It was an early start – which is very much the norm, on
Ocean Stars trips. So we found ourselves, Dan, Dilanee and myself, arriving in
Yatiyanthota in central Sri Lanka, around 9 30am. We were met by Rev Rohitha
and other Methodist church leaders and taken inside the church to meet the
teacher and the 6 children who presently attend the local church pre school.
Our purpose for the visit was to assess with the minister and his team whether
or not Ost could support in developing preschool provision for the local
children.
I enjoyed a great morning with the children – they settled
quickly and responded well to the activities I introduced. Six children and a
teacher in a very small room. They have tables and chairs to sit on but no
other resources at all. There are 20 children looking to join the pre school in
January so there is need for a better location for them.
Dan and Dilanee spent the time meeting with the Methodist
team but the most and challenging part of the day came later. We always try to build
our awareness of the backgrounds of our children so we travelled with the
Methodist team into a rubber plantation estate close to Yatiyanthota, to meet
some of the families and see for ourselves how they live. It was really interesting to see the workers
on the estate drawing the sap from the rubber trees and to learn a little about
the rubber making process. But it is
difficult to see how these people have to live.
The first house we visited was one of the better ones on the estate –
solid, well built. It houses 9 people living in 2 rooms. And behind it we found one which is typical
of many on the estate. Basically it
consisted of 2 very small and dark rooms and is home to a family of 4. It
looked as if it could fall down any day!
The people were lovely but it’s hard to see them living in these places.
So lots for us to think and talk about which kept us all occupied
on the bumpy tuk tuk ride back to Sudah and our bus. Bit like a ride at Alton Towers.
As always with Ost, there’s lots to do ….on to the next
adventure!
Maureen
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