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.