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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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