The centre is officially open for business

Yesterday at 9.30 (an auspicious time) we went to the new centre to have an opening ceremony. The three teachers; Sister, Mrs V and Rosemary were there, as well as some of the children who didn’t have school, a few of the trustees for Asha Foundation, the architect and the builders. We did the boiling of the milk, a tradition when you move into a new house, we had to wait a while before the milk actually boiled over. Then we had a few hymns and prayers before lighting a traditional lamp. Everybody ate kiribath (milk rice), a meal eaten on special occasions, and one of the local women brought some lovely home-made ginger tea and sweets. It was a very nice ceremony and hopefully the children will be able to move in there soon.

We went back to Athidiya today for a special needs programme that happens in the centre. Some of the teachers from RCCI, a special needs school we work with, go to Athidiya every other Saturday to work with some of the special needs kids there. Sister also has what she calls a life education class on a Saturday with the kids that go to her lessons during the week, and when we arrived both groups had merged together and everyone was singing and dancing. After watching a couple of the inevitable performances we left the RCCI teachers with the special needs kids in the old centre and took the rest of the kids to the new centre. There, they played lots of running around games that could never have been attempted in the old building which was lovely to watch.

Hi, this is Shyla.
Yesterday we went to Athidiya with Harpo’s team to conduct the interviews for the Job Training Project. 12 young people turned up, so not as many as we were hoping for but it was a good start at only 2 days notice. Before doing the interviews the team talked to the young people about what the course will contain and explained what a great opportunity this is. They then did the interviews fairly casually, just taking each one to the side. The team were very encouraging to all the young people, taking every opportunity to give positive feedback. They have taken on 7 of the 12 interviewed because the others were too young, which means we still have 8 more to find. Three of them are girls, so we definitely need some more, but of course Sister has the successful applicants recruiting others.

This morning I went to the Koralawella school to find out some things to pass on to Mayespark School in Redbridge which is linking with it. As I arrived the whole school was outside and lined up, singing the school anthem accompanied by their band. I did a few things with the kids and then rushed back to meet Anita with Sister and Dad. Anita is a psychologist working with Samuthana a charity that deals with trauma. Anita and her colleague Laura, are interested in the drugs problem in Athidiya and want to talk with Sister to see if there is anything they could help with.
While Dad went off to have a meeting in RCCI, a special needs school we work with, Sister and I went to meet 2 of the girls who will be on the Job Training Project. I took the video camera and asked questions about their lives and why they want to do the Job Training. Both girls Fathers are drug users, one of them has a Father in prison, the other ones Mother is in prison. As I walked around Athidiya with Sister we met a few people who had recently left prison for taking or selling drugs, as well as several drug addicts who Sister would tell to go to the doctor or search their pockets. It just shows what a massive problem it is in the area. In fact a few days ago we saw 2 men who had been caught selling drugs being marched down the street by soldiers as members of the community watched, vaguely interested, and then told us it happens all the time.

Tomorrow we are having the opening ceremony for the building, the ground floor is almost done and just needs a few finishing touches before we can start using it.

we came , we saw the building, we celebrated

Shyla and I arrived on Saturday evening , unfortunately our baggage didn’t! So on the way to Anukshies (the relatives where we were staying)we made a couple of quick stops for essential items . I like to think I can travel light but turning up with nothing maybe taking it a bit far.
All good now as the bags arrived by the following morning . So a quick dash across Colombo to the airport , which made for a good excuse to spend a couple of hours at Barefoot café listen to jazz.
We then had a look a the new community building going up in the heart of Athidya. Ground floor nearly done, we are planning a soft opening on Friday after which the building can be used.
Today, Monday, has been a fantastic day. WE picked up Sister C and the 3 of us met with Harpo’s team who will be delivering the training for the employment project.
In case you don’t know Asha was chosen as one of the organisations that will be supported by the Girl Effect during 2012.Theproject is a three month training programme which will prepare delegates for work within the Restaurant/hotel sector. Our partner is Harpo’s restaurants which in this field is tough tobeat. Harpo runs some top class establishments and was voted the top entrepreneur within Sri Lanka
Anyway, we met Hiran , Asoka , Anoja and Dr Egerton who seemed to have it all sorted and pretty much ready to roll, which was very reassuring. So it all happens of Wed’s when prospective delegates will come to the Asha Centre for a short presentation – motivational talk-and an interview . 15-20 will be chosen to start the course in February. All very exciting!!
From there Shyla and Sister C went to Punykumi school , which is the local school to many of the children in Athidya. Shyla wanted the principal to know about the training course as she would have good contacts and know a whole bunch of young people who failed to get their ‘o’ levels. They then did a walk about in Athidya and spread the message to the young people loitering on street corners.
Meanwhile, I had the privilege of visiting Samutthana and meeting up with Anita ( who’s a UK trained psychologist who is working in SL with until April/May) and the Exec Director Dushy Parakrama. What amazing people! Samutthana run a whole load of training & workshops covering counselling skills , phycology, promoting good mental health. We discussed the possibilities of linking in on the work with those with a disability and also additions. We had some elevating and fruitful discussions… I feel convenient that we will be linking in and building some partnership work with them in the future.
Looking forward to another fun filled day tomorrow.
Steve & Shyla