Living and working in Sri Lanka has been a privilege that has been both enjoyable and testing in equal measures.

Enjoyment has been had from living a profoundly different way of life to that found in Europe or North America, as well as having the chance to utilise our skills in English, Drama, Sport and IT to fill an identified skills gap and make a positive difference within Ahangama. However, our time has also been testing, with challenges ranging from simply adjusting to a different culture through to delivering lessons where there has been a significant language barrier.

At points, we felt our brief to be quite unwieldy and did feel that the language barrier was proving to be a stumbling block that was undermining our work. However, through a cyclical process of reflection and discussion amongst ourselves and local teaching staff, we felt that we were able to make progress. Upon reflection, this progress was significant. For example, Giulia brought a lively and interactive flavour of drama to the school that was very much in contrast to the type of teaching that appeared to be delivered as the norm. This culminated in advanced preparations, including costumes and props, such that the Undergraduate group were able to work with the children to put on a performance of a play. Jason has succeeded in delivering a programme of IT teaching that included graphics and word processing; in the context of the IT suite having been unused since its installation several years ago, this was certainly ground-breaking work. In addition, the opening-up of the IT suite served to humanise technology and so address the apparent wariness of the students and teachers regarding the use of computers.

Collectively, Giulia and Jason have delivered a very different style of teaching within Ahangama; while this certainly contrasted with the traditional teaching in Ahangama, it is hoped that it will also complement it. Through English and IT teaching aimed specifically at local teaching staff, it is hoped that something both positive and of longevity is left at Ahangama.

In summary, our time in Ahangama, providing voluntary support has certainly made a positive impact. However, we both took the time to learn about Sri Lanka and the wider issues facing the country and wider region; these issues were very much brought into focus by the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) meeting that was taking place in Colombo during our visit.

From this, it is clear that addressing the many challenges faced by Sri Lanka can only be through a partnership of domestic and international organisations. Regardless of our comparatively small contribution, we nonetheless feel that we have made a positive contribution to Ahangama and Sri Lanka.