Volunteers 2008

Hi, we are the Project Sri Lanka group 2008; 15 students from all year-groups and studying a wide range of academic subjects. We have spent most of the year planning for this trip and have fund-raised in a number of ways. Many of the group have run half- marathons and bravely sky-dived. We have also organized events such as a Celildh , bar quizzes and charity auctions. In addition, we have been on a number of fancy-dress bucket-shaking bar-crawls, sold mince pies, pancakes, Sri Lankan tea and agreed to sponsored silences. The money we have raised has been used to fund a community building in the village of Gandarawatte, on the South-Coast of Sri Lanka, constructed with the help of the Sarvodaya Organisation. We will be teaching at the pre-school here over our two month stay. In addition, we will be running conversational English lessons for the young adults and school children of the village and instructing artistic and sporting activities. As well as this, we will visit Moraketiara School, a school funded by Rotary International, to teach English, Drama, Dance, Music and Sport.

We extend our thanks to the Sarvodaya Organisation and Rotary International, without whom this project would not be possible. We hope that you enjoy reading our diary entries.

Olivia

Hi, I’m Olivia, I’m at Josephine Butler College, and have just completed my first year in Anthropology and Sociology. I heard about Project Sri Lanka at its inception as I live in Durham, and have been following its development ever since. I am very proud to be playing a part in rebuilding communities affected by the tsunami. In particular, I want to pass on my experience and passion for sport to the village community as a way of engaging in their culture.

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Charlotte

Hi, I’m Charlotte and I’ve just finished my second year studying Law at Durham. I’m very pleased to be involved with Project Sri Lanka and particularly support the emphasis placed on cultural exchange and building lasting international educational links

Sally

Hi, I’m Sally, and I’ve just completed my first year at Durham studying Natural Sciences. My main hobbies are music and art, which I hope to put to good use throughout my time in Sri Lanka. I’m looking forward to all aspects of the project, in particular, helping to develop our pre-school in Gandarawatte.

Tom

Hi, I’m Tom, I’ve just graduated in History, and will be starting a law conversion course in London in September. I applied for Project Sri Lanka because it struck me as a fantastic opportunity to benefit others, whilst broadening my skills and experiences. Living and learning together with people from a completely diffeent culture is a thrilling prospect, which I intend to enjoy to the fullest. To be able to offer valuable English teaching is the icing on the cake of an already impressively coherent framework for helping to deliver lasting, sustainable change for the better.

Bobbie

Hi, I’m Bobbie Davies and I’ve just graduated in history from St Chad’s College. Having been a member of the DUCK Exec in my third year, I am delighted to be able to finish my university life with a DUCK Expedition, and to continue such rewarding work with the support of the university. My main hobbies include sport, so in particular I can’t wait to teach the children some British sporting activities. I will also relish the opportunity to meet new people and experience a totally unique culture.

Sophie

My name is Sophie Payne and I am Co-Chair of this year’s project. I have been at Hatfield College for the past three years and recently graduated with a degree in Law. I was attracted to Project Sri Lanka because I believe it will be a great cultural experience. In addition, I am excited that money we raised has provided Gandarawatte with a brand new community building which will be used by future generations, and that the whole village will be able to use and benefit from. I am most looking forward to getting to know the children and learning about Sri Lankan culture during our two months stay.

Nicole

My name is Nicole Kirke and I am currently studying Psychology. I have just finished my first year at university. I wanted to come to Sri Lanka for the experience. I thought it would enable me to learn more about myself and another culture. I have been put in charge of Art, Music and Drama, which I fell will help improve my confidence.

Lorna

Hi, my name is Lorna Taylor, I have just graduated with a degree in Modern Languages and was at St Chads College. I am really looking forward to spending the summer in Sri Lanka and getting to know the people in Gandarawatte and Moraketiara. Following my experience teaching English on my year abroad I am Education Leader for the 2008 project. I hope that by the end of the summer the school’s students will be more confident in speaking English and that we will all have learnt something about Sri Lankan culture.

Maddie

My name is Maddie Colin and I have just finished my second year at Trevelyan College studying Philosophy. I am the Health and Welfare Leader for the group. I was drawn to this scheme because of the long-term commitment to the people in this area. In comparison to one-off donations or visits, I believe that through Project Sri Lanka I have the chance to make a lasting difference to people where lives were devastated. The prospect of living in Buddhist community for two months was also a very persuasive factor.

Emma

Hello, my name is Emma Rowley. I have just finished my first year at Collingwood College studying Biology. I hope to understand the Sri Lankan culture better and also to make a positive impact on the Children’s lives in Gandarawatte and Moraketiara and hopefully their English will improve as well as my Sinhalese!

Becky

My name is Becky Riding. I have recently graduated fro St Johns College, with a Combined-Honors degree in Social Sciences, specializing in Psychology, Sociology and Education. I am looking forward to working with and learning from the people of Moraketiara and Gandarawatte, from pre-schoolers to village elders. I hope that the project will enable me to become fully involved in the life of the community

Helen

My name is Helen Kirkland and I have just graduated from Durham with a Philosophy and Theology degree. I feel very privileged to be part of Project Sri Lanka 2008. I am really looking forward to getting to know the people in Gandarawatte and Moraketiara and learning about the Sri Lankan way of life.

Kirsti

My name is Kirsti Endelman. I have just finished my first year studying Combined Social Science with particular interest in Politics, at Hild Bede. Project Sri Lanka, I feel will provide, an interestingly in-depth experience of the culture, people and environment of Sri Lanka. I thoroughly look forward to volunteering within a small community where hopefully we can really get to know each other

Louise

Hello, my name is Louise Fowkes. I have just graduated with a Philosophy and Theology degree from Grey College, Durham University. I am so pleased to be part of Project Sri Lanka 2008! I greatly admire what the project has achieved over the past two years and hope to help continue its inspiring work. I am particularly looking forward to teaching English, Drama and Dance at Gandarawatte and Moraketiara. In addition, I hope to learn a great deal through being immersed in Sri Lankan culture for two months.

Mark

My name is Mark Backhouse. I have just finished my first year at Durham studying Chemistry and Physics. I am looking forward to working in Gandarwatte and Moraketiara school helping teach English and sports. Having visited Sri Lanka two years ago I am excited to return and deepen my knowledge of the Sri Lankan way of life.