The team got together for our third meeting in May where the mood was enthusiastic and happy.
We reviewed our itinerary again in added some more detail to it. Briefly, our route will be as follows: We will fly into Colombo and from there travel to Yatiyanthota to visit a preschool. We will then visit schools in Kilinochichi (with a possible visit to Jaffna), Batticaloa, Thriukkovil/Chenkalady, Naripulthotam, Pattipalai, Ampalanthurai, Kurumanvely, Kirankulam, Karavetty, Soruwamunai, Thevilamunai, Kanchirankuda, Mandoor.
Many of these visits will be conducted by groups within the team rather than the whole team. What these groups will be is also something we discussed. For those who have not been on previous volunteering trips to Sri Lanka, we will be thrown in the deep end somewhat by being without a team member who has been before!
We also talked about all of the arts and crafts, toys, instruments and toiletries that we will be bringing with us and how we will go about getting them. Some of us will be doing box collections at schools and churches. Finally we talked about our fundraising ideas - promise auctions, a cross country cycle ride and a triathlon.
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Reflections from our May meeting
Phil
Stephen and I are going to try to cycle west to east coast of England as our fundraiser for Ocean Stars. At the moment this seems daunting! I’m still looking forward to going to Sri Lanka, I’m sure it will be epic!
Kathy
More details on what we will be actually doing with the children at the meeting today. Circle time songs, crafts, outdoor activities. Very important – the hat( or other objects) which the children will make for themselves to take home! Opportunities to meet some of the families afterwards in their own homes. So many experiences to come!
Hugh
Feeling a bit apprehensive being in a group comprising a lot of teachers talking about engaging young children etc. looking forward to visiting a childs home and family after pre school if possible. I am thinking about what I used to do at nursery school, as much as I can remember.
Karen
Biggest nervousness is still the flights, everything else is exciting
Stephen
Having not done anything really like this before, I am still learning more about working in a classroom than perhaps the others are. However, this also means I am really excited about the opportunity. I just hope that I am as useful as I can be. I think I will have to go in with an open mind, open to healthy about of chaos.
Ruth
Feeling very positive- hope I can make the cut out puppet! Looking forward to meeting the families,
teachers and children- ‘good to put …
Julie
I remember this time last year feeling like the trip was a long way off but now I know it will be October before we know it. Plans are coming together well with lots of great ideas for crafts and activities.
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In order to raise some sponsorship money for Ocean Stars, a curry evening was held on the 12th May at the Fleet Methodist Church which was a huge success and raised £... for Ocean stars! Attendees were invited to eat and be merry, as well as try their hand at some Sri Lankan recipes
