Week eight was our final week and was hectic, with a raft of final teaching commitments, punctuated by saying many goodbyes, before actually organising our own departure to Colombo.

Our final piece of teaching involved classes for the individual teachers, which it is hoped, will enable them to continue some of the teaching of the children in the IT suite and so continue the efforts to humanise technology. These initially went very well on Monday, with a well- received lesson on word processing utilising a range of word processing software on both Linux and Windows systems. Existing skill levels were again very varied, but the class proved to also be a team-building experience, with more able teachers then assisting their less IT-able colleagues.
Unfortunately, due to a power failure, the Spreadsheet class that had been planned for Tuesday could not go ahead. This was certainly a disappointment, but the previous days teaching had identified the more IT-able teachers, so it is hoped that these individuals will feel confident enough to continue with the teaching following our departure. While this IT teaching was going on, Giulia spent the days completing a display in the activity room to reflect the activities that the children had been involved in. The teachers were obviously delighted by this addition to a previously plain, austere room.

On Tuesday afternoon, we left Ahangama on our way to Colombo. The next two days were spent in Colombo in reflective mood, with an impromptu review session in a branch of Pizza Hut. Indeed, while in Pizza Hut in Colombo, we became aware of how globalisation was re-defining behaviours. As a Westerner, I decided to wear a sarong to visit a Western Eatery within an Asian city. When we arrived, we encountered Sri Lankans dressed in a very Western style, eating at a very Western establishment who were clearly amused by a Westerner wearing a sarong. Without saying, contemplating this over dinner was daunting, but nonetheless entertaining!

Our final day was spent relaxing on the beach at the Mount Lavinia Hotel for a well-deserved rest!