The journey to Aththudawa can be awkward (two buses and a tuk-tuk) but my favourite part is the tuk-tuk ride.

Getting off the bus near Aththudawa yesterday, we were greeted by a tuk-tuk that was decorated inside and out with Bob Marley pictures, and it became our goal to ride in ‘Bob Marley tuk-tuk’.  This morning, we rode to the preschool in motorised Bob Marley shrine and it started me off in an amazing mood.

The kids at Aththudawa are incredibly cute. One boy is clearly very confident and often acts as the leader. Much to our amusement, he also enjoys pretending to be a monkey, and from the 10.30 am interval onwards, he tends to use a skipping rope as a tail, and hops around the playschool making monkey noises, shouting the word ‘monkey’ and chasing the other children, who often hand him pictures of fruit as though they were feeding a real monkey. Today we had lunch at his house. The meal was delicious yet painful, as his family continued feeding us until we were about to burst. Every meal feels like Christmas dinner, and I often feel like napping after lunch. However, today ‘monkey boy’ brought out his own books and had us teach him the English words for different animals, fruit, and transport. Despite feeling weighed down by lunch, it was fun to have one on one time with one of the kids and to see him enjoying learning. Abi, Ed and I also had our palms read by the boy’s grandfather. According to our palms, Ed will be rich, respected and selfish, and he also loves small children. Abi will be whatever she wants but will be plagued with daily stomach pains, and I will be the best wherever I go, but I will live alone. Wonderful.

Feeling slightly discouraged from my palm reading, the afterschool children cheered me up. They’re all very eager and open to learning. The afterschool session seems to pass by quickly because the kids are so much fun, but I still haven’t gotten over embarrassing myself by having to sing in front of them. However, the most embarrassing (and amusing) moment of the week was perhaps when I was reading a story to the after school kids and asking them related questions. At one point, I was asking for the names of the animals pictured in the story, and when questioning a picture of a rooster, I was answered by a young girl shouting ‘cock’. Ed and I both burst into laughter, and I had to hand the reading over to Abi so I could calm down. Although it is apparent she was referring to ‘cockerel’ some things really are lost in translation.

One event this week that I found incredibly touching was having lunch at one of the house of one of the after school girls. Her family was having an engagement party for her brother and we all felt so honoured that they would invite us in on such a personal occasion. The entire family was very welcoming and the children loved playing clapping games with us as we waited for our food. Once again, they served more food than we could dream of being able to eat, but I’m so grateful for their hospitality. The girl’s father told me that she really enjoys coming to the after school lessons, which made me feel happy that the kids are enjoying the work we’ve been doing with them.  All of the people of Aththudawa that I’ve met this week have beyond friendly, and I feel honoured to have received such a warm welcome into the homes of people that have never met me.