This week, Kara, Liam, Dhanya, Joe, Lauren and I returned to Kirelawela, which was thoroughly enjoyable, especially as we now know all the children individually.The pre-school children were keen to show us how they had improved at singing ‘The Wheels on the Bus’ and ‘Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes’ and during the course of the week we realised how much the teacher’s level of English has improved since our arrival.
 
The afternoon session was particularly successful and attendance from children of all ages was high. Lauren introduced the game ‘Splat!’ to some of the older children which kept them entertained for the entire week! The team also purchased a football which definitely went down a storm with the boys!

As the cultural show is fast approaching, we have started to teach the children some English songs, including the classic S Club 7’s ‘Reach for the Stars’ and the hymn ‘He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands’. The children picked up the words really well and especially loved the actions that accompany the songs. We have even got the words of a Sinhala nursery rhyme which Kara and I are attempting to teach to the group (along with actions!) in time for the show.
 
The one thing that really stood out to me in Kirelawela so far this week, is the way in which we have totally been welcomed in as part of the community; the local people know our names as we do theirs, and what once was a shy smile in their direction is now a blossoming conversation.  We were even invited to a two year old’s birthday party where we ate lots of cake and were introduced to some Sri Lankan party games!
 
I feel sad that this will be my last entire week spent in Kirelawela, but I am confident that the time spent in the village has really had a long lasting effect on both our team and the local community.