Avonbourne Team Visit Miravodai Shakthi School: Reflections on the Trip so far...

On Monday, the Avonbourne Team visited Miravodai Shakthi School in Valaichchenai, located 45 minutes away from Batticaloa. This school of approximately 200 pupils, ranges from years 1-11 and is located in a very poor area that was severely affected by the civil war.

After a very warm welcome by the headteacher, the team split into three groups to do activities with the grade 5 children. That was the plan...

However plans change. 

The excitement was such that those doing exams, promptly finished their exams and joined in the activity, meaning the girls working with lots of children in the morning heat!

Below are some pictures and reflections from the Avonbourne team about their experience of visiting Miravodai Shakthi School and of their experience of Sri Lanka so far.

Miravodai Shajthi Headteacher welcoming the team.

Miravodai Shajthi Headteacher speaking to the team about the school and the difficulties faced by the pupils.

·         So far the trip has been an amazing experience. I have really enjoyed working with the children as it was lovely to see how excited they got over the activities we did with them. Small things such as bubbles and stickers made them feel very happy. We did an elephant safari which was amazing. We were able to see a very wide range of amazing wild life such as elephants, buffalos and deer. I am really looking forward to continuing working in schools.

·        The start of the trip has been amazing. It has been really interesting seeing the different culture and seeing new things. Everyone we met have been so friendly and the children were very welcoming. It was lovely to see how happy even the smallest things made them.  I am excited for the next few days and meeting more of them and learning more about their lives.

A class taking place under a tree due to a lack of classroom space.

·         Our first day arriving in Sri Lanka was an eye opener to what the rest of our trip would consist of. We were welcomed with friendly faces that were willing to participate on our journey alongside Ocean Stars Trust. Although the heat is something we are not used to in the UK the fun activities have enables us to forget about how hot it is slightly. The elephant orphanage, tea plantation, temples and safari are memories that we will treasure and never forget. Our first day in the link school with the children was an experience. It enabled us to have an insight into their culture and everyday lives. Everyone was so willing, friendly and welcoming.

·         So far this trip has shown me many experiences. Such as the life and culture, the tourist attractions, that are available, like a safari, elephant orphanage, and tea plantations. And also the students that we have met. I think that volunteering in the schools today has been beyond amazing and I have realised how they have so little but so much more happiness than us. The energy in the classrooms was incredible and I look forward to making many more memories like today over the next week.

Parachute games

Fun!

·        During this trip I have really enjoyed all he once in a lifetime opportunities such as seeing elephants, monkeys and a range of more animals native to Sri Lanka. Whilst teaching has been an eye opening experience seeing how grateful the children are for little things such as bubbles and hi fives. I can’t wait for the next days to come to teach more children and get to know them and their life style.

I have really enjoyed every moment teaching in the schools and experiencing what their life style and culture is like. The tourist parts of the trip have been exciting and an eye opener. I have learnt so much and now beginning to understand how the charity is helping the schools develop in order to educate. The students at the school are welcoming and energetic as they give everything a go and aren’t shy. This made me realise they appreciate the smallest things that we at home take for granted. It will be something I will never forget.

Dancing in the sunlight...for 90 minutes!

Can you throw the beanbag through the tyre?

·         It was lovely to see the excitement and huge smiles on the faces of the children today. Their gratitude for the receipt of simple presents and stickers. Our students also enjoyed the experience and personally I feel very proud to have been part of the process that has put the two groups together. It is tragic that this region suffered so much devastation but it is also a testament to the resilience and compassion of fellow human beings that this is a place of growth and often considerable joy even though the landscape never lets you forget the legacy of the Tsunami.

Today was quite magical, to see the expressions of delight on the faces of the both the SL students and the Avonbourne volunteers.  This clearly showed how rewarding the experience was for each of these wonderful children and it was a privilege and a lesson in itself. There were so very happy playing simple playground games and engaging in things like dancing that it made us all stop and think about what we take for granted in our daily lives. This trip is more than an experience it is the beginning of a journey where through reflection we will hopefully become better than we were before.

Avonbourne Executive Headteacher Debbie meeting the Miravodai Shajthi Headteacher.

·     

     We had an amazing couple of days touring around and enjoying stunning scenery, sampling tea, learning about herbs and spices, visiting the spectacular Kandy temple and eating a wide variety of curries. The wild life safari was truly stunning: sea eagles, water buffalo, and elephants and there young, chameleons and monkeys to name but a few. Now we have arrived in Batti and I have spent the day working with two schools in an area which suffered the far reaching effects of the tsunami and the civil war. A truly humbling experience seeing how these children live and how few resource they have. In spite of this they were all friendly and welcoming and excited by our visit.

·         I really enjoyed teaching in the schools today. All of the children were so welcoming. It was eye opening because the children were so enthusiastic and valued the time we spent with them despite having so little. The parachute games were a highlight for me as all of the kids got involved. It was nice to see them so excited and happy. I feel really grateful for all that I have at home as these children don’t have the luxuries that I do. Also I enjoyed the safari, seeing the elephants in the wild as amazing.