Tuk-tuks and teaching

Today we woke and had breakfast and then took the bus to Tanguella which is a neighbouring community to Moraketiara. It is also the location of the School of Fisheries. We received a tour of the school. We saw where the computer classes took place and where outboard motors were repaired as part of the students’ course work. We spent a bit of time with the president of the school and had a cup of sweet tea (what else?) while he told us activity of the fisheries in Tanguella.

He led us to to the harbor where we climbed aboard a fishing boat and met its crew. The devestation caused by the Tsunami had a profound impact on the fishing industry. The fishermen we met had just returned from a month long trip to sea. They work very hard for little pay in an attempt to rebuild the value of the vocation that is their livlihood. They were welcoming and answered our questions with the help of our guide who translated for us. They offered sweet tea and also pepsi, much to my delight.

After climbing off the fishing boat, we tuk-tuk’ed back to Moraketiara to teach afternoon lessons at the school. Tuk-tuks are a popular mode of transportation in Sri Lanka, a three wheeled covered vehicle. The driver sits on the front bench, the back bench is for the passengers. Best suited for three passengers, we were quite comfortable though they can also accomodate families and groups of friends who are keen to squish themselves onto the back bench. It was a lovely drive back to Moraketiara. We were are able to see the coastline and feel the breeze from it.

We taught grade eight’s and nine’s in the afternoon. Our lessons have involved practice speaking and writing basic english phrases, like,’Hi, my name is Erin. I have two sisters. My favorite hobby is reading’. Our lesson also involves singing and learning lyrics to the song We Are the Children which we hope the students will perform at their talent show in a few weeks. The grade eights’s and nine’s were our most energetic group so far in that I served a crowd control function while Claudia and Oliver, who have experience teaching, led the class.

On this day, our new friend, Ishan was celebrating his 19th birthday. Ishan lives with his parents across the road from where we are staying. He has been really helpful and spent lots of time with us translating and pointing us in the direction of things and places we are looking for. Project Sri Lanka has helped Ishan bring his business plan for an Internet Cafe to life over the past year. Since it was a special occasion, we were invited to his house for dinner with his family and friends. We shared a great meal, complete with a yummy custard dessert.