Due to nationwide strikes by University lecturers in Sri Lanka, it has not been possible for this year’s team to visit Colombo Universities Sri Palee campus as originally planned.

However, the Rotary club in Colombo have kindly offered to assist in organising a replacement programme in a rural school close to the town of Weligama.  Myself and three other members of the team were invited to attend a meeting and dinner in Colombo to discuss arrangements and to provide us with the opportunity to find out more about the Rotary’s work in Sri Lanka.  Professor Joy advised us before leaving the UK that we would need to come prepared with formal clothes suitable for the Hilton Hotel and that as team leader, I would also need to prepare a speech. As a jeans and jumper girl kind of girl more used to outdoor living, the prospect of a formal dinner event in a posh hotel was more than a little daunting!

On the night, I wore a dress for only the second time ever.  Arriving into the lavish foyer of the Colombo Hilton, I felt completely overwhelmed and Chris commented it was the first time he’d ever seen me flustered.  I was relieved to be shown into a small conference room with more modest décor away from the grandeur of the main lobby which was beyond anything I have experienced before.  The Rotarian’s were really friendly and welcoming and I soon began feeling much more at ease.  As the meeting began, we heard the letters of requests for Rotary assistance from communities in need around Sri Lanka.  The principal of one school wrote asking for financial assistance for his school, where 20% of the children were orphaned and 66% were without shoes.  It was quite humbling to listen to.

After the meeting business was concluded, I delivered my speech on behalf of the Project Sri Lanka team.  I spoke about the Project’s aims, my own background and the team’s commitment to developing educational opportunities for children in Sri Lanka, which was well received by the Rotarians.  Over an informal dinner, we were able to talk to many lovely people who shared similar interests in educational and community work both in Sri Lanka and further afield.  We were able to arrange a visit for the next day to Ahangama, the rural school the Rotary are hoping to organise a programme for us in which was a great outcome of the meeting.

Despite my initial nerves and reservations, it proved to be a magical night and I feel very privileged to have been given such an opportunity by the Rotary Club.  We all met some lovely people and received kind invitations to visit other worthy projects in Sri Lanka.  It is certainly not an occasion I will forget easily.