Update from the school

Working at the school this week has been highly enjoyable, as ever – the children are so pleased to see us, enthusiastic and energetic and a bit hard to manage at times. I have been popping into classes threatening them that if they don’t listen to the team, we’ll go to other classes tomorrow... Their faces drop so dramatically that I feel really guilty – especially as we have no intention of carrying out the threat. Angeline and Jane have been showing the rest of us up by doing gorgeous work on Elmer (the multi-coloured elephant). We’ve also been doing Handa’s Surprise (lots of discussions about fruit and animals) and of course the Hungry Caterpillar – always a hit. With the Secondary pupils we’ve been discussing time, families and food.
Some things at the school have definitely improved. A number of classrooms have attractive displays – a rarity in previous years – and the science teacher is enjoying the equipment Eston Park School provided.
Yesterday the Head asked me to “advise” one of the Year 8 girls. Her attendance has been poor and the Head has visited the home several times to encourage this bright girl to come to school. Somehow, she thinks that if I speak to her, things will improve. So I did as I was asked. It turns out Aksha lives with her grandmother – and she does not come to school when her grandmother does not have enough money for food. On those days Aksha sells fish to bring in some money. The Head pleaded with her to let her know when this happens, as she will provide the food that day – but to be honest I am not sure this is a long-term solution. Asha Trust provides a meal at the school for pupils, but we don’t offer it to grandmothers!

We’ve also been to the Asha Centre in the afternoons. On the first day, there were 42 children in that tiny space – no bigger than a small front room – and we were all amazed at how well they worked despite the extraordinarily cramped conditions. The children at the Centre are from the same community as the pupils at the school, but they have the advantage of coming to the afterschool club and Saturday school, and getting all the input from Sister and the team. They have learned to share, to take turns, to co-operate – things the school pupils find quite hard. And of course they have daily English / Singhalese / Maths help. Many still struggle, but the difference between the two groups is stark , despite the Centre children living in the most challenging housing in the area. Its great that once the new community centre is complete, Sister and the team will be able to work with even more of these children.

Radhika

Emily, 14, on her first impressions

This is the very first time I have ever got involved in charity work overseas or in England .I have met the lovely team who put so much time and effort in to helping the Sri Lankan community. I have always been encouraged to share and give at home since an early age but I didn’t realise why that is so important until now. In Britain some education is really taken for granted. I have so far been to the local school and met lots of children. I have found so many similarities between the UK children and Sri Lankan children despite the severe poverty. We went to the centre sister runs and we were all welcomed with songs in English. I found it very encouraging and it made me understand why the English language is quite important. At the school it was very different but the children were helpful and most of them learnt a lot of English conversation. We visited the land and it was only then I noticed most of the poverty. The housing was better than before but it was so basic. The river was filled with pollution, rubbish and was non drinkable. This is a major issue. The land was the foundations for a new building for the disabled in the community. I just find it so inspiring to see so many lives changed by the work done here in Sri Lanka but also hope the world does see these conditions through open eyes.