Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Monday 7 Dec 09 - Hello from Mount Lavinia - Western Sri Lanka. Wow, I've been through so much since last Thursday.
After updating my last blog entry, I went to the orphanage and took some cakes in for all the kids. I was sat chatting to Shanika, Nayana, Dilrukshi & Chandrika (they insisted that I had some cake with them) and by the time I had finished, I had made plans to stay the night at the orphanage - yes a sleepover with the older girls - I felt so privileged to have been allowed to do this !
I collected my overnight stuff from the home stay and was back at the orphanage at 6pm. From that moment up until lights were out (9.30pm), I felt just like pied piper as they just followed me everywhere - I don't think they could believe that I was staying the night !
After supper, Shanika and some of the other girls had promised to dance for me, they were really good - especially Shanika. They then all sat down on the tiled floor to watch their favorite soap (in Sinhalese), so I just sat and watched them and of course took some pics of them watching TV !
I popped across to see the babies and toddlers before going to bed, I think they were confused at seeing me there so late in the night - but I wasn't disappointed - as usual I got huge smiles from my babies !!!
The dormitory was split into 3 sections (the sections are divided by a pair of frail curtains) and my bed was with the 5 other girls (over 15 years of age). I got changed and sat on my bed and every few minutes the younger girls popped their heads round the curtain to see how I was doing - my emotions on that night were a mixture of sadness, happiness, joy & contentment - their smiles will be in my heart forever !
Some of the girls wanted to write me messages, so I gave them a small note book, which was given to me by my family before I left the UK - now I have special messages from my family & the girls in one very special book. The girls have started to call me "mum" in Sinhalese !
Friday 4 Dec - Wake up call was at 4:45, by 5am, all the girls were up; beds made and had disappeared from the dorm ! I woke up too, and by the time I'd finished my prayers, a lovely cup of tea was brought in to me. I asked Chandrika, what everyone was up to and was told that they had chores to attend to - at that moment a 10 year old walked in with a broom and started sweeping the room, Some of the girls were sweeping the grounds outside - message to my kids back at home -"hope you're taking note of this" !!
At 6.30, the school minibus took the girls to school; they all took their breakfast with them to eat on the bus (2 teacakes, which had been donated by a local family).
I stayed at the orphanage until 9:45, saying goodbye to the babies, toddlers, Nayana, Chandrika, Malkanthi and the Carers. It was very hard and sad to say goodbye (there were tears - mine, the older girls and a couple of the older carers). I don't feel like I've said a final goodbye to them, as I hope one day to return and see how they are getting on. Maybe, there will be more children that will get adopted in the meantime - Insha'Allah!
Shanika and I have been exchanging texts every night and this will no doubt continue forever !
After returning to the home stay for the LAST time, I packed my bags and left for Mount Lavinia - what a beautiful location the hotel is in. My room is a stone's throw from the beach and the view of the Indian Ocean is awesome!! I woke up at 5.30 this morning and after seeing the sea, I couldn't go back to bed, just sat on the balcony looking out to sea !
I've met a lovely couple from Manchester (Debbie & Alan) and will be joining them for dinner tonight - by the way, breakfast was scrumptious - I even had a fish curry with string hoppers and sambol (coconut & chilies) Mmmmmm !!
Well, I know one month has gone by, but it feels like I've been here ages, I have fallen in love with Sri Lanka and will return one day !
This is my last blog entry from Sri Lanka, so until I get something to write about in Thailand, I'll say good bye for now.
Love you lots, Dee
- comments
Mark Littledale Hi Dee, just been catching up on your blog, it sounds as though you are having a fantrastic time and have met some lovely people. Mount Lavinia sounds beautiful.
Jean-Baptiste Hi ! I'm actually living in Mount Lavinia for a while and I was wondering if I could help somehow in an orphanage here but I can't find one : could you tell me what's the address of the one you went to ? Or more or less where it's. Thank you.