Day 26 in Puloly and Day 27 in Colombo and Singapore

The blogs have been put up late vue to lack of interent access, flying on a plane, tiredness from the trip. Sorry for the inconvenience caused.

Day 26 in Puloly

I stood in their prayers, I had breakfast with them and I sent them off to school. I didn't tell the children I was leaving rigt after they walked out of the gates. All I wanted to see them do was pinching my cheeks, teasing me, laughing at my jokes and just happiness. I couldn't see myself breaking their hearts. I know I will be back, but just don't know when

Just zooming pas the events. I said goodbyes to everyone, travelled in the auto with 5 people at the back seat, arrieved at the wedding which was really beautiflu with interesting rituals like tying thali inside the Church, it was time for my farewell of which before that we were treated to sarbath, strawberry milkshake is actually what it is, haha....

We sat under the shady trees on the Church benches which were laid outside the Church to make way for the wedding. I loved my farwell. It was a beautiful place with amazing people that I had to leave behind. I was given two framwes with peoms written it wasn't until later that I knew that the tamil one was written by Ms Jecintha and Dr Anandkumar had written the english one. I don't have to say how touched I felt by those poems. Anyways, I gave my speech, my parting speech, my spech of thanking everyone of them for helping these kids, my speech of giving them the confidence that these kids will be saved, and y speech how how much I was going to miss them.

Wedding lunch was a great feast, it felt like the "last Supper" with drinks, food and smiles. I was going to miss each and everyone of them. That's all that was running in my mind.

I spend the day at Ms Jecintha's. Ms Nanthini, didn't want to leave. I didn't want her to leave but she had to get back to work. She cried several times and I couldn't stand near her to see that, because all I wanted is to stay. I can't explain how much each of them mean to me.

Anyways, I was talking to Paki and the other helpers... They kept asking when will I be coming back and If i would even pick up the phone when they called. This is the Sri Lankan Experience: They will make you feel wanted, they make you feel important , but more than anything, they think of you like you are one of them...

It was time for the bus ride. It was time for me to leave Jaffna. It was time for me to go home. I wished it was the other one.It wasn't until the bus started its ten-hour journey that I started crying. I looked out of the window and saw Jaffna passing by me, I saw in my heart and thougt about all the people I cared about dearly...even more than my own family mates, I saw the moon and thought about the kids and how much work there is to be done. The path is a bumby one but there is a route, somewhere...if you try hard, you will find it.

Day 27 in Colombo

I woke up in air-conditioned hotel room, showered in hot water, and walked out on carpet. No more sand, ants or mosquitos, but still I wasn't happy. All my thoughts were back home...home in Puloly.

Sir came in and wished us morning. We had a mini meeting. First thing he told me, I had to set up a facebook account! followed by other things I had to do, which I can't wait for.

We left soon after to see his family. His wife made amazing fish sandwhich and I had my last cups of tea and coffee. She asked to cme and stay with them the next time. I would love to but I don't know when is the next time.

Thank God it was a long ride to the Airport. I had time to spend with Ms Jecintha and Sir. I was already missing them so much. I was hoping I would miss my flight actually but yeah I think that probably would have created more problems.

At the airport, sir told the driver to wait for 2 minutes, I didn't want to take up their time and moreover any longer  would have cried instead I just gave my hugs and goodbyes. Sir teared and I wished I told him, I am going to miss him a lot.

They waved goodbyes while I was inside I stood there helpless I stood there all alone wishing I didn't have a home to go back to. I stood there wishing I did't have a family of my own to take care of. I stood there wishing I could run back into their arms.

I cried once I walked off. I cried because I loved them a lot. I cried because I hold them so dear to my heart.

I am back home and since I came back, at least about ten different people have called to ask me how I am....from the kitchen staff to admin, to the contruction helpers they all have called to ask me how I am and that they miss me and that when am I going back...as muc as I am happy to hear to their voices I am sad that now I have a family in Sri Lanka and I don't know when I am I going to see them again.

Special Thanks to My Sri Lankan Family

The children in Puloly and Atchchuveli, The staff: Nanthini akka, Kamilranjan Anna, Kasturi akka, Tharshini akka, Thursanthan, Karunagaran Anna, Aiyya, Ramila akka, Theepana, Darshini, Sivamalar Ms, Dhaya Ms, Sutharshini Ms, Suganthi teacher, Apple Ms, Sujeevan BBS staff: Romani Ms, Poopathy Ms, Anita Akka, Reegan Anna Friends: Pakitharan and Neerooban and helpers My Sri Lankan parents: Ms Jecintha and family, Dr Anankumar and  family

LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH THANK YOU SO MUCH! GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

Day 25 in Puloly

I wanted to spend the whole day in the home other than visiting the fish market and the sea, which are the first few things I did when I came here. I can't believe time passed by so fast. From the day I came it has been 28 days already, and this is my 25th day here in Puloly Village itself.

The whole day was rather pretty lonely for me. I felt empty from within. My worry is not about leaving. My worry is what I am going to do for them from now on. They did so much for me. They made so many things for me.

It was full-moon day. It is a special day. It is a holiday. They always celebrate it just like last night. It was a whole show which was organized and put up within a few hours filled with dance, singing and the best part poetry recital. The students did bouquets out of paper and plastic flowers. It was really beautiful I have never seen such a thing in my life. It was truly their work and talent which amused me. Some students wrote their won poems;they were funny. They talked about how I came here fair and am going back so dark and that they want to buy for me fair and lovely. Another line talked about how I always said I don't drink tea initially but now I take it even before they could ask. These were their memories of me written in the funniest way possible. LOL.

Ranjan Anna, the boys' home manager also recited a poem, I didn't expect it at all. It was really a beautiful poem written in pure Tamil so not like I could understand every single word, (haha), but I could figure it out. Some of the co-workers also revealed their talent in singing. This is their hobby, making woodcrafts and singing, so no wonder they are really very talented in these things. I finally got to take photos with them.

I had roti prata and a sweet mango as my last meal in Puloly. I loved it. I am going to miss everything here. I am going to miss singing songs while driving in the auto, I am going to miss my hair getting messed up in the wind, I am going to miss the muddy fields but I won't miss the mosquitos, the ants and the sand for sure. LOL. My threading is gone, my waxing is gone, I have gone super dark which is fine as long as it doesn't start peeling and I probably need a pedicure after this. Hahah. I am leaving with an aim. I am leaving to come back and see these kids happier. Oh Oh Oh, and I am surely going to miss this computer room and this particular computer which has been my companion for the last 4 weeks. Thanks to all my fellow co-workers, thanks to the children and thanks to Sir DR.B.Anandkumar and Ms Jecintha.

Journeys in PCV-Part 27

Name: Piratheepan Balasubramaniam
Age: 16 years old
Dad is at home. His mum died during the war, he saw it. He told me the exact time exact date it all happened, so just imagine how would it have been for him. Younger brother is handicapped from birth. Younger sister stays with dad.

They swam across a small sea , in fear to escape getting killed and reached a refugee camp.

Name: Dayan Jeganathan
Age: 17 years old

Mum is at home with a younger sister. Dad died when he was 1 years old. The army captured his dad to do railway building work. Due to lack of safety measure, he died when something huge fell on him.

During the attacks, afraid that they will be captured by their army to be sent to fight, they ran away from the camp to a refugee camp. During floods, they weren't able to sleep as it would be all muddy. Many people had died due to diseases he mentioned.

Name: Kopilan Lokesvaran
Age: 17 years old

Parents are in home living in a tent with 1 elder sister, 1 younger brother, and 1 younger sister. They are all studying.

Dad has cancer doesn’t work a lot. Elder sister is working in a mine removing landmines which is a largely dangerous job. His younger sister was taken away from this home he presently is in, when the government officials came and took the children away two months ago. The sister has a whole in the heart and any shocking news will trigger her off and put her life in danger.

His younger brother was born during the time they were moving camp. He was in camp for one and half years. He didn’t study in camp. He was cooking for his mum and his younger brother in camp.

The tent isn’t stable during the flood times and it causes a lot of hassle for the family. His mum comes to see him in his sister’s earnings.

He said he wants to study well, and get a job to save up for his sister’s marriage who is toiling very hard for him. He wants to make his brother and sister study very well.

Journeys in PCV-Part 26

Name: Piratheepan Ravichandran
Age: 16 years old

Family is in camp. He lost his left leg on the same day he his brother died. It all took place in the house.

He said he thought he was going to die, he was really scared.

He spent 1and a half months in the hospital and one year in camp where he wasn’t allowed to go out of the camp at all.

Food and water were necessities which weren’t provided for survival yet he did.

He said he wants his leg back. He can’t walk or run like the others. He can’t play certain games but he is really good at cricket.

More than anything, he wishes to get his brother back.

Name: Senthooran Yogeswaran
Age: 15 years old

Both his parents are in home. One younger sister is in PCV. His dad can’t use one his hands due to a bomb blast. It blasted at home, both he and his sister got hurt.

They were searching for a place to stay in 3 different districts. Last are was when the army had taken them and put them in camp. He described the place as a huge field with barbed wire surrounding the place and thousands of people cramped up into tents.

Journeys in PCV- Part 25

Name: Yasinthan Jeevaratnam
Age: 14 years old

He is the brother of one of the boys I had put earlier. He said when he saw his father die, his body shivered. He was scared. He had chest pain and he has been having it ever since that day.

When I asked him what he wanted from God, he said he wanted his dad back and that he wanted to study. I think for God’s who especially saw their dad suffer on their laps at the last moment, that’s what they remember most of them, making it difficult for them to move on.

Name: Sarujan Sasikumar
Age: 11 years old

Mum is in camp with younger sister. Dad died when a bomb fell into his house. Everything they had was gone including his beloved dad.

When I asked him how was he feeling at that moment? He couldn’t answer me back, he kept repeatedly saying he saw bombs.

This guy never failed to tease me and I will ask him to shut up. But when I saw him become quiet it was difficult. I kept asking him to talk then. But he wouldn’t.

Journeys in PCV-Part 22

Name:Pirakash Jeyanathan
Age: 11 years old

Mum is in home. Dad died after getting electrocuted by lightning. His twin brother is here in PCV with him. 1 elder brother is in another hostel.

He came here to study as his family couldn’t afford to send him to school there.

Name: Yasvanth Jeyanathan
Age: 11 years old

Journeys in PCV-Part 21

Name:Thinesan Ravindrarasa
Age: 13 years old

Mum in home with younger sister and younger brother. Dad died in war attacks. 1 younger brother in here in “home”.

He saw his father died right in front of his eyes. They were walking to another place to stay when the bomb blasted on his father.

After his father died, they had to go to camp for 1 year. He remembers all the dates of when he went to camp and when left.

He like to be here because his mum is happy that he gets to study.

He wants to be happily living with his mum after he studies as a wish from God.

Name: Dinesan Ravindrasa
Age: 11 years old