Dancing and Singing

Videos of the girls dancing and singing:

1. Punchi Punchi Samanalune (older sisters version)

http://youtu.be/NeYslFL0w7g


2. Bimbarak Senaga (older sisters version)

http://youtu.be/W6EkkyGuAj8


3. Punchi Punchi Samanalune (younger sisters version)

http://youtu.be/V_zEg-Gbbdo


4. Ticki Tickiri Tkiri Sina (Ravihari solo dance)

http://youtu.be/jXH_6p6WMAw


5. Learning English through songs (How are you, My eyes, Days of the week)

http://youtu.be/gyYR5HeN91k

Coming back, Reflection

I am glad to see my family again. I am staying in Jakarta for one week and will go back to Melbourne soon. I share my experiences and tell my parents about letters from the girls. My mother was touched and cried. I feel glad that my parents support my decision going on a volunteer even though they really concern about my health and safety at first. But in the end after discussing and arguing with them, they emotionally and financially support me to help these kids. They are the ones who keep reminding me to buy gifts for the girls, the auntie and uncle in the Children’s Home. They are the ones who ask me to treat these kids to a nice pizza feast. I feel blessed to be born this way.

Now my task is to send them a letter and print out all the photos that I have taken and send these photos to them as soon as possible. They do not have emails and do not get access to internet so I have to send these via post.

 If you like challenges and want to prove yourself to the greatest limit, I encourage you to go for a volunteer. But beware of the unexpected, things won’t work or happen according to your will. You have to adapt to their culture, lifestyle and be ready that you might get gastroenteritis or some diseases or outbreaks that are endemic in the areas (especially in developing countries) that you are working at.

For me this is a life changing experience. By the end of this volunteer, I learn about a number of things. I challenge myself to step out of my comfort zone, adapting with different cultures, work ethics and environment. I struggled at first but I have faith and am confident I can get this through. My stay in the Children’s Home is only 5 weeks, nevertheless I have achieved so much: motivate and encourage them to love English, help them to memorise vocabs easily through various means such as songs and drawings, give them lots of love and care, helping them with all I can. This experience has increased my communication skills as I have to handle each of them differently since they have different personalities. It further trains my leadership such as guiding the kids and being an exemplar for them, arranging various kinds of activities, and helping them to solve various problems. I have gained more confidence and becoming more optimistic after going through challenges, cultural shock and the unexpected. In addition I meet various interns from different parts of the world, we share our experiences and learn about their cultures.

These kids can not buy anything they wanted, some of them are orphans, and most of them could not meet their parents often. They are restricted to be involved in any kind of romantic relationships, prohibited to watch movies, forbidden to go outside their shelter except schools. They do a lot of rough works: cutting trees, cleaning houses and gardens, a lot of washings. But every day they smile brightly and greet me in the morning and before I sleep at night. Each of them is independent and they cherish their life. This is one of the things that in my opinion is crucial for us to reflect upon. You and me, we have to learn from these kids. Be blessed, live your life to the fullest, and have a faith in what you believe in.

I believe in Jesus and He is my father, my mother, my best friend; my everything. My every breath and flesh is His. A wonderful, amazing and extraordinary life is His blessing. It is my belief to return all these to my surroundings and do help them with the best of my ability.

Buying souvenirs in Colombo (15th February 2013)

Interns from Egypt arrange a trip around Colombo from 10am in the morning till late evening so I can shop and buy some souvenirs. They bring me to various kind of interesting places which sell hand- made art and craft, various kinds of tea (Sri Lanka is proud of their tea industry!), scented soaps and candles, etc. Today is a heaven for me that I get to buy various types of teas: dry leaves, organic leaves, powdered ones, etc. Amongst them, the organic green tea leaves is my all time favourite. And I also bought the ‘silver tips’ which is the finest tea type in Sri Lanka. I am a tea addict and I really can not wait to taste them once I reach home! J

The Egyptian interns gave me a letter and a memento from Egypt. I am really glad and blessed that I meet a lot of nice people from various parts of the world. Around 10 pm my TN manager came to the intern house to send me off since my flight is on 16^th at 1.30 am. I gave him some small gift for his parents as I remember that they served me some meals during my first day in Sri Lanka. I really appreciate their kindness. When I ride the taxi, I was flabbergasted that he shed some tears. With a flustered tone I asked him why did he cry, and he said that he felt sad that I was about to leave; I am a nice and good girl who did not complain at all about the project. I admit that I am a calm and reserved type of a person, not high tempered and a very logical mind when facing any kind of challenges. These aid me to make a wiser decision and to solve problems better. I saw myself as a not-so-lucky intern amongst all others, but again I feel grateful that I meet very nice people who will always stay in my heart, I am safe, never starving, and loved by people around me.

with Emma from China

Farida, me, Malith (TN Manager), Hend, Omar

Valentine’s Day, Depart to Colombo (14th February 2013)

I went to the Temple in the early morning. I place all the gifts, letters and chocolates that I prepare for them on their beds. We then take lots of pictures together. I receive some letters, dolls, red and yellow roses. In their letters, they all ask me to visit them again and send them a letter frequently. They feel happy during my stay as I use various ways to teach them English to make learning more interactive and they really love my drawings. They thank me for being an English teacher, an Art teacher, a sister and a best friend. Some of them cry and yes I did shed some tears too. Most of the kids arrive home at 2pm and they told me not to leave today but tomorrow instead. I depart from Anuradhapura to Colombo by 2.45 pm train, with a heavy heart. I wanted to stay a bit longer with them, but I have another task and duty as a student. I did not realize that time flies past swiftly for these past 5 weeks and I am going to go back to my normal life without these kids. Without their morning and night greetings, without them calling my Sri Lankan name ‘Tharu’, without them keep offering me various kinds of new food that seem so mesmerizing in my eyes, without them teaching me new words in Sinhala, and especially without these kids asking me to draw something for them all the time. Girls, I will miss you and you will stay in my heart forever. Thank you so much for being my source of light, so that I have the privilege to be a Tharu (meaning: Star) for you all.

The girls room

they love to pose!

we take too many shots today

with Ruwani, Nadeeka and Sanduni respectively

Sanduni

I reached Colombo fort station after a 5- hours train journey. I felt very exhausted and dizzy. I felt so drained and finally arriving the intern house. This time I stayed with other Egyptian interns. They are very nice, friendly and welcoming. We share some of our experiences and they also struggled during the first few days of their stay in Sri Lanka, but fortunately all resolved pretty quick in three days time.

Buying gift, Sports, Letters, Recording (13th February 2013)

I went to The Lover’s shop to buy some bags for Amara, Madam, a pair of shoes for Kitchen Auntie and a red tie for Sir Rajapaksha. To celebrate tomorrow’s Valentine’s Day I also buy chocolates for all the girls and all the aunt and uncle in Sarana.

At night I record the younger girls dancing and one of the girl did a Solo. They are very cute and adorable!

these adorable kids

English Exercises, Dance recording (12th February 2013)

I introduce some of the grammar usage, the use of before after, introducing weather, and letter writing. In the evening, the older sisters who are good at dancing (Sanduni, Saumia, Sashini, Depeeka, Hanzi, Big Tanuja) are dancing to 2 songs. And they dance a freestyle to Hindi songs.

Sashini, Saumia, Sanduni, Dipika, Hanzi, Tanuja

Sashini, Tanuja, Saumia, Dipika, Sanduni, Hanzi

CNY, Pizza treat (10th February 2013)

Early morning I was served ginger biscuits about 10 pieces of them, followed by Sri Lankan noodle dishes and 3 large ball of triposha. A large feast indeed! I call my family for saying a Happy Chinese New Year. It is sad I can’t celebrate it with my family. I have to miss my CNY without any Chinese food, red envelope (given by married couples to non- married ones) and all other Chinese treats.