Day 9 in Puloly

I rode on a bike!!!!!! hehehehe....I didn't ride it but I just rode on it yet. Well I will get there soon. Anyways, let me tell you the story of how I got the chance of doing that. We went to Nallur, where God's Own Children headquarters is. I would have mentioned it before as that was the first place I came to in Jaffna after arriving at Colombo. I went there on a long long bur journey about an hour or more. But it was a really good ride. I like seeing how the real Jaffna looked like. I enjoyed watching school kids riding together on bicycles, farmers toiling under the hot sun and how the cows did their nice cow dunks along the road side of course. LOL. Anyways, it was just beautiful and i have no idea how to explain it until one comes and experiences for himself.During mu bus ride I also saw something very unique and interesting. A school girl boarded the bus and she had to be standing because there was no space. There was a lady who was sitting opposite her and she offered to help keep the girl's bag on her lap until she got off. The girl took the offer. The rest of the way I didn't see them talking at all. The lady took full responsibility over the bag and the girl looked very comfortable. It was nice to see it because there is this sense of closeness I see amongst them. It's like they care for one another and they have so much trust...I guess the world has to work that way if they want to survive.Well I see very little of such things in Singapore with almost everyone caught up with their own little worlds.Urgh.

Anyways, at the headquarters the first question I was asked was if I had eaten yet and that if I wanted to eat. It was really interesting because I think it is the Sri Lankan habit to make sure everyone has eaten and no one gets left behind. Back at the'home', the staff make sure I eat. Every single person will be so concerned if I don't eat and they will buy for me food items I like thinking that I don't like the food. They are totally wrong it's just I have a small appetite. The staff are amazing because they really care for me like I am one of their own girls here. I guess that's why it is easy for me to stay here because no one gets left behind.

So what they made me do this time was to feed me ice cream which is my favourite dessert at Rio Ice Cream Parlour. And of course I got there by riding on a bike.YEY. It was short but sweet. I was satisfied.I have never seen such a big cafe before just for ice creams. Seriously. They make their own ice creams and there are loads of varieties. It was really nice. I enjoyed eating Strawberry Ice Cream, for the first time. LOL. Then, hahaha, Dr.B.Anankumar Sir called Ms.Nanthini and tolde her to this place called MAlayan Cafe. It is funny because, he was all the way in Colombo. He called to tell us where to go eat for lunch in Nallur, Jaffna. I thought to myself, man he is thinking about food all the time!!! lol. He is probably going to kill me seeing this post but it is apparently quite normal to put food before anything for Sri Lankans. Which should be the way, as they make awesome spicy and tasty food. Earlier on my phone I was looking at pictures of food back in Singapore and I was practically drooling because I got reminded of my favouite spots like, Marche,Cafe Iguana and NYDC!But I later realized, I am probably going to miss the food here once I am gone. Haiz...Part of Life!

I got back to reality, after a long ride back to 'home'. I was happy with my oldest group.They were really goos today. They were attentive, they had revised and they were fun. I really enjoyed them. Group 2 was pretty much there but still a bit slow and playful but I guess that is how they are naturally. The youngest kids class...hmmm....still not there yet. They beg me to teach them because they want to learn so badly but it is difficult when they don't do the homework. Then I taught about how primary school was for me and I so thanked god to have made me sit through all the homework because it did actually work and probably homework is one of the crucial parts of school. So people, don't dread it because it makes you smarter even you without realizing. NOT A JOKE!To top it all off, Dhurshanthan, our soul driver thought me how to ride the auto and made me practice driving all the way to the kitchen and back! I thought I was going to kill someone but thankfully there was the break! Haha. I just spilled a little bit of curry here and there. Hehe.

Oh just in case you have seen the kitchen yet, well it is below. Pretty soon I will be cooking there! hahahah...

Day 8 In Puloly

What I thought was going to be dull and slow day turned out to be as exciting as all other days....haha. I wouldn't deny that I was suffering in silence in the morning when there was practically nothing much to as compared to the life in Singapore where one can't even find the time to just sit and stare at the ceiling. But I was blessed with that here.As much as I would like to complain I know I enjoyed every bit of it-being brain dead.

There came a point where I had to go out in search of a card reader to upload more pictures, as you can see that there aren't many because I smartly left mine back at home. Anyways, since shops close pretty early here, just like how the sun shines damn bloody early at like 5.30am, I had to push some of my classes back to go in between classes. It was awesome because that was when I realized I was out in the evening when the sun was going down. I had my potato bajji again....I already decided I am going to bring a whole box back home before I leave.LOl. Today was exceptionally good. I think I was in a hyper mood ready. Then, we were riding back when we decided to try another Jaffna special item which is mini prawn vadai. It tasted really interesting. Seriously.Haha. On the way back I was just thinking in my head, how much I enjoy traveling, looking around and experiencing the local life. My advice on traveling is that don't try planning ahead because the smallest unexpected things will spice up your life and another one is to travel alone. I am enjoying my freedom man! I got to ride an Auto, drink things that I wouldn't be able to try with parents or even siblings around....shooooo. hahaha. I really like it. I think I tend to notice things around me better and feel free that I have to take care of myself and no one else. I came here knowing that I will only be teaching but I have experienced a lot more things which I wouldn't have gotten the chance to experience anywhere else. I guess it is really THE journey in Sri Lanka.

Day 7 in Puloly

It was like a day off for me from teaching. The girl's had counseling class to attend and the boys were busy cleaning up their room. So I got to visit The Pentecostal Mission a church where Nanthini akka goes. I took my small little bible along to read and hear to their songs. I totally forgot it will be in Tamil but it was different for sure. They served us food. They kept asking us if we wanted more food. I thought to myself that people who are poor or have gone through much challenges in life will know how it feels to go hungry for days. They will feed you whole-heartedly. They are like really good-natured people who give much respect to mankind. I really like seeing that.

Anyways, I go back to the 'home' and then we relaxed for a while withe the staff before setting off to the temple with the boys. They had a lot of fun taking pictures using my camera and all. I also bought them ice creams and it was very nice and different indeed. Like I said, Jaffna special. Oh talking about Jaffna special, Nanthini akka and I walked to the bus station and that was probably the first time I ever walked on the streets of Jaffna, Sri Lanka under the bloody hot sun of course. HeHe. But we also took the local bus which pretty much is a mini-van we see back in Singapore which transport school children. It's a whole new experience being out on the streets than being in a car continuously. I enjoyed every bit of it apart from the million stares I got. Lol.

Today was fun hanging around the children and just going out.You can tell from their faces whether they enjoyed or not. All they kept doing is teasing me and made me take photos with them. They kept asking about getting the photos back.Well I will have to see about that. Lol.

Day 6 in Puloly

I went on a beautiful ride to Kodikamam, where they go to the market to buy groceries at a cheaper cost. It is 45 min from where we are going through a road passing vayals (plantations), cows, goats, temples and even army camps. It was really peaceful. I thought to myself this is exactly what I needed. On the way back, I had "kuchi" ice cream which is a special ice cream made on stick using frozen syrup. I think many of us would be able to recall our childhood memories. Well, that's how it was for me. I really loved it.It was simple, sweet and definitely made a mess. Haha. But that's the fun part of eating ice cream yeah.

We got back soon after for the children's special program where I can do anything with them other then teaching English. So I decided to let them make bookmarks. I gave them some motivational quotes for them to choose and write on their bookmarks which they eventually decorated and signed off.At the end I told them, this only means they have to start reading books. LOL.

This part here I hated doing! Counselling. I had to do some mini counselling sessions to collect factual data for the 'home'. the first boy told me how he had lost his leg in a bomb blast in the last attach. The second boy told me how his siblings have been capture by the LTTE and two yet to be released. Another boy told me how his parents were killed in cell and finally the last one told me how his parents are living in a makeshift camp today because their hometown is being re-built. What do you want me to say to these kids. After the first one onwards I was trying to hold back my tears and I couldn't write whatever they were telling me to write either. I was heartbroken. Thankfully, Ms.Nanthini called me back for some other reason. I quickly left and walked back to the girl's home crying. I just couldn't hold them back. These kids have gone through so much at such a young age. They saw people getting exploded right in front of their eyes and they parted from their family not knowing if they would be able to even see their faces before they die. It's not the Nazi War or the Japanese occupation. It is happening right now, right here in Sri Lanka, right here where the world has moved on forgetting and leaving behind others who really need some of the love they had lost.

To have a break both for me and the boys, I was looking forward to games session but I didn't have much time. I let the boys play street soccer which is the simplified version of soccer as you would know it. I would have loved to join and played with them but I just didnt't feel too comfortable yet I suppose. Apparently, they have been telling Ms. Nanthini that they do like the English lessons and that they are useful. I was comforted by it because I am still doubting my ability in teaching and my ability in teaching English especially. LOL. I was looking at the boys and I really thought to myself god bless these innocent kids. I really really pray to God that they grow up to be the doctor, lawyer or engineer they want to be. I guess I see the importance in English for them.I hope I can give them what they need over the time that I will be here.

Day 5 in Puloly

For the first time in my life, I learned how to drive an auto and i drove it for a good 50m. Don't scorn! Am just a beginner only so have some mercy please! hehe.I also had a peak into one of the big temples here. I must say it is pretty neat and tidy but one thing interesting was that men had to take off their shirts before entering.Thank god they didn't have this rule in Singapore! Haha. Just kidding.

Classes went as usual today. Although I felt I was going a bit too fast for the older students but I think I need to push them bit by bit to move faster because like I said their exams are in December this year.I think the youngest students who would be about 7, 8 and 9 years old were somewhat easy to teach today. I was really relaxed today and I preferred it that way. The youngest student was really sweet, I was pretty hungry by the time i got to their class and they just had their tea time. She walked in, greeted me and offered me a palagaram (indian sweet) and I just wanted to try a bit. She is also the girl who puts my books neatly and cleans up the board to whatever height she can, (she is very short, come on she is a kid) everyday after class. And it is really sweet of her to just offer me something she had brought for herself. I was really touched by what she did.She is really young and she can think selflessly. I can't imagine how people outside call themselves so educated and all but all they can ever think about is how much money they are going to earn and how good they look at themselves. If every rich man offered something small to poor wouldn't the world be a better place.

Day 4 in Puloly

I was able to get out a bit for some kind of sight-seeing. Ms.Nanthini sneaked me out to the fish market to take a look at the local market there. It was pretty interesting how fishermen bring their catch in huge sacks and just spill them out plastic sheets in any spot of the hall that they could find and start calling out for customers. These are what you call businessman too you know.

I also had a taste of the local mangoes which were really amazing although they are really half the size of mangoes you see in Singapore. Actually coming to think about it, everything here in Jaffna is small, from potatoes to tomatoes to carrots...everything is what they call in their natural size. In Singapore, all the imported items are huge because of the amount of "nutrients" farmers give to the seeds to make them fat and juicy. They are also the cost of many health problems today too!

Talking about vegetables, the vege market looked really scrmptuos because of its colors. Although it was set under a small tent enough for about 6 businessman, it looked neatly messed up and 'bright and cheerful' as they saying would go.hehe By the way that's my own saying.

I got back and there was no electricity. And the sun didn't do us any good by greeting us constantly in the afternoon. During this time where I didn't want to use up energy by moving around I stationed myself in one corner hoping that I won't sweat anymore. The lovely staff gathered around me and we had a nice chat throughout the black out (day out propably!) which lasted for three hours. It really does help that the people here are so homely, welcoming and comforting. Being homesick ever since I stepped foot on Sri Lanka, these lovely souls are really are helping me to make me feel at home. I like the feeling. They are easy to talk to and they are really concerned about my diet! hahaha...What do I like to eat is their favorite question? They keep buying me food I like and just put in the fridge so that I will eat. Food is not the problem but my appetite is. haha.

Anyways, classes started short after. I wasn't feeling too well by then so classes were a bit slow but I got better by the end. I had a tough time teaching but it was a bit helpful when I knew some of the kids had revised and could somewhat answer my questions. Better still, they even asked me questions which I was delighted about it because it meant that they were thinking and they wanted to know about something. I really want to tap on their shoulder and say they are helping me to help them.

The younger kids' classes are getting a little tougher on the other hand. I am not sure is it because they are getting to know me more that they become more playful in class or is it just that they are being kids all the time. I have yet to master some skills to make them shut up probably.hehe. Well as in make them talk when they are supposed to and keep them quiet when I need them to do it. Hope I don't sound too harsh. haha.

Day 3 in Puloly

I feel like I am going very slow in lessons with the kids and that they might get bored with me repeating the same but I also feel like I need to keep repeating what i say for them to understand. It isn't easy at all. I am almost teaching the same thing to a Grade 6 student and a Grade 11 student who will be taking his O level this year.They have studied all of what I am saying, it's just that they had forgotten quite a huge chunk of forming sentences and asking questions.

I am focusing on talking to them because I think they need to get the confidence that they are able to speak it before they get really interested in learning it. I just need to remind myself that these kids are practically afraid of learning it and making mistakes especially when it comes to pronunciation.I just had to be really patient and encouraging for them to fully be able to come out of that fear that has been there since young. Some kids, haven't even studied for the past few years due to the civil wars.

It is not easy living in a country which just survived a war that lasted for 50 years and it surely isn't easy for visitors when they keep earning gruesome stories about killing men, when they see army personnel everywhere and when everyone keeps on saying they don't know what's going to happen next? It's almost as if they are living in fear and insecurity.When I was talking to the Sri Lankans here, they mentioned that they are living here with nothing to hold on to. There is no sense of belonging because their tradition and culture, books and poetry are gone. Because of the war. That's when I started to appreciate what I have back in Singapore. Our heritage centres, our emphasis on our mother tongue language, and our celebrations are actually really important. It really creates our identity and we must respect it, protect it and treasure it with all our hearts because once it's gone, it's gone forever.

Day 2 in Puloly

The children had a day off from school due to special festival taking place where people would go out and carry kavadis on their shoulders. So classes started earlier and I had the liberty to separate the three groups into smaller groups to get to know their ability better and to teach them in a manner that they would be able to understand. it was a huge task because classes were longer hence I was exhausted. At the same time I felt satisfied that I had done my best to make them understand me.

The kids still do not have the habit of asking questions because what happens in their one hour English lesson in school is that the teacher just talks as much as she wants without any explanation. The teacher doesn't even realize that they don't understand when she says "sit down" or even "shut up" for that matter. That's the whole problem. The teachers don't see what the students need. I on the other hand feel that I do not have time to get to know them individually in terms of their studying capability but instead I try and ask them do they understand every single time I say something new. There well always be the goats' eyes staring at me, in blur, which clearly means they have no clue. It only means one thing. That is it is in my hands to make them understand. It isn't their fault that they do not know so much but if they are taught by someone now, of course I do expect them to know it as soon as possible.

At night, after resting a little, I went out to just check on the kids during their studying time and I was amazed. Some students would be cramping up on some tables to do their work while others took their own chair and sat under whatever dim light they could find even a lamppost. Then they would recite page after page to memorize their topic. Halfway through the reading the page aloud there will be a silence to find that ant that had bitten their bare feet and then continue where they had stopped. I can only think about Singaporean kids, where they would be complaining if the light is a color that they don't like it to be or the table is rocking back and forth. Here, it seems like whatever the situation is they will be studying hard. It is heartwarming to see how these kids put education before anything even their own families. Hats off to Puloly kids!

Day 1 in Puloly

I woke up with a swollen eye and many bumps on my hands probably because it was blood fresh from Singapore. hehe.

At 5am, the children have light physical training so I went to peep in to see how it usually goes when i got distracted by a girl's wailing. She was crying so loudly in ear pain calling out for her mum.The staff rushed her to the hospital and I got to know these things are very common there. I was thinking in my head, if it was to happen to me in Singapore, me being the kid of the house everyone would have woken up to attend to me. But these kids have no one but the home. That's all there is to it.

Later in the morning, two girls had some insect bite on their feet and they were literally limping around because it left a deep wound. Yet, they just put a bandage around their feet, put on the shoes that they washed themselves and were joyfully walking to school. Singapore kids probably would have taken this chance to take the day off from school. hahaha. I am just trying to say that these kids really have the thirst for knowledge. They need it.They want it. It's amazing to see that.

The kids went off and I had the day to do my own things until afternoon English lessons with the children, I had more tasks to do as I was talking Ms. Nanthini. Apart from teaching English to both the staff and children, I have yet to increase communication and co-operation amongst the staff about taking care of the children.
She needed some help with managing them hence I gave some suggestions that have yet to be implemented soon. Hopefully they will work out for people in Jaffna.

Anyways, classes had begun on my first day. Three groups with about 25 students each. I almost got a heart attack on seeing the size. Just kidding. I thought it was a really big group to handle knowing I had no experience in teaching at all.
Well, It was tiring for sure but more than that it was really difficult because in each classes, the students' ability in learning is different and they are all in different grades too. I am going to try and make it work for both them and myself by taking it as a challenge instead of a difficulty.

When in Puloly Children's Village...

I was welcomed by Ms. Nanthini, who is the Manager of the home for children who have lost their parents and family. We sat down, we chatted and....

Have I told you about the hospitality of Sri Lankans? you will never go hungry...
they gave me a plate of rice and curry probably enough for three persons to finish. I was just stuffed. But that just didn't end there...I only came to know they all had planned to make me fat by the time I go back to Singapore.

Then I had a tour around the place. It was really well furnished with comfortable beds, mosquito nets, tables and chairs for the children.I was really impressed. The girls and boys have separate homes with the kitchen in between these two places.

It almost looks like a small village just for the Puloly kids.

Arriving in Jaffna...

took about ten hours bus ride from Colombo. Thank god it was an overnight trip so half the time you would be asleep and the other half you will be trying to sleep.haha. Anyways,it was a short ride to the GOC headquarters cum British Business School that Dr.B.Anankumar runs.

There was a short meeting of introducing myself and the staff there as it was on an early Sunday morning, their off day. The only question that kept haunting me was, Am I not scared? Well, just like the question my answer was short and sweet. If I were to be scare of anything, I can't achieve anything.

We traveled to Puloly Children's Village by the Puloly Children's Village Auto a 3-wheeler donated by old students. It is a transport that helped with transporting staff and students from one place to another which made things a lot more convenient for everybody.

Before I knew it....

I was on the plane at midnight going to Sri Lanka. I didn't know what to expect. All that I was afraid was what if my luggage was going to get lost? lol. Thankfully I arrived at the airport, got my luggages and walked out to the arrival hall.

There I spotted them, two very tired people, Dr Anandkumar and Ms Jecintha, 2nd Chairman, who had received me at 2am from Colombo Airport. I was delighted because it was as if I already knew them from checking out God's Own Children Foundation website, the countless emails sent back and forth and also the numerous numbers in phone calls.

Outside awaited our ride, which brought us straight to the hotel to continue the rest of our sleep.Then later in the morning, I was greeted by the Sri Lankan hospitality by serving good food to my hungry stomach!!!

Booking the tickets

I checked out the flight tickets to Sri Lanka, Colombo and because I was to book early it was a cheap ticket that cost me only $500(Singapore dollars). Then I decided that it's about time to tell my parents! Especially since Dr Anankumar was already awaiting my arrival and I had to book the tickets. It was easier than I thought to get their permission. Probably because I think it will be cheaper for me to stay in Sri Lanka then in Singapore since the mid year sales were around the corner! Lol. I am just kidding. I had to wait for a long one month in which I was busy preparing for my trip.

A month ago....

I was useless, helpless, careless and just brainless right after I received my A'level results. I was wasting my time and lazying around doing things that I didn't like. Then an apple dropped from the tree (just like for Newton) and an idea struck. Why don't I use this time to do something that I am really interested in -travel and do some humanitarian work.

The Internet then became my best friend. I was searching for places to go to, to lend a hand when I stumbled upon God's Own Children Foundation which is a NGO which gives its service to children who were affected by Tsunami and the civil wars in Sri Lanka.

I quickly emailed them and expressed my interest to work with them. A few days later, Dr.B.Anankumar, the Chairman of GOC, contacted me and explained about the volunteering program. Then my journey began....