On a Mission

Talk about travel and most people will have heard of Phileas Fogg. The main fictional character in the 1873 Jules Verne novel Around the World in Eighty Days. Having recently returned from a month long trip to Sri Lanka, I can say without a shadow of a doubt most of those eighty days would've been taken up travelling across this tiny Island known as the ‘Jewel Box of the Indian Ocean’.

Orange Coconuts for Drinking

Sri Lanka is similar in size to Ireland but the condition of the roads, the volume of the traffic and the laid back attitude of the Sri Lankan people means that getting around takes a sturdy car, cushioned seats and patience…lots of patience!

We had no idea of any of this, when teacher, Helen O’Brien from Ellon Academy asked us to present some much needed equipment to Pelene Rajiragnana M.Vat School. So we accepted eagerly and having visited the school, met the pupils and been welcomed by the teachers.. I'm glad we did.
It took us over six hours of travelling from Negombo to Weligama with only one stop on the way to tour a turtle sanctuary. The West coastline of Sri Lanka is tropical. Crystal blue waters foam onto golden sandy beaches and are framed by the tall slim trunks of numerous coconut trees.

One Day Old Turtles

Despite this, we travelled in relative silence, as the lush scenery did little to mask the rows upon rows of houses raised to the ground by the Asian tsunami which devastated the Island on the 26th December 2004 killed over 40000 people. Peppered in between the ruins of building where graves. Miles and miles of the same views, leaving a sobering reminder of how quickly lives and families can be changed and how long the effects can be felt. We spoke so several people, including our driver who recounted their memories of that day. Stories of loss, tragedy and the human spirit at its best.

We were welcome by Mr Kumar the head teacher and treated to a tour of the classrooms, spanning children from grade four up to grade fourteen. Every class greeted us with bright curious faces and a hearty ‘Ayubowan’ which literally translated means ‘welcome, I wish you long life’. Some of the older children were glad to talk with us. Although I think our Scottish accents made conversations more challenging.

Previous support donated by Ellon Academy had provided the school with toilet facilities for both the teachers and pupils. A facility we were proudly shown and of which we were invited to take photos. A humbling experience to see such pride in a commodity that we take for granted several times in a day.

Toilets Donated by Ellon Academy

Weligama was one of the worst affected areas on the Island and has been lucky to receive aid from around the globe. The school has now been equipped with a science and music room and recently the children and teachers have been working hard to create and maintain a small garden area which they use to grown food as part of their environmental studies.

School Environment Garden

We rounded off our tour with an invitation to join the staff in enjoying a cup of tea with an array of traditional sweet snacks. During which time the older pupils were assembled to see the presentation of much needed music equipment. Matthew offered a short speech, telling them that we were visiting Sri Lanka to teach English at a school in Kochicade and then presented the music stand, microphone and lectern from Ellon Academy to the head pupil who accepted the donation on behalf of his fellow pupils and school.

Presentation

As the celebratory songs died down, two young girls turned to me and said ‘we wish you were teaching at our school’… and I thought, so many children so few volunteers.

Speaking English is a very important and highly regarded skill and a must to get a decent job. The children particularly love learning slang phrases like ‘see you later’ or ‘hi’. Such a little time and effort can make the world of difference to these children.