2nd March

Lightning storm

I'm sitting on the balcony of the place we’ are staying, watching an incredible lightning storm as I write this!

Camp in a school

We worked at our first camp with the Teardrop/Impakt programme today. The camp was a disused school in Dehiwala. Some families occupy the classrooms, while others live in temporary shelters in the school grounds. There are about 117 children living there, and about 70 showed up with their parents.

We were there from 2.30 until 6.00, which is longer than the sessions we ran when we were last here. Charlie and I began and finished the programme, and the children did other activities with the Impakt/Teardrop workers and volunteers in the middle section.

How well Teardrop/Impakt are doing

It was great to come back and find how well the Teardrop/Impakt programme was doing - they are running face painting, badge-making, drawing and juggling ball-making, and the activities are going really well, with good management from staff and volunteers. Also the Teardrop Relief bouncy castle inflatable is up and running, and being very much enjoyed.

Sri Lankans queuing

Teardrop/Impakt have introduced milk and biscuits into their programme, and these were handled amazingly well. The children first have to queue to wash their hands before sitting patiently, waiting for the biscuits and milk to be handed out. This is the first time I'’ve witnessed Sri Lankans queueing - and they did so without complaint! Hats off to Shane!!

The children were very polite at this camp, and I lost count how many times we were thanked for coming - it was all very humbling.

Going to Colombo

No camp tomorrow, as Impakt/Teardrop aren't touring - but Charlie and I will be going into Colombo to meet Dr. Marion Staunton of IOM, who is setting up our forthcoming Tour on the East coast - she will be able to give us more details on what venues we will be visiting over there with IOM. We are also hoping to buy a pa (small sound system) to take over to the East with us.