Today we visited Ratmalana School for the Deaf.
Ellie tells the story........
Today was very exciting as we got the chance to visit a deaf school in Sri Lanka. The school is funded by the government and accommodates both male and female children of all ages. However the children who attend the school don't get a chance to see their family often as most of them live halfway across the country.
Whilst there we (the girls) had a chance to play a Netball match against the Sri Lankan girls of a similar age.
When we were first told about the possibility of playing a Netball match excitement filled the room (well, I got excited. Georgia didn't as such). But when we arrived we were surprised to see a court, well a patch of grass with two nets at either end, quite different to the type of court we are used to playing on in England. The 'court' was not lined out but we managed to have a fun filled match playing barefoot.
After playing for 24 minutes we ended the game at a draw of 9-9. It felt like a very long match as it was over 30 degrees whilst we were playing.
Above you can see me (to the right) and the girl I was marking as well as Natacha, being her usual non-agressive self, trying to get the ball from the Sri Lankan shooters.
Below are our two teams.
Emma, who's not in this picture, played for half of the match.
Today's quote of the day was Mrs Speed: "I have a whistle"..... To which everyone else replied with, "I don't think that will work".
While the girls were playing Netball the boys played a game of cricket.
Below you can see the expert umpire, Mr Barnes and a lesser spotted Hollis bowling very professionally.
Freddie looking rather confused whilst fielding
While the girls drew their match the boys lost by a rather large number (108-17)
Above you can see the Sri Lankan Boys team.
A late cut by Freddie Baines
A quick single by Tom Peck.
Hollis played and missed!!!
The boys played two cricket matches whilst the girls made loom bands.
Flora looks very interested in what she is teaching the Sri Lankan girl sitting next to her.
We spent 45 minutes teaching the Sri Lankan girls and boys how to make loom bands. By the end of our time there we had a small crowd watching us and eagerly waiting to receive their own band.
The little boy in the red T-shirt made a kite our of nylon string, a plastic bag and a few sticks found around the school ; how different to the elaborate kites you can find in England.
Just quickly; Hello everyone (mainly Nicki but Hi mum if you've worked out how to use a computer) I am having a really fun time out here. Things are very different in Sri Lanka than in England. But it is a lovely place with really friendly people who just constantly smile at you. Anyway, I miss you all lots (especially baby Edie) and I hope Florida is good and the Climbers are well. I am looking forward to seeing you all soon. Lots of love hug and kisses Ellie xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Lovely blog Ellie -they get better and better!
ReplyDeleteIt is great that there has been so much variety for each day - and again what great ambassadors for the school. Ah, G, I see the sports bug shown in the school report had worn off. Shame as nan has booked you into the Athletics Summer Camp. Only joking! All OK here - the heat pump is working (hurrah!), Chris bought currency for this year's AND next year's holidays and two Gap t-shirts in the sale. I think the heat has got to him a bit. We are deciding what celebratory meal to cook for when you get back. Is it (a) lasagne as per my recipe (b) lasagne as per your dad's recipe (c) curry (d) takeout. You'll have to wait and see....plus, are you considering bringing those funny trousers back? You've worn them so much I think they will probably be able to walk back unless they are in fact being washed......plus feel free to hack off the sleeves and trouser bottoms of your clothes as you seem a bit overdressed compared to everyone else. Lots of love and miss you! Xxxxx mum
ReplyDeleteGlad to see loom bands are global! All the blogs are fantastic - thank you for keeping us updated on your fabulous trip, it looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteFantastic. Three blogs in one day. How wonderful to visit a different kind of school. Do they have a Speech Therapist I wonder. I also wonder if any sign language is universal. There are some basic signs that everyone can understand (if you know them of course!). I loved the photos of you all playing sports. Obviously it's great to see Joseph, but a couple of terrific shots of Hollis in full flow. Shame about the huge score difference in the cricket but well played boys. And well done to the girls. You are all 'hot'!! The other delight is to see so many beautifully coloured shirts and trousers. You all look great. Btw a loom band dress has just sold on Ebay for a ridiculous amount of money. You could be in business guys.
ReplyDeleteThank you for a great blog Ellie. And thank you for the great photos to whoever took them. It's wonderful to feel as involved as you make us. Mrs Speed, I still can't find the chins. I'll keep looking. I hope Joseph is making you as proud as he's making me.
Love to all of you, and Joseph: Love you loads, most and more plus one and no returns. Love from Russell too. xxxxx
Joseph - message from Russell.
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to see you working hard, having fun and getting a tan. I've been working hard too and I have a potential interview for a job in Salisbury. I can't wait to hear all about it when you get back. I'm guessing you might want a Chinese meal when you get back!! See you Sunday. Love from Russell. xxxx
Looks like all is going well. Hope u all have enjoyed ur time there. Hope u gave them all a chance at netball. Miss u loads Faye. Xxx
ReplyDeleteWell done for all the hard work you've completed on your trip. The blog is fantastic and makes for good reading. Annoyed to see that the infuriating 'loom band' craze is now global! Think of us state school teachers still hard at work...
ReplyDeleteMr Clarke
Hi Katie, well done in your netball match! It looks like you are having a great time and it's not all hard . Missing you lots and can't wait for you to come home! Love Mum, Daddy, Hen & hounds! Xxx
ReplyDeleteHi Georgia sorry I haven't been as prolific as your mum, she really does deserve the title of 'serial blogger'. I have been reading and watching your progress and just want to say how proud we Red Ricers are of you. Well done to everyone for what you have achieved but we are now looking forward to having you home. Take care love Dad.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a fantatic bunch of 3 blogs, so good to see the old place from 2012, Chloe, hasn't seen the pics yet but she will be delighted. Great to see the cricket and the netball and even more great to see you all hard at work. It looks like you've had a tough time, I do hope you are pleased with your efforts, good luck with the opening ceremony, I'm sure it will be really special, take lots of pix so that we can continue to share. PS. Tom, went to the Cripps today, fortunately Toby wasn't there....
ReplyDeleteTom, this is Dad, hello.
ReplyDeleteTerrific blog yet again - thank you. Well done the girls for their 9-9 netball result. Commiserations to the boys, I guess 'home turf' may have given the local boys an advantage ... and I'm sure they will have been practising for the game. Nick, how did you do? Lots of love Dad, Mum, Matt and Maria xxxx
ReplyDeleteHollis the bowling action looks good, but not sure about the batting.....
ReplyDeleteGood day Chelsea it is now Thursday morning here. We are all off to do combat today. I took cookie to the vet yesterday he said she is not pregnant but has all the signs and symptoms of pregnancy. We are all gutted but will wait and see and if nothing else happens she is a faker lol. I am getting really excited now as not much longer and you will be here. Loving all the pics they are amazing hope your enjoying yourself love you loads x x x x x
ReplyDeleteHi All,
ReplyDeleteWhat a fab set of Blogs to wake up to this morning. I will miss these next week. We are looking forward to getting our non-aggressive daughter home - lots of chocolate if you like Tacha? (Well - we still have a bit of your Easter Egg left somewhere - I'll find it for you).
I am sure you made the day for the kids at the school you visited, great with the draw and well played boys, for letting the locals win, without making it obvious that was your plan all along. If there are any loom bands left, tell the girls at the school that a loom band dress was sold on eBay yesterday for £170.000. If they did something similar, surely that would pay for a few lessons?
Good luck with todays work and hopefully you will be ready for the opening ceremony.
Knuser,
Mor, Far og Rødemis xxxx
Dear All, What a terrific blog. Thank you for keeping us so well informed and updated with what you are all up to. It is impressive that you find the time to do so, particularly when you must feel absolutely shattered after a hard days work and play. Well done to the girls netball team, bad luck boys now you know how the England cricket team feels. For Joe: Well I now know who to call on when the cellar needs painting - once the flood damage is repaired which is unlikely to be for a while yet - yes we're still pumping water out even in this heatwave! Dad and I are so impressed with all that you have achieved in such a short time. Looking forward to catching up with you in August. Lots of love Dad, Julia, Hooba, Max and Lucy xxxxx
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you have enjoyed yourselves over the last few weeks and done a lot of hard work. Wish I could have seen those turtles. Enjoy the last few days and don't worry mum the house is fine
ReplyDeleteWilliam
Dear Ellie
ReplyDeleteThank you for a lovely blog. We are so proud of you and really happy you seem to be enjoying everything about the trip. I did giggle when I saw the spider - think that would have scared even me!
We are having a lovely time in Alabama... Lovely drive through Florida on Monday and we are in the heart of Sweet Alabama. It's very green, nowhere near as built up as other parts of USA we've visited and humid. By contrast Julie told me yesterday that they pay a "bug man" to make sure that there are no creepy crawlies or flying bugs in or around the house. Joseph has just taken Edie off to get some breakfast as I was so engrossed in the blogs. I've had to do quite a lot of work here when Edie's asleep so hadn't managed to read for a few days.
We saw the boll weevil monument on the way in to Enterprise on Monday. I think we are going to Dothan today.
Everyone misses you and we're looking forward to seeing you in Miami next Friday. It's a very long drive (650 miles) with a toddler but we will stop off for a couple of nights half way and go to an alligator sanctuary.
Dad is off to Poole today with Danny to see Uncle Mark and go to the beach at Bournemouth. Not sure he's figured the blog writing but I know he is enjoying reading all about your adventures.
Lots of love
Nicki, Joseph, Luke and Edie
in the land of Y'all Cupcakes.... Xxxxx
Hey Hollis! It's Owen here. Hope you're doing ok.
ReplyDeleteI must say, its very enlightening to know that building from 2012's Sri Lanka trip is still standing! See you on the 20th!
Amazing, I'm definitely signing up for the next trip! Fantastic blog, magic of Internet & data roaming feels like I'm there not sunning myself in Spain. All the best for the opening ceremony. Helen
ReplyDeleteI missed a day's blog so have thoroughly enjoyed catching up! You've made it! Last working day - hope the opening ceremony goes well and that you all feel justifiably proud x can't wait to see you on Sunday Emma... much love x mum xxx
ReplyDeleteHi James Fi here glad to know you are having a great time! As you probably know I have my piano exam tomorrow so fingers crossed it will be fine. :) Prepare for a room change when you get back don't worry you'll get used to the pink x Fi :)
ReplyDeleteRobert,
ReplyDeleteI've been set up. After being encouraged to bet everything on the 'pinks' race I have been hustled! I got thrashed by a clever thirteen year old who, I found out later, is a national champion. It is customary to throw food during some of these races. As we raced along I was hit by a pork pie and a chicken drumstick. A little later by some fruit and finally a Christmas pudding. I definitely feel I was hampered. The bad news though is that it turns out 'pinks' refer to ownership of the board so I have lost your longboard. And your skateboard. Both of them. You still have your penny board though and Alex says you can borrow his Nerf skateboard if he can watch all of your DVDs. It also turns out that 'El Burro Gris' does not mean cunning fox either.
I will never set foot on a board again. Mostly because of my pride but also because you don't have any left.
Hurry back,
Love, Dad