Today was my first visit to Vikumgama since the opening ceremony. As Radhika was feeling under-the-weather, I went on my own and I confess that I felt rather grumpy and ‘unenthusiastic’ about being on my own during the bus ride there. When I arrived, I was greeted by the chorus of ‘Aybowan’ (welcome) from 16 smiling little faces and my negativity was soon forgotten. I had an amazing morning, teaching the children the names of animals, singing ‘Old MacDonald’ with actions and making animal masks, helped along by a University student, Niruba, from the village who spoke excellent English.

After school, a three-wheeler arrived to take me for lunch, but the village women asked if I would like to walk there with them instead. I was only too happy to oblige as it gave me the opportunity to really see the village and practice my rather poor (but developing) Sinhala. I was not disappointed by the walk. After a hot and sticky climb up a hill, the most picturesque scene emerged: bright green paddy fields ripping gently in the breeze framed by the back-drop of hazy palm-tree covered hills stretching into the horizon. Pausing to admire the view, the only noise was the chirping of cicadas and the gentle stirring of trees in the wind. It is such a stunning and serene place.

After a bit of a trek through the bushes, we arrived at my host family’s house for lunch. The young baby, perched on her mother’s hip seemed especially pleased to see me and charmed me with smiles whenever I looked at her. Practicing my meager range of Sinhala language delighted the family and their enthusiasm has buoyed me on to develop my repertoire of vocabulary more. During the course of lunch, the family repeatedly offered me glasses of water to accompany the meal. I am always cautious of drinking water in Sri Lanka unless I am certain it is bottled so I politely declined. Despite being very thirsty, it seemed rude to go to drink the bottled water in my bag after refusing the water offered. Niruba asked me why I did not drink water with my meal so thinking on my feet I explained that my tummy was full with food and drinking water as well would bloat me. This was duly translated to the on looking villagers who decided that my suggestion was a fantastic idea and that they were all going to try avoiding drinking water with meals in future. I am not sure if my smile was more amused or embarrassed for the rippling ‘health trend’ my white lie has created!!

An amazing 57 children came to the after-school club and I had been slightly anxious about how I was going to manage activities for so many kids on my own. It was hard work, but despite this I had one of the most enjoyable afternoons I had during the past 3 years I have come to Sri Lanka with the Project. The children worked really hard on designing the murals they would like to see on the outside of the pre-school and I had a fantastic (but tiring) game of dodge-ball outside with the boys. It felt like I lost half my body weight in sweat in those couple of hours, but it was worth every minute of the effort I put in. They are such an enthusiastic and appreciative bunch of kids and I feel incredibly privileged to have had the opportunity to share those laughter-filled hours with them. When I got arrived home to Moon Bridge, the team asked me why I was smiling to myself over dinner. The simple reply was: ‘because I have had the best day ever’!