Ti-Ratana

Leaving the air conditioned fairly comfortable van; we all got into our double seater delivery cab which was carrying goods, to be donated. Standing on the limited space available, jostling against each other, we had a very uncomfortable bumpy ride. And at the end of it, there was the primary school with a small building. We were greeted by a very enthusiastic group of primary school children and their teaching staff who were eagerly waiting for our arrival. With around 22 students in the whole school, without any sight of a human habitation in the vicinity, and without any basic facilities such as electricity or water it was an un-believable situation for us. Such was the situation The Principal has to transport water in cans in his motor bike, daily for drinking from a well ½ KM away.  Teachers have to walk 5 km if somebody does not give them a ride in a motor bike or a three wheeler to come to school. Just imagine having to walk 10 km daily, for three female teachers. A sacrifice at its best we thought. Remoteness of the location was palpable as there was no place in-sight even to buy a tablet of aspirin, or even a pencil, or eraser.

 

Scenario there was so touching; we lost our weariness in no time and were glad we found the best of the place, to start our humanitarian expedition. After completing some formalities, we donated school stationery/bags/some sweets to those kids and some gifts to their parents, and finally enjoyed their hospitality with their local delicacies. We felt that our effort was priceless, as we were able to bring some radiance of to those innocent eyes.   

Teachers’ devotion, kids’ enthusiasm ,their parents’ mostly young  mothers’ expectations, and their hospitality, took us by surprise, and galvanized us, to do anything in our capacity to keep their rays of hope alive in years to come for a better future, for not only for the kids but for the whole village.

We bade farewell to them promising to visit them with some definite action plan to help them to ensure a better future. We will carry those memories of smiling little eyes in our heart for days, weeks, months and years to come, to keep us motivated for their well-being.

We started our journey again to visit our next destination with much renewed vigor, and with the satisfaction of having selected a correct path to serve a deserving community.     

After 1 ½ hour travelling, we arrived at the school, in Alugalla village, rather late, to a very touching welcome by the students, the principle teachers and parents, to experience the same feeling we enjoyed earlier on the day. Though the circumstances at this place was much better than the previous school, with more than 50 children studying from grade one to grade 11 that is up to GCE OL and with basic facilities being available, we were convinced that the school and the students need more support to ensure a better future for them, as our discussions with the teaching staff, parents and children revealed that their social and family backgrounds did not differ much from that of the previous school. We found some cases of very intelligent kids being suffered not only due to poverty but also due to family problems, which might need some family counseling service.