DAY 6

After an interesting night of near death experiences (big prank played on Jake), we had an early start with our second day of teaching. After breakfast, bread, sausages and bananas, the group was split into the pre-school and secondary school group.

Pre-School:

The students who were in the pre-school group were Peter, James, Jack, Fiona, Sameena, Lavin and Amy. The theme was ‘The Gruffalo’ so we took masks, balloons and a copy of the book. Peter and James were lucky enough to travel in a tuk tuk (which was amazing) and the rest took a mini bus. We were greeted with happy waving children who couldn’t believe we were there. We played games, sang songs and gave gifts to the children. The group thoroughly enjoyed this once in a lifetime experience.

Secondary School:

The students who continued working at the secondary school were Maddy, Ria, Lucy, Imogen, Niamh, Felix, Jake and Ryan. During the children’s assembly we sang ‘He’s got the whole world in his hands’ and our national anthem. The children rushed to class and we all stuck in with the lessons. Though they were the same as yesterday, we were met with plenty of new challenges. The school’s football team was presented with football kits donated by Fleet Spurs and the whole team was thrilled! Once again, we were swarmed with children, shaking hands and giving them high fives. It was great to see the children again and to know that some remembered us. Many of us have now got the Sri Lankan national anthem in our heads as we have asked to hear it so many times!

We spent a short time shopping in Batticoloa town which included the girls looking at saris and the boys standing outside! It was good to experience the atmosphere of a Sri Lankan town and all of the shop. Imogen an Niamh stocked up on packets of Bombay mix!

For dinner we visited families who take part in the project to help the D and D community and the sponsored families in Batticoloa. We were introduced to some of the girls that are learning English and found out about their hobbies and schools. Some had a conversation which included Harry Potter and Rpbert Pattinson. We were surprised to see how much we have in common with some of them. We played games, sang songs and were served dinner. We gave the children toys and were privileged to see the joy on their faces. All our moods were lightened when the presidents and leaders of each community were so happy to see us. We were told many times about how important this was to them but we never really understood how much it really affected us.

Tomorrow is the secondary school’s sports day which means no lessons and a lie in! Some of us are taking part in some of the athletics which is nerve-racking as they are not used to the heat. We are all now resting for a busy day that awaits tomorrow.