I wish everybody in the world could do this trip. I wish everybody in the world could get the opportunity to see poverty; to understand why it must be eradicated. I wish everybody in the world could see how the littlest things can mean so much, and that that could be done by them.
I have learned so, so much from the last few weeks. I've never felt so moved, compelled to do something. I hope with all my heart that myself, and the rest of the volunteers, keep what we've seen in Sri Lanka in our minds for as long as we can, so that we can't rest until we act. Normal life must resume but Athidiya and the children at Sri Punikami shouldn't just occupy a small corner of our minds; the experience we've had and the opportunity we've been given has ignited the spark, now we just need to blaze into action! (Or, in other words, to go, go, go, there's no stopping us!)
I can't remember my expectations before our plane took off now, simply because the reality far exceeded all of them. Walking around Athidiya and the days we spent working were some the most moving experiences of my life and I feel so different for having been given them. Why worry about that pair of shoes you couldn't get in your size if you know, somewhere in the world, that someone can't access an education because they can't afford a pair of shoes that cost a fraction of the price. I'm not suggesting I'm flying back to England to live a frugal life, wearing hemp and only washing every other day to save the water, but it definitely makes you think. The chance we've had to challenge our priorities, to see what really matters and, most importantly, to see how we- as students, as young people, as future voters and leaders- can contribute to making the world a better place, was truly special.
And we've done it all whilst having such great fun! From seeing the elephants at Uda Walawe to twilight swimming Hikkaduwa we've had the chance to see two sides of the country, a valuable insight craftily designed to instil a love for the country alongside the desire to help it.
I honestly don't believe I am articulated (ah, how we laughed) enough to translate how I feel, sitting here now about return home, into words. But I know that I feel that I've been part of something incredibly special; I feel so proud to have been here, to have worked alongside everybody else and to have had an impact with the work we've done. I know that I never will, nor want, to forget what I saw in Athidiya and sincerely hope that impacts upon my future life. I also know that so much of this is down to Steve and Radhika. I'm sure they would be absolutely delighted for me to sing their praises on their own blog but, quite simply, I think they're amazing. I want to thank them, not just for this opportunity, but for everything they do and everything they will continue to do- they're Sister Concepta's in their own rights!
What this trip has done is to bring a third dimension to poverty and need, to make it real. It's no longer an abstract, generic 'lets fight poverty!' but a personalised and fierce desire to actually improve the lives of the people I've met and others like them. Upon giving us a present, a little boy's teacher asked him why he had done so and he replied 'because it was the happiest I'd ever been'.
For me, that says it all.
Until next time,
Katherine
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