VISITORS FOR THE WEEKEND

Last weekend we were fortunate enough to have friends from home come and stay for the weekend. A couple of days is not long to show off the best that Sri Lanka has to offer, so it was definitely an action-packed weekend.


First stop after the airport was Colombo. We visited a family that lives on the train tracks. We had a delivery of art materials to make here. We had discovered a young lad with artistic talent and we were equipping him to start a small business making and selling cards. The good news for him is that he already has his first order.







Saturday morning was spent with a group of children we have been doing English classes with. They learnt a new song and loved performing a story in drama.










We read them a story from a book.













An art activity was a special treat for the children. They enjoyed tracing and decorating their hands.











One of the finished products.












We then headed off to have lunch with a local family. After lunch, there was a special music lesson and a bit of a sing-along. I'm sure you can imagine this boy's delight when he was told he was being given this guitar to keep. He kept practising for hours afterwards while we drank tea and admired wedding photos.







Sadly, though, all good things must come to an end. By Sunday morning it was time for our friends to move on. There was time for a whirlwind tour of Negombo; the heart of the town, the vegie markets, the fish markets, the boats on the lagoon and the all-important shopping centre for the obligatory box of Sri Lankan tea. Then a peaceful coffee on the beach strip before dashing off to the airport. Oh, how time flies when you're having fun!

BIG BUSINESS IN SRI LANKA

As part of our work we are helping people to start their own business. This is based on what skills they possess and the needs of a particuar area. As a result, we have been learning a bit about the way business works in Sri Lanka.

The road that we travel to take the children to school is a very busy road. In reality, it is probably better described as a very busy sealed track. Noting the amount of traffic, an enterprising young lady decided that it would be an ideal place to put her little stall. This sells fruit, nuts and a few vegetables that passers by could pick up. It must be a success because it is still there even after a few months. This success was obvious because shortly after someone else had decided to cash in on it. Another lady has set up a stall selling exactly the same thing right next to hers. Anywhere else this would cause no end of anomosity, but not in Sri Lanka. Both of these stalls are operating right next to each other still.

The exact same principle has created a lot of the small towns around Sri Lanka. This is extremely obvious on the road to Kandy. First you pass through cashew town, where young girls flag down passing cars to sell cashews - this waving becomes quite animated when white skin is seen. You will then pass through cane basket town, followed by clay pot village and lastly hot salted corn place in the middle of nowhere (maybe soon to be village).

In Colombo there are entire districts that are dedicated to one particular industry or selling a particular product. Although respectful of each other, competition is fierce. This results in any small difference being scrutinised and duplicated. So a successfull shop will inevitably have their signs copied. Trying to identifiy a partcular shop can be difficult but on the up side if I need a clay pot I know which town I need to go to.

THE MOMENTS I'VE MISSED

When I was a child my aunty gave me my first camera for my birthday. I remember my Grandma telling me that I should take it with me wherever I go because you never know when the perfect photo opportunities might present themselves. Today's post is all about how I should heed my Grandma's advice more diligently. I want to share with you four fleeting moments I wish I could have captured on camera but, sadly, I did not have it with me.

The first moment occurred while I was waiting outside the shipping agents while Darren was trying to organise the arrival of our goods into the country. On the opposite side of the street was a long, rendered wall, standing a good couple of metres high. It seemed to be an old wall, although sometimes it is hard to judge. It's grey surface was patterned with blacks and greens where the climate and time had played their hands. Even on it's own it held an interest for the eye. A lady hurried past and the vibrant yellows and oranges of her punjabi suit and head scarf shone out against the backdrop of this timeless wall. The brilliant colours billowed as the wind played with the materials and then in a moment both she and her colours were gone. In that instant I knew that this was the stuff that travel photographers would dream of and I felt like I had, indeed, stepped straight inside a travel book complete with beautiful, glossy photographs.

The second moment was found and missed on a trip to take the boys to school. As you drive along the streetsides are busy with a steady stream of bicycles and pedestrians, streetside stalls, shops and homes. I like to try and look further back, trying to catch glimpses of what lies behind the busy street side. That morning I caught sight of a large shed, or it is probably more appropriate to call it a lean-to; large sheets of corrugated iron held up by poles and boarded around with rough planks. There was little inside the shed; a dirt floor and one basic, wooden bench upon which sat a man, perhaps a little past the prime of his life. He wore a t-shirt and a pair of shorts, both of which had clearly seen a lot of work, and his feet were, naturally, bare. Around him, little beams of light pushed their way into the otherwise dark area through the multitude of holes in the tin and cracks between wooden planks. They shone brightly, catching the dust that was floating in the air. One of those moments where light plays so perfectly with shadow and the subject seems to display the very essence of humanity. Ah . . . so perfectly designed for a photo and then in a second the van had moved on and, once again, the busy streets dominated.

For the third moment I actually had the camera with me, but again we were travelling in a van . . . so quickly moving on. We were on our way back from hiking in World's End, which is situated in national park. It was a Thursday and, as it turns out, Thursday is wood collecting day. On Thursdays, locals have permission to collect firewood from within the domain of the park. As we travelled out of the park we passed several women carrying firewood. After collecting the long, thin branches, the women bundle them up and carry them home, balanced upon their heads. It was an amazing sight to see these women emerging from the forest hills piled up with sticks. Sadly, I was too embarrassed to ask the driver to stop so that I could happy-snap this delightful image and now, as I write this, I am kicking myself. Next time I go back to Horton's Plains I am going on a Thursday.

The final moment I wish to share with you was seen on a trip home from school with the boys. Ttwo men were walking down the street carrying a single bed. Now, I'm pretty sure that you have a mental image of two men carrying a bed between them, one at the head and the other at the foot. However, these men were carrying a bed EACH! The mattresses had been removed and so had two of the slats in the centre of each bed. Each man then stood in the middle of the bed where the removed slats had once been. They carried a wooden pole over their shoulders, as though bringing water from a well, but each end of the pole was attached to an end of the bed by a rope. They then walked down the road carrying their respective beds around them, bearing the weight with the pole on their shoulder. Amazing!!

So I wish I had my camera with me to capture those moments. I know they are captured in my mind but it would have been so much quicker and easier to share them with you visually than verbally. So I hope that my humble attempts to make words serve me have inspired your imaginations so that they too might see these beautiful, fleeting moments. We're off to do an English class this afternoon. Think I might just go and pack my camera now, before I forget.

JAYMON'S BIRTHDAY

Jaymon is now five. Although his birthday was on Friday, according to him that was only the day that he was turning five. He wouldn't actually be five until after his party on Saturday. You can't argue with that logic. I know - I tried and failed.

As is the tradition, we had a party and - against the tradition for children's parties - we didn't go to Maccas. We thought that a pool party would be great. It is always warm and we wouldn't have to organise many activities.

Then came the rain or, should I say, and the rain kept coming. We have had maybe two dry days in the last two weeks. So we went to plan B and moved the party inside, which was quite successful although more work! I bought some huge balloons which popped proportionally louder than their smaller cousins, like crackers going off. There was literally a cheer from the parents when the last one popped. After some inside games the kids were getting restless. Fortunately the rain stopped enough for a game of lolly hunt in the garden and by the time cake was eaten and I let off another a king size party popper (it was as big as a roll of wrapping paper and fires a wheelbarrow full of streamers, all for $4.00-bargain) the show was begining to wind down.
Finally we were able to use the pool. How great is that?! Even though it rained all morning it was still warm enough for a swim.

NIWTON AND WINNETHA

As part of our priorities here we are providing money to Sri Lankans to start their own small businesses. I have given an insight into one of these already (see The Eggman - Niwton).



The other is Winnetha, a single mother who previously had a sewing business until her machine broke beyond repair. As so often is the case, she didn't have enough money to buy a new one. We gave her a loan so that she could buy a new machine. She currently makes pillow cases and sheets from offcuts from the large garment factories that are in her area. Any offcuts that are too small for this are used to make doormats. The thread that she uses is also from the garment factories, now too small to be used in the automated machines.



The business has progressed in the last two months and she now has a regular order of 100 pillow cases a month. Her son makes these deliveries and sells the goods on a bike she was able to buy from the profits. He also maintains the machines and assists with the cutting and is learning some basic tailoring. Here in Sri Lanka, most of the tailors are men so this hopefully will give him some opportunity in that field.


On my last visit we collected the monthly repayment and got some feedback on her business and how it is impacting her. She tells me, "Having the business has given me a hope for the future because I am in control of my income." Previously Winnetha relied on odd jobs and the generosity of others in her community and family to survive. She also mentions that having to make repayments keeps her accountable and committed to her work.



Winnetha hopes in the next 12 months to sell her machine so that someone else can start a small business in another area and buy a more sophisticated machine. She will then be able to make more than just simple items and increase her profit.



We are currently looking at three more businesses to start up in the next few weeks. This is something that is making an obvious change in people and we are excited with what the future holds.

FLASH THOSE PEARLY WHITES!

Living in a country where English is not the mother tongue, I have come to a greater appreciation of how vital communication is to each of us. Almost every moment of every day we are communicating to those around us, or afar, often without being aware of it. And yet, after months of developing new language skills, it is only fairly recently I came to a greater awareness of the significance of a communication tool that transcends language, is learnt in infancy and can be used by all.

The smile. There is some piece of trivia that surfaces occasionally (I'm sure you will be familiar with it) exhorting us to smile as

frowning requires the use of many more muscles. It seems like a trite piece of trivia but
further thought might encourage us to put those smiling muscles to

work. We all know that a smile can show that you're happy but so much more can also be communicated with a simple smile

A smile can be disarming. It can show that I come in peace and mean no harm. It can ask you to trust me and can indicate that I only intend to treat you with kindness.

With a shy smile, accompanied perhaps with a drop of the head or lowered eyes, one can show deference to another, humbly requesting that they treat you with kindness and sympathy. Or one might use a broad smile and a nod of the head for a confident greeting.

A stranger can be made to feel welcome and accepted with a friendly beam. Without a word, they can be made to feel safe and at ease. A smile in return can communicate appreciation for these simplest of kindnesses.










A smile allows us to tease or flirt. A coquettish smile and fluttered eyelashes can win a heart. Yet a leery grin can have completely the opposite effect. And, girls, don't we well understand the importance of knowing when a smile should be absent!














A goofy grin can be our apology when we are feeling socially awkward. In return, a friendly smile can ease the discomfort of the one who feels so very out of their depth.










A smile can show our approval; for a tasty meal, a child's artwork or someone's hard efforts. Our smile can bring encouragement to others who have possibly poured their heart and soul into what they have done and simply want to feel appreciated.










All without a word! It's amazing how much can be communicated in a fleeting moment and how little we realise what we are 'saying'. What's more, do we ever fully appreciate how much effect these communications can have on others? So, smile! Besides, it takes much less effort than frowning.

WHEN OUR FRIENDS CAME TO PLAY

August was a very special month for us. First there was the long-awaited arrival of our belongings from home. It actually took us a little by surprise. One moment we were sitting having dinner, the next moment the phone rings and we hear that everything was on it's way from Colombo to our door. And it's only taken 7 months! So in the space of a couple of hours our house went from quiet and calm to a madhouse of action and boxes, right in time for . . .

. . . the much anticipated arrival of mum, dad & grandma, whose plane landed four hours after our boxes arrived on our doorstep. To add to the chaos, Prince rings at midnight to say that the road to the airport has been closed for a minister and he wasn't being allowed through to pick up everyone. Finally, Prince and his friend got through in time to find my family but then they all had to wait again because Prince wasn't allowed to bring the van in to get them. Finally, all the fuss of the minister subsided and everyone was allowed to leave the airport.

Well, it should be needless to say that we had a wonderful time with mum, dad and grandma. Lots of swimming, eating, shopping (well, for mum & dad anyway), relaxing and sight-seeing. The boys were particularly happy to be showered with all the love and affection of their grandparents again. We were very sorry to see them go again when the fortnight was over.

However, there was no time for things to slow down. The day before my family left, we had a group of 19 people arrive from Australia for us to look after . . . or did they look after us? Probably a bit of both really. These guys stayed for 10 days and did all manner of activities; work and play. Too much to go into great detail, except to say thanks to them all for sticking, stacking, packing, talking, teaching, playing, giving, looking, recording, painting, gluing and most of all for caring.


So, thanks for the memories . . .