Saturday, 19 July 2014

Ayubowan..

As we rush around packing and buying last minute gifts each student takes time to reflect.

Natacha leads the way .......

However much I enjoyed completing this project with my friends, I can't wait to return home to tell the many exotic stories that I picked up here in Sri Lanka. Mor og Far: Jeg ikke vendte at se jer igen og give jer knuser og jers gaver. Jeg havde det alt for sjovt (hvis mugligt!) og ville gjerne kom her ud igen I framtiden. Elsker jer xxxxxxxxx

Look at my moody face... This whole trip has been an incredible experience, and one that I am not liable to forget. Everyone unfortunately had to put up with my pessimism and nihilism, but hey, it could have been worse: we could not have had loads of delicious tea and biscuits. At any rate, I will be seeing my family in a few hours, so see you guys then. Lots of love, Freddie H

P.s. Mum I hope you realise I did not actually bring my camera, as I figured if there were any photos worth having I could pick them up off Facebook. :p. anyway, see you all in a while.

Over the past few weeks I have realised how much I rely on England and my mum's food! This has been an amazing experience and I have loved it! Can't wait to see you Mum & Dad ( Scarlett) and the pets! Have to say I'm disappointed I wasn't allowed to take a turtle home. Looking forward to my roast dinner and a massive thank you to everyone involved in making this trip a success! See you very soon! Xxxxxxx

I have really enjoyed the trip and exploring Sri Lankan culture. I won't miss how hot and humid it is though and all the mozzie bites!! Looking forward to coming home and seeing everyone. Thank you to everyone who helped me fundraise for the trip!! Lots of love to everyone back home and looking forward to seeing you all. Xxxx

I have really enjoyed this trip, especially the building part. My favourite part of the building was the shovelling sand into the woks to then be sent up to the higher floors. The temples I thought were stunning, all the beautiful paintings of the story of the Buddah. Overall, I have really enjoyed myself.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this trip from the culture to the building work. My two favourite parts were seeing the elephants and seeing people so happy with what little they have. Thank you Mum, Dad and the rest of the family for helping me raise the funds.

My experience has been absolutely amazing! I really enjoyed my time in the different environment that Sri Lanka had to offer. I have gained many new memories that I'm sure I will treasure forever. I really enjoyed working with the local community, especially the children.

When I first heard about this trip, I must admit that I felt a bit sceptical. I thought it'd be a fortnight filled with curry and other spicy food, which is really not my thing! Everyone says that things like this are "once in a life time experiences" but I really hope that's not the case! It has been an amazing trip, which I'd gladly do over again. I've learnt so much about how other people live, different religions and even how to cross language barriers - both with children and adults. It's been an amazing trip, and something that I'll remember forever.

The project was more work than I had expected, but it was fun to be involved in. The entire trip has been an amazing experience, that I have enjoyed and will always remember, all ups and downs. Although I am glad to be coming home and see my family.

This has been an amazing experience for me, and one I won't ever forget. The past two weeks have been like nothing else that I have ever experienced and I feel privileged to have visited Sri Lanka and all it has to offer. Mum, and everyone else: we should definitely come out here some time, it's incredible!

Not even looking at the camera, but oh well. I'm really glad I came on this trip, it has been thoroughly enjoyable and a great experience. The elephants were fantastic and it was great to see monkeys swooping about in the trees by our rooms at the hostel. I really enjoyed the work, especially mixing the cement/motor with Georgia, even though it was hard work! I am looking forward to doing another Aid Camp in the future, and hopefully visit the centre we just built. Thanks to everyone that helped me raise the money to come here; I will never forget these two weeks!

This trip has been an experience of a lifetime, I have learnt so much from this trip, the safari was amazing, something I will never forget, other trips out have also been fantastic. Helping work at the building site was difficult but very rewarding. By the end of our time the building looked incredible, so this is a big thank you to everyone who has helped out and made this trip brilliant. Thank you to the teachers as well who had to put up with me for 16 days and have put so much effort into this trip to make it possible. THANK YOU XXXXX

This has been an unforgettable experience that I have enjoyed every minute of. Exploring a different culture like Sri Lanka's has been a once in a lifetime opportunity that I will never forget.

This has been an experience I'll never forget. I have learnt a lot and saw many new things that I was not expecting. I'll take away lots of very happy memories from the trip.

This has been a once in a life time experience and it is something that will stay with me forever, I am very grateful that I have been given the opportunity to come on such an amazing trip.

Sri Lanka has been an unforgettable experience and one I have enjoyed thoroughly. The people there are so friendly (a lot friendlier than the British) and it was fun working with them. The outings were great and I got to see things that I won't ever forget.

Over the AidCamp I have experienced new food, a new climate, a new culture and all of those were a lot different to our lifestyle back home. The trip was different to how I thought it would be: it wasn't too hot or too sweaty and luckily, unlike most people, I didn't get bitten to pieces by mosquitoes. Overall I'm glad I came and it is an experience that I will remember as very unique and enjoyable.

I have had a good time in Sri Lanka. I hope everyone at home is all good and will see you shortly.

I had an amazing time in Sri Lanka especially at the building site and the tea break. I hope Fi's piano exam went well and Teddy enjoyed his cub camp.

Was an amazing trip, especially enjoyed the site seeing. The food was different to what I was expecting, but good nonetheless except for the occasional whole chilli. Would recommend the trip to future students, hope to see you all soon.

Fantastic trip, really, really good fun! The opening ceremony was really something and the surprise party held by SERVE and school members was a really great surprise. Really interesting, and happy, people who helped us make the experience all the more unique and enjoyable. From, sun to thunderstorms, it was all great! Best wishes to all the family - see you soon.

I've really enjoyed my two weeks in Sri Lanka, the work when we were at the site was hard but it was definitely worth it and I'm really grateful that I've had this amazing opportunity. A great experience.

 

The baby turtles were very sweet and I loved the amazing variety for breakfast at the posh hotel we went to! I can't wait to see my family and new puppy though, but I'll miss the heat and perfect weather. I'm glad I helped build a part of the community centre - that is an experience I shall never forget.

The trip of a life time, full of experiences that I'll never forget and It was even better to share them with the people that I did. Forming new friendships and bonds between people was fun.

We are currently on route home. I feel absolutely shattered but I would like to thank all the teachers so much for all their effort and hardwork to make the trip such a wonderful experience. However I am really looking forward to sleeping in my own bed tonight!

What can we add? The students have said it all......it will be strange to not have twenty five students trailing behind us. I hope that they will reflect on their experiences over the months to come. The students are tired but will have some great stories to tell you......

An amazing time - close encounters with Buddhism ( and Hinduism ) and in one small corner of an LEDC we have all done something that will make a difference and we had fun doing it - didn't we? Well done everyone!

We will miss the friendly people of Sri Lanka and the beautiful sunsets.

 

The Opening Ceremony....

We awoke to soft rain falling on the jungle around us. It made the air cooler as we cleared our rooms and made our way up to breakfast

We will miss this view of our beautiful noisy jungle.

Breakfast awaits..

James made a speech to thank the cooks.

Then we thanked KL who owns the centre for allowing our visit.

Waiting for the bus we braved the ants and sat on the steps for a group photo. (Please note that Georgia is wearing her new sandals.)

When we arrived at the centre the children were anxiously waiting...

......with garlands for everyone....

Ella

Flora

Freddie

Joe

Nick

Mr Pool

Robert

The local monk arrived. He is the Abbot of the nearby Vihara.

Hollis and Flora opened the second floor...

.....and James and Alannah opened the top floor.

The millennium statements all finished.

The Iman also joined us from the local mosque. They both blessed the building.

The children waited anxiously to perform.

The new staIned glass window looked lovely.

The audience was made up of many different groups, their teachers and helpers.

A local boy was the MC.

Chelsea was invited to light the traditional brass oil lamp.

Followed by other members of the community. Spot the loom bands!

Freddie joined in.

Mrs de Silva translated a message from a representative of the Women's group.

The Tamil boys sang 'the wheels on the bus'....

Gorgeous...

Then a group from from Moratuwa danced.

Pretty dresses.

A traditional song.

Here is the Serve board we helped to paint.

A pause while a pot of coconut milk was placed on a small fire. We waited for it to boil over - a sign of good luck.

Mr de Mel made a speech thanking everyone.

Then these nursery children danced to 'brown girls in the ring'...

Our turn next, Katie and Faye had choreographed a short dance from 'Hairspray'.

Whilst the other sang 'head, shoulders, knees and toes' and 'if you're happy and you know it'.

Next came a highlight, six lovely teenagers danced to Jingle Bells, wearing straw hats, spotty skirts and big smiles.

Ruwantha and Calum de Mel looked on.

Mr Knight then gave a speech summing up the fortnight's activities and thanking everyone.

Natacha and Emma made a lovely speech too.

The school teacher thanked everyone too.

Chelsea and Alannah wanted a photo with Ruwantha.

Our lovely board...

Emily, Ella and Yasmin with Marianne.

Team MC

Mrs Speed's crew.

The A team. Sorry I have hunted but can't find a phot of the A * team. I'll edit if I do.

We were fed on coconut rice with various sauces. And of course ginger tea and bananas.

As we left Joe gave a gift to Ruwantha.

Team 2014, you did a brilliant job. We are so proud of you.