Since the last time I wrote a diary entry things have picked up speed here in Sri Lanka. Our leader’s leg may still be in a cast, but we have been going full pace getting various community projects organised and implemented. Each of the team has been assigned their own project for which they are to take responsibility. Mine is establishing a weekly group for women in the village of Vikumgama where they are able to learn the necessary skills so that they can make and sell their own handicrafts, something which has already proved challenging yet rewarding.

This process began approximately 2 weeks ago when we held our first meeting to discuss what the aim of this programme would be. We had arranged with the villagers to meet at 4pm, but since everyone runs on Sri Lankan time, people appeared in dribs and drabs for the next hour until we were faced with a room of 40 expectant faces. The turnout was incredibly positive, however the next issue we encountered was the dreaded language barrier; our interpreter was also running on Sri Lankan time. Eventually the meeting got going and it was agreed that th            e course would run for 3 hours on a weekly basis, with women in the village leading and teaching the others the skills necessary to make dresses and bags that can be sold for profit at a later date. A list was compiled of all the items that would need to be purchased and I was given the task of shopping (something which I have always excelled at in the past!) However even this was not without its issues. Having already gained some insider tips on the best places to buy sewing materials we headed to said shop. The shopkeeper was incredibly helpful, but again language barriers hindered our progress. Having already spent 2 hours in this establishment, the shopkeeper reappeared with what seemed to be half of the shop with a price tag to match such an amount. Further negotiations ensued and eventually we were on our way to the first lesson.

I have attended two classes so far, and whilst I have not understood most of what is being taught to us, the odd glimmer of enlightenment shines through. During the first class we (or those who understood what was going on at least) were taught how to take measurements to make a pattern for a blouse. The only English phrase which came out during the whole class was when a tape measure was used from “nipple to nipple.” If I take nothing else away from these lessons I will always remember this handy tip if I ever feel inclined to make dresses! I actually had these measurements demonstrated on myself in the second class, much to my bemusement and the hilarity of the rest of the women. In 2 short sessions I have learnt that I may never be cut out to be a seamstress and that my sewing ability is quite literally laughable, but also that some things transcend language and cultural differences like the hilarity of a bemused foreigner being measured from “nipple to nipple.”