Lego Tower Construction

I give the start planning instruction after pointing out four areas of the office to use for planning, immediately two teams head outside! Not part of the plan.
I just go with the flow and walk round all the teams checking they know what to do as nobody asked any questions so far. I also gave some time to go advice as nobody seemed to be checking the time. It is also fairly obvious that Lego bricks are a new experience for some and the novelty value is more interesting than the task.
At the end of the planning I got all the buckets back and checked the bricks to see they were all separated, sure enough some were still pieced together. I separated the bricks then gave the 5 minutes to build signal.

Lego Tower Planning

I was planning to do a short training exercise after the weekly staff meeting. This was planned for Monday about 12- 12.30, however I was told that the staff meeting would be on Wednesday. On Tuesday when I was talking about the training I am told the staff meeting is now Thursday. Anyway on Thursday I turn up at work with a big bag and my 4 buckets of Lego bricks. After the meeting I get the staff sorting themselves into 4 teams every time we get the teams sorted more people want to join in.
Finally four teams are sorted and I give them 3 minutes to choose a leader, I also ensure there is an English speaker in each team.
When the leaders are chosen I give them the leader instructions and point out the timings I have written on a board, 15 minutes to plan, 5 minutes to build. This is the basic tower version, just build the highest tower you can in the time allowed, tallest wins.

Hooded Cobra

Whilst chatting to a neighbour I noticed a snake slide under a bush, I only saw the tail end, my neighbour said it was a cobra. His father in law came out and started to poke about in the bush. He then lit a piece of sack soaked in kerosene and poked about with that. No sign of the snake so he chopped the bush down and started to burn it, all the time barefoot! The snake never showed out of the bush. However an hour or so later it appeared at the back of the house, so did half the neighbours, the snake went into a bush again but this time made a run for it when the poking about began. The dog was barking at it, so the snake turned and did the whole hooded cobra bit, I took a couple of photos till it headed my way.
Last I know the snake had hidden in some bricks, I went out, a safe option if I had stayed then the safest place was on top of the garden wall as demonstrated by the little girl.
It turns out that the snake had started the day three houses away and was been chased house to house?

Nursery School over the road

I was setting off to work Friday morning when the lady from the nursery/primary school over the road came and said they were having an open day. I asked when, she said NOW. So I went to have a look, this is how it works in Sri Lanka, things happen and the first you know is when they start, you are expected to fit things in.
I was impressed with the work all 3-5 years, made from yogurt cartons, straws, dried seeds, very blue peter. I was the first visitor, will now save my yogurt pots for them.

Wild Dogs

There are lots of dogs here, few in good condition, most have mange, I am sure all have fleas. I am sure you would be doing most a favour if you put them down as they have really bad injuries, diseases and sores. They wander about out of control and are just ignored most of the time. At night they can be really noisy, howling and barking, nobody seems to mind. A few of the INGO’s seem to adopt the dogs whilst they are here, although what happens when they go I am not sure. After being woken up last night by a pack howling I wasn’t too sympathetic when an email was circulated from the German INGO, HELP, saying they had lost theirs, including a picture!

Termites finally arrive

Well the termites finally found where I live and invaded with enthusiasm. They politely come in through the front door, under it actually, go the length of the lounge, and into the kitchen, a distance of 40 ft. They are into everything, especially ginger biscuits and the bin bag, they are tiny but hunt in such large numbers it’s quite impressive. I haven’t tried to kill them off, just thrown out the food they got into and check everything regularly.

Lego arrives at last

The tables and chairs I spent a whole afternoon creating for the production line training task.
Four buckets of bricks for the tower building task.

Japanese Peace Temple at Dusk

New wheelchair

A new wheelchair is delivered on world childrens day by Handicap International to the orphanage at Uhana. Claudi, Nathalie and in the chair Pody Rani. A good day with dancing and singing at the orphanage. It was the day after Ciarans birthday party, a Saturday so some fragile heads and stomachs

Livelihood Schemes

There are schemes to help people build and run business enterprises here, they range from tailoring, short eats, brick making, vegetable gardens to hand looms. One of our hand loom projects just got going and produced some table cloths and sari’s. Handicap International managed to buy 17 sari’s and I bought a table cloth, so off to a good start.
I have tried to persuade my colleagues to vary the types of schemes, but as yet to no avail.

Office where I now work and my desk

These are photos of the new office in Ampara. My desk has the green check tablecloth and a picture of mother Theresa on the wall. As you can see I have a big red chair to sit on and I am right under the fan too. The main area is for meetings and general use, it's quite big and 'L' shaped. It has two features, a fountain and a mural. The fountain is a common feature of buildings here, UNICEF and IOM also have them although nobody puts water in as the mozzies would love it. The mural is also a common feature although not always inside, GOAL has one on their balcony and theirs is painted.

Religious Images

Just some posters of Ganesh and Thanush, these are examples of religious imagery here in Sri Lanka.

Wallpaper Local style

These are samples from computer wallpapers in circulation here, I have been a bit biased in my selection as there are some good ones and very pretty Indian actresses. However I think they give an idea of what is thought to be attractive or macho, I haven't ordered my turquoise suit with matching hat yet and its way too hot for a leather wig.

Ampara Esala Perahera

Ampara Esala Perahera

Ampara Esala Perahera

Ampara Esala Perahera

From the 14th to 17th of September the Perahera visited Ampara. Not that well publicised as didn’t know till Wednesday and wondered what all the flags were for. Thursday night was not that crowded so got a good position and was trying out new camera. Then the Sri Lankan security forces, who were out in force, decided to stand in front of us. Not normally a problem as they are usually short, but these were five tall guys! Too late to cross the road where there was no security. Anyway took a few photos but they didn’t come out too well. It was dark and the parade was moving so exposures were long and blurring occurred. Next night we went across the road, I got on nodding and smiling terms with a security guard and managed to squat at the front with the kids, could use flash there. Unfortunately I stood directly opposite PC HOUSE with its big neon sign, it’s on all the shots!

Back in Ampara

After nearly two weeks away came back to Ampara on the twelfth thanks to a lift from Chris. As usual took about nine and a half hours. We met up with Marie in Kandy, at the Regency Hotel a 5* place on the outskirts of the town as she is leaving Sri Lanka for the Sudan. Managed to get lunch paid for although it wasn't too expensive, VSO cheapskate again!
House was ok, bit more dusty and needed to do a food shop. Went out to La Dolce Vita, the Tuesday Italian night which was fine but had a depleted guest list thanks to the work permit issue. Seems more people are returning this week though.
I have bought another camera, thanks to Emma who got the price down expertly, and will be putting it to use tonight as the perahera visits Ampara.
I am having problems with the lap top and did unscrew the back but then chickened out of taking the back off, it seems to have a loose connection. All that happened taking it to repair shops in Colombo was buying a new charger and battery, both I fear unnecessary!

Work Permit woe's

A few weeks ago it became evident that expats will be required to have work permits for Sri Lanka. At first it was assumed, fatal mistake, that it would just be some form filling and easily sorted. However rumours started to circulate and the penalties for not having a work permit were defined as possible arrest and cancellation of visa.

There was also some confusion as it was thought you had to have a work permit by 31st August, none had been issued, then that you had to have applied by 31st August. Then there was a week’s extension but nothing in writing.

In the light of all this VSO asked me and the other vols still working in the North and East to come to Colombo on 31st August. The only lifts I could get were either to Kandy or Galle, I elected for Galle and stayed at Unawatuna for the weekend, arriving in Colombo on Monday 4th.

As the days have passed by it now appears that having an acknowledgement of application for permit will be ok as there is a backlog but that those working in N&E will have to have individual interviews before getting permits.

I was given the opportunity to go back to Ampara but advised that I may have to return in a couple of days. It takes anything from 8-12 hours to get to and from Ampara so have decided to stay in Colombo for a few days.

For vols, be prepared to be messed about things don't always go smoothly and you may end up waiting around. Try and make sure you are somewhere pleasant if you have time to kill, sounds obvious I know but not everyone manages it.

Unawatuna unplanned

Had an unexpected trip south and landed in Unawatuna. There are worse places to be! It's not the season here yet but weather was ok and got some swimming in. Stayed at a new place and made a few more discoveries there and in Galle.
Unfortunately on the last night somebody opened one of the windows and using a branch reached through the metal security bars, dragged my day bag to the window and stole my camera. So no more photo's for a while. I will look at camera's in Colombo but just feel gutted. Evidently lots of things get stolen in Unawatuna, no consolation though.