Monday March 28^th.

Marvellous! It’s nothing short of wonderful.

Kiran and Buvana had a packed day running sessions today, firstly at the school with a group of year 11’s. I’m not sure they really wanted to engage and probably thought they would have an easy hour & half staring into space or having a laugh with their mates. Not a chance!!

B &K led an interactive and participatory session on the different food groups and what they do is in our bodies. At the end of the sessions we had 3 fantastic, colourful posters of different foods and comments on each food group all produced by the young people and then in groups presented back to the class. The young people participated really well and did some great work.

After lunch onto Asha Centre @Athidiya where 20 mothers from zone 6 ( the particularly tough part) congregated and B & K led them once again through the food groups and answered a host of questions , demystifying the tropic and correcting the myths that have grown up around particular foods, especially when related to certain health conditions such as diabetes , one elderly women thought she shouldn’t eat protein and another women thought you should cut out all carbs if you have diabetes .B& K in they respectful , non- judgemental , yet clear way presented clear& concise information.

This session finished at 3.30 and it was a quick dash back to the school to run that session again with a group of 15 women form another very challenging area adjacent to the school. WE have wanted to do something for those in this area for some time but nothing has really come off. The houses are very basic built like tombs with no windows just the door way for ventilation and light and tiny of course, Sanitation is less then basic, plus Drug addiction is major issue. It’s not high end!! So to be able to do a session with 15 women from this patch is just great! It feels like a seed has finally been sown.

As I say, truly marvellous

Tuesday 29^th March

Today was a similar programme to yesterday except we visited Beulah at Soill. This a children’s day care centre, but in attrition to the children’s work she also runs women’s groups and credit unions. Good to see how the work is going on.

The other big news of the day Sri Lanka beat New Zealand.

PS. I've heard that some of you have been trying to respond but cant for some strange reason. please feel free to send to asha email info@ashatrust.co.uk

In the Deep End

Friday 24^th.

Buvana, Kiran and I arrived in country save and sound. After setting in to our respective accommodation B & K in a guest hse, I'm with family) we met Sister Concepta ( the inspirational nun who heads up the work in Athidiya) , Mrs Vallapulla and Rosmary at the centre where we were honoured with garlands and a wonderful welcome speech delivered by one of the children. Sis C took us on a short tour of Athidiya where B & K asked a number of the local women about their diets, usual foods and where they purchase their food. It became clear that all only eat one good meal a day at best and at times even this is a struggle.

For dinner we went to a cafe/restaurant that have the most wonderful Kiri Appa (milk hoppers) which a kind pancake but crispy on the outside and stodgy in the middle. Buvana was reminiscing on how she had used to have Kiri Appa for breakfast cooked by her grandmother. so dinner was a big success.

Sat 25^th

Attended the ‘life education’ session that Sister C runs each Saturday. Buvana & Kiran were thrown in the deep end by being asked to deliver a session on food & health. After a quick flurry of activity searching for paper and colouring pencils and using Sis C as interpretor they delivered an impromptu session of the 5 food groups. Of course they did very well but the more important thing was the massive learning crave that took place, both in the delivery as well as a greater understanding of the issues. As a result they are a lot more confident about delivering the sessions next week. These sessions will take place in the school during the morning with yrs 10 & 11, sisters centre in the afternoon ,followed by another session at the school for some of the women for a very challenging patch adjacent to the school.

Tomorrow will be an easy day , Kiran wants to visit the street market at Petta and I’m sure we will find ourselves at Odel’s (Colombo’s answer to John Lewis) at some point. Any orders?