For Goonhavern

The nursery school opposite pinky, the paper is supposed to say HELLO GOONHAVERN but it doesn't show very well. I tried.

Leaving Pinky

The things I have left behind, amazing what you accumulate in a year.

For vols, some people have all their stuff boxed up and returned to the UK. That can be expensive and usually goes by ship so takes a while. Most just do what I did and give it to new volunteers, local staff or friends. It will disappear and be put to good use. I had acquired a lot of things and made life quite comfortable but it had to stay behind. Think of your home comforts as disposable as ultimately that is what they may be.

My neighbours and their grandson, he always waves hello and goodbye. They have kept me in coconuts, mango, jack fruit, tambeli, and assorted foods.

Goodbye and thanks

Farewell Lunch and pair of wooden elephants, unfortunately most of the photos taken are blurred. As they say here 'Wot to do?'.
Sunday 24th: Just had my final blast on the motorbike and a swim in a local tank. Going to Chinese later, it's not really Chinese but it's the place to go in Ampara.
Have given away, packed or sold most of my stuff, it's amazing how much you accumulate.

For vols, life goes on for the local staff, I think it was in the VSO training that somebody said, there are people you work with who won't notice you arrive or leave. It is different for everyone, I was fortunate and had a good team to work with. But don't expect to be welcomed by all or appreciated, some may consider you more of a nuisance than asset.

River Crossing Task

The river is defined by two rope lines, each team has 5 plywood squares about 300mm square. The squares have to be placed not thrown and the width of the river should be too far to just step from square to square. The teams are given 10 minutes to plan then have to get across as fast as possible. If you touch the ground you go back taking the squares and the team members on the river with you.
Planning and realising it isn't that easy.

Last games with the local staff

Newspaper towers, 10 sheets of newspaper, 10 elastic bands and a small roll of sellotape, should be 10 minutes to plan and 3-5 to build but we did a straight 10 minutes to plan and build.
Final results, a very commendable 4m tower, well done!

New Homes for Tsunami affected people

Not exactly typical of Sri Lankan layout, very western estate in appearance. Why are they all blue? Evidently that's to show which INGO built them.
The only slight problem apart from the regimented appearance and lack of shade, is that they are built on paddy land and as such flooding is likely.

Kalmunai Youth Forum

There were about 40 young people at the forum, from different ethnicity. The idea is to discuss issues and encourage debate amongst the youth.
I was there to do some activities in between the talking. We started the day with people in circles and a ball. At first saying their own name when they threw the ball, then after a couple of minutes saying the name of the person they are throwing it too. Next activity was the birthday line and next as ever, the egg drop!

Bath time at Akeels party

We all went for a swim in a local canal, not as scenic as some places I've been as right next to the road. But good fun, we played around with a tennis ball for a while. The current was quite strong so tiring.

The feast, Goat with rice and a selection of currys. Tasted good and not too hot for me.

Games at Akeels

The Human Knott, you stand in a circle, even number of people, all put right hand in the air. You grab another hand but not of a person standing next to you. Then the same with left hands. The result is a human knott which can be unravelled.

Water balloon roulette, get a few balloons filled with water. Get two people to stand facing each other. Each time they throw the balloon to each other they take a step back. Two of the guys got about 20m apart.
Hula hoop ring, just a bit of fun, form a ring holding hands with the hoop over the arm. Then pass the hoop round the circle as quick as you can. You can use two rings and race with people in two lines. I have used bicycle tyres for this one, the hoops are actually mosquito net rings.

Quoits, just a few rope rings and a coke bottle filled with water, can be made more complicated.

Akeels Leaving Party

Fahmi and Najma eating breakfast, we were supposed to be there at 8am, this was about 11am. We had half a loaf of bread and sambol. The sambol was hot but ok, I was starving by the time we ate!

Above is the kitchen, by the time we arrived the goat had been killed and sliced and most of the vegetables prepared. The pans were on the fire and the rice was being washed in the canal, picture below.
The cook at work, masterchef lookout.

Alms giving

I was sitting in the office when the sound of a drum coming up the road got me to go and see what was happening. It was an Alms giving procession, the umberella is sheltering the gifts at the front and the student monks have been arranged in line by height.

Random Photos

A pandol, used at wesak to celebrate the birth, death and enlightenment of Buddha. They look great at night, flashing lights and loud music.
Typical vegetable stall.
Get your smiling plastic flower here!

Fruit stop

Jazeem the trader, getting a good deal from these roadside sellers.
The fruit peels revealing a white juicy flesh around a stone, bit like a lychee taste. Red and taste the same to me.

Working late

Whilst I was with the Peoples Forum, The FCE Ampara, Human Security team were completing an exercise preparing the next 6 months expenditure forecast. Lots of flipchart paper and much calculating going on.

Evening activities

This was a three island game, on one island everyone can talk, hear and see, on another only see and hear, the last hear only.

The island that can't speak have some tennis balls which they have to give to the blind island who can throw them into a basket placed in the middle of the islands.

You cannot leave your island defined by a ring of rope, could be chalk line outdoors.

The idea is to get communication going and underline the problems and difficulties of communication.

Chaos ensued but all had fun. This wasn't one of my games but I will give it a try. I think the group size needs to be 6 or less.

For vols, training can be a little more random than you may be used to and being there is probably more important than getting the point. So you have to be patient and tollerant, go with the flow.

Dropping Eggs again

In a 5* hotel you have to drop the eggs outside. As ever this bit gets the most attention and people have lots of fun.

This lady was the second to attach the egg on a chain of elastic bands. we didn't allow it but on reflection we should have. I will next time.

Games Time

The first activity, the birthday line. Played in total silence with no pens or paper, all have to form a line by day and month of birth. I steer clear of year for modesty and to avoid offence. So first of January at one end and 31st of December at the other. A good icebreaker, energiser or warm up activity. You can also do names in alphabetical order or shoe size.
The egg drop again! Well it works, especially if a few eggs are broken. This time most people wrapped the eggs. I had 12 teams of 4 so a big group, but it went well.