and then did my paperwork to catch up.  Made a list of to do’s for tomorrow.

 

Saturday 9th January

Lots of uncertainty about flights today - will we wont we get into Heathrow - it soon became evident that I would NOT get on the same flight as Annemarie and somehow just knowing that was better than being unsure!

The snow situation in the UK is hard to comprehend when you are in 30%!

We had a lovely swim in sunshine and after breakfast took off to the bike shop and unshopped the bikes to 4 men and Sanjay's sister who will use it for school.

Chandrika's house was next and the men were cutting the roof timbers.

we collected Ayesha and Granny to get her new glasses - she was so sweet as I asked the man to ask her to read - he said ‘she is uneducated so cannot read' I said ‘rubbish' and picked up the newspaper and she read it straight away - she could stop smiling!

Next we collected Lettie and Naomi and took them to Prasad's house for their cookery lesson!

Annemarie and I went to see Prasad's house he is building and then back to see how the Delia's were doing - they had stopped for tea already! They would need to get a wriggle on to feed the other hungry workers on the site!

Annemarie and I went to the workshop and had a great morning going over what was needed and checking what had already been made - it was looking good.

I explained to Chaini that we are being very fussy as Rizwan will want the best!

Back onto the Fort to try and bargain the bracelet down for Lettie! No luck!

Next we stopped for a quick bite to eat and saw a bizarre sight a dog barking at a large iguana. The dog was around 2 feet away from the lizard and he was not fazed at all by the dog - he kept turning his head to one side and the other as if to say ‘do be quiet' - then someone came out with bucket of water and threw it on the dog! He was quiet!.....

We saw Mahesh and Annemarie ordered a new style of stock pin with uncut stones.

Back to Hikkaduwa and to see Nilanthie - she told me about Disna and what the Dr had said - milk and nutritional food is needed on a regular basis. Disna is not producing the milk to make the baby thrive. We will change that! I promise I will do whatever I can to make this happen - this lady is a good Mum and her circumstances are very difficult.

We do have sponsor for the family but it does not cover enough for 5!

We also discussed the boy who has Lukemia and the family have come to me for money. I need to do some research and Nilanthie will help me to do it! We need to make sure the story is sound.

Niroshini came with a beautiful wall hanging that her sister's daughter had made for me! So sweet it is beautiful.............. the girl is 19 and it must have taken her AGES!

I love this little lady she is very special - her little daughter gave me such big hug when I went into reception! Niroshini said that Sahan had been asking where I was! I will go on Monday.

 

Sunday 10th Jan

Annemarie left last night.

Chaini and Indika arrived in Tilly with a card and lovely present for me! So kind and thoughtful.

At 10 - I went with Nilanthie and her brother to see Disna. Nilanthie had been shopping and bought a food parcel, baby milk, a couple of bottles and some milk for Disna to build her up.

She seemed somewhat overwhealmed with the gifts.

Nilanthie explained everything very carefully to her - I wanted her to understand that we would support her but she must put the children before material things - she is a good mum but I am not sure how much support she gets from her husband - he seems weak.

Just as we were making to leave Pasidu grabbed Mum and whispered in her ear - he wanted to come with me to Colombo to see the planes..............awwww bless him!

As we left I took a picture of the start of the build on Lyn's land.

Sudeth went to look at the room for the computers in the school for me - he will contact the man he knows about a reconditioned AC unit for us.

I went back to the hotel and Thivanka was waiting to see me on his way back up to Colombo after seeing his parents in Galle. He is trying to get to England to work but as ever the visa situation is difficult.

Sanjay gave me a bunch of flowers for my special day!

Just rested in the sun for an hour and did some paperwork.

The group arrived with Damith and Raja in tow, closely followed by Prasad.

We all had a drink and then we left for dinner at Refresh. In the night a coconut tree had crashed down and smashed into the beachside Resturant - there was an army of men clearing away all the debris. Luckily it happened in the night and not during dinner and some people could have been injured!

everyone was a little jaded and so all headed for bed not too late.

 

Monday 11th Jan

Letties birthday!

Saman arrived on his bike and we set off with him following to the workshop.

Chaini had organized a welcoming party in honour of my birthday yesterday with ballons and streamers, a lovely cake and each person in the workshop gave me a bunch of flowers! So kind and thoughtful of her!

Rasika had been working on new designs of earrings

I think they will go well!

We discussed the pregnant girls absence and the effect it was having on Dayawathi - Chaini told me that she takes many days off and she has given 2 letters of warning!

I asked her to write a letter telling her that we no longer would employ her she along with the others has just had 2 weeks paid leave which we gave as an extra!

Chaini will look for a quality person to take her place.

We discussed the things for Rizwan and agreed that Indika and Asanka would travel to Berwalla tomorrow on the bike to deliver the samples to the Hotel shop.

Next I went to the Fort to say goodbye to some friends who were leaving. I also tried to get Lettie's bracelet in the Government shop for a better price but STILL he would not move!

Back in Hikka I paid the Optician for the old man's glasses and went on to see Niroshini and her children - this little family are so sweet and such a tight unit!

She told me that Sahan is going to be 16 on the 21st of Jan - I told them I also was 16 yesterday - that produced gales of laughter!

Then I popped into Dayawathi's house and Mum and elder daughter were busy making hats.

Back to the hotel to do another jewelry sale for Rasika. He and Asanka arrived and we set up shop.

Did a healthy trade and sold 23 pieces! I was amazed as I thought it would not be so good the 2nd time around!

The girls arrived and Sanjay produced a cake for Lettie - it was hilarious as it had Margaret written on it!

My how we laughed.........

Then after much more laughter the real one arrived bigger and better!

Packed up the jewelry and then headed off to Moonbeam for dinner - before I got there I spoke with the lady called Anjelika who wants to sponsor an orphan I called Nilanthie and asked her to speak with her about little Ayesha.

At Moonbeam the spirits were high and the birthday girl arrived and was instantly adorned with glow bangles.

Then there was a game of get the pennie in the pot. The pennie of 5 rupee coin is gripped between the knees and dropped into a pot! Very funny and with Shelton's permission they decided to have the race on the bar!

Lettie v Josh and Soph v Naomi

We adjourned to Mambos and after a drink and a game of table tennis I left them to it! Phew too old for this lark but it was fun..... I hope Lettie enjoyed it!

 

Tuesday 12th Jan

Beautiful day - hard to think of snow!

I had an hour in the sun but several phone calls from Chaini discussing about the samples and from Nilanthie to say we were channeled tonight for the Dr and Gayan's brother.

Monika arrived and it was good to see her looking so well after her heart scare! I had a quick chat with her and her friend and then started to have a sort out getting ready for the off tomorrow.

Sudeth called to say the AC technician was in reception and he needed an advance so he could buy the unit in Colombo and then fix it on Friday.

I also asked him to find out about telephone lines for the room too.

Prasad called to say that the man at the bike shop has sold my bike! He is such a pain - I have persevered with him until now. He has actually sold the bike I have paid for and replaced it with a cheaper version. I told him on the phone that he is a bad man and a crook! He just laughed at me and told me I ordered this one! He is impossible - he already sold my first one and I was cross then! I have told Prasad to get the money back and tell him that I will never buy another bike from him, as he is not honest.

He collected me and we went to buy a heat sealer, bags, scales and then curry powder, chili powder, chili pieces and tea. I also bought some bins to keep the stock in.

Next we bought a bike from the shop in the village - after saying I was in a hurry - he had a bike ready - but it wasn't as the tyre was flat!

Anyway we managed and then took the whole lot to Erandima's family.

Big sis with her bike for school

Heat Sealer and spices and scales etc

Mossie net

the serious little neighbours!

All seemed thrilled with their new bits and bobs and Erandima wanted to be in the photo - sometimes she doesn't want to be!

Nilanthie called to say she had appointments for Nilmini's son Kasun and Gayans brother tonight at Hospital.

I sent Prasad to tell Nilmini and I called Sandamali to tell her.

Prasad arrived at 4.50pm with Nilanthie and we drove down to Galle to the newly refurbished Southern Hospital - and very smart it is too!

First we saw a very nice lady Dr who saw Kasun and said that she would like to refer him to the surgeon Andree Fernando to have the wound in his heel cut open and cleaned out. Poor Kasun was born with a congenital condition and he has a lesion on his spine, which has affected his mobility and meant that he has no feeling in his right leg. He has trodden on something, which he did not feel and he has continued to walk on it and it has become horribly infected now.

Next we took Eshan, Nilmini's son to see Dr Ariyananda a Specialist Physician - I explained that I was concerned about his weight. Dr agreed and then told me he was displaying signs of Marfan's Syndrome and he wanted to run a raft of tests - so he had an x ray on his heart, blood test and ECG. Meanwhile Kasun was going for blood test's and x ray of his heel. Strong expensive antibiotics were prescribed for Kasun by Dr Fernando, who confirmed that he would NOT operate but hope the AB's cleared up the infection. He instructed Kasun not to put weight on this foot at least for the duration of the drugs.

Kasun then had an x ray on his heel and he too had bloods taken. He was also booked for a scan of his kidneys as he was having trouble with urine leakage too.

How I would have managed with out Nilanthie I do not know as the instructions were so complicated and she knew just when to pay and where and when not to pay!

Anyway 3 long hours later we all fell out of the Hospital and left Sandamali and Gayan buying the antibiotics!

They would never have afforded these drugs with out our help - they were 1,200 rupees PER DAY for the average man on the street - this would feed a person for around 6 days - so expensive!

Both the male Dr's were very kind and Dr Fernando gave me a refund on the channel price as he said as I was helping his fellow countrymen the least he could do was not charge me. He said he would do what ever he could to help me with sick children!

I got back to the hotel at 8.45 exhausted!

 

Wednesday 13th jan

The last day and so much to do - I collected Soph and Lettie and we went off to see the Mahathuns

There was a baby clinic going on in the house 2 away - very convenient! And very busy - we caused quite a stir!

Gave her the other mosquito net for the other bed.

Next we went to the workshop to say goodbye and for me to give Chaini the money for the ceiling at the school and collected what I need to take home too. Next we bought a wheelchair in Galle and then onto the Fort to get Letties bracelet and her pendant from Mahesh.

Stopped for a quick coffee shake and then stopped at Daya's shop on the way through.

Said goodbye to Richard and Naomi at The Curry Bowl. Nilanthie called and asked us to meet her at Rathgama Junction as she wanted to take us to see the boy who needed the wheelchair.

First we collected Piers and went to the site to say goodbyes and get pictures of the house.

He lives in her village and she knows the family. The boy is 14 and called Pradeep - the medical notes were very confusing but I think he has Cerebral Palsy and

Cystic Fibrosis - bless him he desperately wants to attend school. He was wheezing badly and it seems they cannot afford the inhaler - I said we would pay for it and after some discussion we will also pay for tuk to take him to school. He goes when his mother can afford a tuk but not otherwise. He showed us his books and he can draw really well and also do sums.

I can support with crayons and the necessary inhalers etc and we will also take him to the specialist next time I come and see if there is anything we can do for the wheezing. He got really upset when he thought he would have to have injections - this in turn upset all of us.

Nilanthie quickly explained that we were there to help and not to make him frightened. He calmed and when we sat him in the wheelchair he seemed to understand we wanted just to help him. His mother is so motivated to make his life better and he has a determination to study - what a fantastic attitude!

Then it was on to Dordanduwa to see little 4 year old Ravija who has Lukemia and has been in India for the 1st part of treatment and they are trying to find the money for the rest of the treatment. I don't know the exact amount yet but will find out later tonight.

He needs a bone marrow transplant and they have run all the tests so far. He came back to Sri Lanka 4 days ago and was admitted to a hospital Colombo with severe vomiting. They arrived back home this afternoon.

I need to do more homework on this one and I have promised them I will look at all the paperwork but will not promise anything at this stage.

These types of cases are so difficult because as a mother my maternal instinct kicks in - and you just think if it was YOU in that situation! You could weep.

Took Sophie's ring back to the shop as the stone was broken - he promised to replace it! And deliver to the Hotel by 7pm.

I went on to the Pre-school to see the ceiling in our new computer room! Very smart it was too! Agreed with Nihal to glass over the open decoration at the top of the windows.

There was a maths class going on in the top room with all students that used to be at the Pre school!

Back to the hotel to sort out my bill and do the final packing!

Time to go home - to snow I think! Oh dear a shock in the change of temp!