Monday - Thirukkovil and Chenkalady

Another early start, a couple of pieces of toast and off to Chenkalady preschool (Pam, Karen and Julie) to be met by more earnest young children bearing garlands and a warm welcome from their teachers. We said hello to each child individually, which took time, but there the formalities ended, with Julie leading frivolities with a rousing hokey cokey - that tried and tested favourite of children everywhere!

Once we had broken the ice and got everyone excited, it was time for calm, so out came the trusty hat kits and peace was restored.

Much as we’d like to say the highlights of the morning were the beautiful colllage (it was) and the delightful hats (they were), the top honours today went to a shy little girl in hysterics at a glitter glue bursting and a group of boys laughing at our attempts to say the work ‘star’ in Tamil. But we can’t go without a final award to the amazing teachers who clearly care for the children under their wing and who shared their most delicious lunch with us!

Phil, Ruth, Stephen, Hugh and Kathy went south to two pre-schools in Thirukovil.  Stephen and Kathy and their Ocean Stars helper and translator arrived at Thirukkovil 1, which is situated adjacent to the Church visited on Sunday and had a great morning again with around 20 children.  They were impressed by how organised the pre-school was, with each child having their own tray and workbook.  One particular highlight was the game of skittles which the children went wild for, and cheered after every ball was thrown, regardless if any skittles fell or not.
Ruth, Hugh and Phil went ten minutes out of Thirukkovil to Thirukkovil 2 pre-school where Ruth started the kids off with an energentic circle time with 'Rainbow' the parrot puppet, before Phil and Dinutia, a staff member of Ocean Stars, took over.  At this point Hugh and Ruth left (Ruth on the back of a motorbike - picture to follow possibly...) to meet with the ministers of the Thirukkovil Methodist Church to discuss furthering their partnership with Beacon Hill United Reformed Church and possible ways that Beacon Hill may be able to help develop local enterprises in Thirukkovil, including peanut farming.  Their tour ended by supping fresh coconuts on the beach with a local farmer.

Whilst others had been visiting pre-schools, Dilannee and Dan went to the opening ceremony of a new pre-school building in Batticaloa, which was fund raised through ocean Stars.  The ceremony was attended by the local MP, and officials and many families and parents.  The party went on all day until the rest of us arrived at about 4pm for more food, dancing, singing and chatting.  This new building will support the development of 40 children and will make a real positive difference in their lives.  Everyone came away feeling very positive and merry!

On the way back to the hotel we visited the (very tidy) Ocean Stars Office in Batticaloa to see where Chitra, Gaosh and Puja manage the work of Ocean Stars day in, day out.

Now we are tired, so to bed!

(Today's blog was written by Karen and Stephen)