After hearing about the ridiculously steaming weather and long dreadful bus journey to Vikumgama, the last thing I wanted to do was spend a week there. However, just seeing the children smile was enough to make mespend five more weeks with them. For a new pre-school, the children were well-behaved and very fun to deal with. Bharkavi and I were assigned to work at Vikumgama together and I have to say this was an emotional week for us.

The children at the pre-school were so lovely that we wanted to spend more time with them. We conducted various activities such as making ‘play-doh’ butterflies and paper butterflies, signing Sinhalese songs, just to name but a few. They loved every bit of it. The kids cared for each other so much it made me think, if these 3-5 years old kids could be so caring and sensitive to very little situations then there is a lot we need to learn from them. The teacher was exceptional and outstanding as she handled the children properly and made sure their needs – as per regarding the pre-school session – were catered for. It got even better when the after school kids showed great zeal to participate in the program.There were about thirty children – on average – at the after school.This was by far the largest we have had to do but it was so worth it.

Initially, Bharkavi and I thought that the after school kids were going to be cheeky and rude but we were surprised by what they showed us. They were extremely eager to get involved in everything we put on ground, from volleyball tournaments to playing ‘duck-duck-goose’. They were so fun and energetic, they sure made me use up all the energy I had but it was worth it.

The villagers were so lovely and caring that they always stuffed us with food as if we had just finished some religious fasting. Bharkavi and I were so touched by their hospitality and generosity. If anything, we learnt a great deal about caring, showing love and many other things from the children and villagers and we massively look forward to going back there.