Final adjustments

Its Sunday evening, and I've just got one more full day in the UK now before my flight from London Heathrow to Sri Lanka! I've arranged all the things I might need and want to take with me out on our spare double bed, and just have the big task tomorrow of folding and packing it all into my two bags ... I've realised that there is just no way that I'll be able to fit everything I will need this coming year, into my bags within the 30kg weight limit ... so looks as if a cardbox box will be heading my way from home when I eventually arrive at my future appartment home in Galle.

I've spent the day sorting through all the possible information and resources that may help me during the year ... but have had to try to be realistic about what might be the most helpful ... so I'v packed up a bit of all the topics I have information on, which is mostly from modules I did at university, as well as the more recently acquired resources and paperworks from my last two years rotations. Its hard to try to think about what I will need when I can forsee working with so many different agencies in very different ways ... so will just hope for the best (and leave my bedroom here in an organised mess so that i need be my family can dig out any other items!!)

Tuesday morning before I leave for my flight from Leeds Bradford to London Heathrow, we're having an expedition to dad's work to use their heavy duty weighing scales, just to check I'm not horrendously over my weight limit for the flights ... will be fun and games no doubt!! Then it's off with me,dad,mum and Katy to LeedsBrad for final goodbyes and the beginning of my new adventures ... My flight from Heathrow will take me into Sri Lanka for midday, and from then on I have absolutely no idea when or how my next post will reach you

... so take care one and all, and I'll be in touch as and when I am next able!!!

Love and buzz
Sarah

Packing up....

Whey hey!! My flight details and passport have finally arrived back to me ... cutting it a bit close to comfort, but a very welcome package! My passport has been stamped for the first time in my life, and declares me a month's stay in the country before I receive the full year's working and living Visa



All my time now is being dedicated to sorting through my life's possessions and starting to sort them out into piles - problem is there's just so many piles-things for all occasions and inevitables-my sister's bed is so covered in bits and bobs that it's hard to see the actual colour of the bed covers now!


Im packing all my toiletries, emergency rations and healthcare bits, alongside handcrafts and personal mementoes for the year. There is a slowly decreasing pile of clothes sitting in one half of the suitcase, with packs of M&S underwear with pride of place on top (I've been told underwear is not the easiest items to buy overseas ... well it's more standard of underwear you've got to be careful of apparantly!)

I met up with two people from my local Methodist church recently who have been living in Tanzania for the last 18 months - one has been working with disabled people within a small fairtrade organisation, teaching locals handcrafts and how to make their own clothing through weaving and using looms. Her partner is actually a VSO volunteer working on the 2 year program around management of HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns and training programs. They have given me lots of little 'top tips' (as Antonia calls them quite infamously now) about what I might come across or face in my future work, as well as practical and sensible advice.

I went to an outlet mill centre in Colne (Burnley way) last weekend to meet my two fairy godmothers - Olwyn and Clare - for some serious last minute suitcase searching ... as you will notice we had great fun trying out all the different options in the shop, but ended up choosing the boldest and biggest there ... but its also the most practical as it has a slight expanding central section in case the suitcase 'puts on weight' at any time, and has a T-bar handle which really are fantastic for turning corners with one hand if like me you will have many bags to keep track of or to hold onto!!

I also ended up with a fab laptop bag which disguises itself as a normal smart backpack. It has lots of storage spaces behind zips for leads/paperwork and any extra items I'll have to smuggle onto the plane ... due to the 'one bag' rule that clearly forgets the need that women have for handbags for those little 'essentials' that we seem to need to store in case we might need them!! Olwyn and Clare spied some fab lightweight trainer shoes that are also designed to be used in water ... so somehow they jumped into the trolley too when no-one was watching ... but they will be perfect for paddling at the beaches to avoid any little creatures burying themselves in my flesh! eugh!!


Do you think I could fit a whole person in here...can think for lots of people who would gladly be smuggled away with me??!!!









It will fit ... if its the last thing I do ... well in fact that probably will be the case ...








I was asked by one of the children at the youth group some time like a teddy bear or toy ... I have only one teddy bear, and I've had him since I was a baby, and really hadn't thought that he might like to come along with me and have some adventures of his own! I was persuaded to take my ted anyway, and somehow from that came the suggestion that I do a teddy's travels collection for the children at Family Friends, as happens in some primary schools when children visit different countries.

There is a link to my teddy's travel log from this blogpage, and I am trying to catch him in action at different stages of my adventures. So here he is again keeping in amongst my belongings, making sure I don't miss him out when Im finally packing!!

3 weeks to go....

I'm just getting to the point now where my goal is in sight and everything is coming together. I've completed all my immunisation schedule, bought up Boots and health shops with all the possible substances i might need, and done so much talking that im not sure my voice will make it onto the plane with me!!!

The last few weeks have most definitely been at a much slower pace than the last few months, and i'v a big thankyou to my mum and dad for that - mum has taken on the role of Sarah 'coach', organising all those little everyday necessecities that im sure ive been neglecting recently! Ive had time to visit places in Yorkshire and at home, snapping up pictures on my camera, framing memories and scenes to share with my future friends and colleagues in Sri Lanka. I visited the Turkish Baths in Harrogate for the first time in my life, which was an ultimately wonderful stimulating and relaxing experience all in one ... for anyone who hasn't been to something like this, the baths in Harrogate have been there for hundreds of years although the therapy treatments have very much changed over the years! It is a bit like a spa where you can experience heat rooms, ucalyptus steam room, and a cold plunge pool ... you just spend about 15minutes in each area before moving to another area. It is so envigorating that you come away feeling totally 'floaty light' and your skin feels really fresh. Think i might have to go back a few more times before i leave the UK to keep me all relaxed and de-stressed!

Im also enjoying taking time to visit family and friends before i leave to keep everyone up to date with my progress. I am still overwhelmed by the amount of people who are wishing me well, and giving such valuable tips or advice about being overseas and about Sri Lanka. I seem to meet people everywhere who either has some information to give themselves, or who know someone who can! Its been such an amazing experience, and I feel like I have the world of opportunities and possibilities within my reach. Thank heavens for the internet and IT (never thought id really say that!) because it has made all my workshops, new connections and communications possible in a way that will bring so much to my projects both in the UK and in Sri Lanka. Message boards and forums both on VSO sites and OT websites have given me access to advice and connections that I never realised would be so important. I now have links with so many people who I can call on to guide me or that I can get specific information from to help me in my work overseas.

I can now see how networking is so key to any kind of development, wherever the setting, and it is only through the maintenance of these kinds of communications that real sharing of ideas, skills and knowledge can be used to explore problems and solutions, and achieve goals.

Te le lau le lau xx

Encountering culture...

Howdi,

im just spending a little time looking over all the information I've collected and been given by VSO about the area I will be living in Sri Lanka ...

I'm going to be spending the first four weeks of my time in Sri Lanka completing an induction program where I will have opportunity to learn a bit more of the realities of life and cultures in Sri Lanka, visit some of the main towns in the south of the country ... Kandy - in the middle of Sri Lanka in an area known as the hill country - where Ceylon tea is largely harvested ... and Matara - which is on the very southern coast of Sri Lanka - not far from Galle. It has also been suggested that these visits may include opportunity to stay with local families in the areas, to experience first-hand of real Sri Lankan life.

I am going to be based in Galle throughout the year, but will have time to visit other areas of the country during weekends or bank holiday periods ... incidently Sri Lanka celebrates a very large number of bank holidays for all the celebrations under the sun it could ... so it might turn out that I have slightly more time than the 21 days annual leave per year that I have been given, to explore or travel in-country. There are three other VSO volunteers starting in November with me, who will be living in the Capital Columbo; and another Dutch volunteer who will be living further inland within the South of the country. Galle itself has a largely Sinhalese community, with the majority of Tamil people living in the north and east of the country.

This will also be opportunity for me to have intensive lessons in learning a basic working knowledge of SINHALA. Sinhala is the official and national language of Sri Lanka with more than 75% of people speaking it as a first language, while around 20% of people speak Tamil as a national language. Most people of educated background also learn English as a main language. I am expected to begin to learn Sinhala during my 4 week induction period, and continue to practice and use it during my stay.

Sinhala appears to be a very interesting and curious language. It is described as an 'Indo-Aryan' language like Bengali, Hindi and Punjabi, however developed in isolation from the other members of its language family. It has been greatly affected by travel and trade over the centuries, and some words can be found from a number of languages including Dutch, Portuguese, English and Malay. Although the grammar of Sinhala seems daunting to English speakers at first, its relative flexibility allows speakers to have a go at making sentences and still be understood ... which is a huge relief to me !!!

So I will leave you will a few phrases in Sinhala for you to have a go at pronouncing ...

I'm pleased to meet you .....
o-bah dha-nah-gan-nah la-bee-mah sah-thu-tahk .....

How are you ?
ko-ho-mah-dhah ?

Good, thank you .....
hon-dhin in-nah-waah .....

What's your name ?
o-beh nah-mah mo-kahk-dhah ?

My name is .....
mah-geh nah-mah .....

Going global : part 1

The first of the big events has been and gone, with somewhat more than a little bit of fun, laughter, noise and improvisation!! That was the 'global awareness celebrations' in a nutshell ... although there was the additional exploration of world music, language, craft, and culture ... and of course not to forget the fantastical food fest favoured by all (try saying that with your mouth full!!)

We were lucky enough to have the benefit of a lovely big kitchen, creative room, and games area, along with corridoor space to fill with visual and interesting resources for the kids to really get their hands onto and get up close and personal with!

I utilised wall space with posters which presented 'welcome' in tongues from around the world; scenes from countries around the world; quizzes; and a lovely big world map complete with pictures of all the world flags. On tables in each of the rooms we displayed lots of different travel and world story or poem books, world music CD's and language tapes with players, leaflets, pictures, information bites', and visual cues such as flags or world costumes.

The lead up to the hour of truth was a very frantic sight with volunteer arms and legs flying in all directions to set up activities and displays ... particularly as I was running round like a headless chicken dropping off all my resources in the right rooms, and trying to set up activity tables into some kind of logical 'organised mess'! It quickly became apparant that we definitely had way more resources than necessary, although many activities were planned as 'back-up' plans if the main activities were not successful. We also have such a diverse group of youth group members that it was important to try to cover as many interests and abilities as possible. The other volunteers really came into their own as kids started arriving ahead of time, and the activities needed starting and facilitating.

On arrival each person was given a sticker with the name of a worldwide country written on. This was their main country for the night, and they were then given a short quiz to fill out relating to their country. The task was for everyone to try to find out a few little details about their country, and most answers or information was to be found around the site. There was a question about the country's flag, language, food, neighbouring country and how they saw 'welcome' in the language. The results were fantastic with most people finding at least one piece of information about their country - many finding out all. The children were supported and encouraged to have a real sensory experience - looking, smelling, listening, touching and tasting lots of different things.

In the kitchen we had a full range of foods from around the globe, including a sample of everyday fairtrade items, out on display for the kids to see and taste. Each item had a label by it with its name on, and the name of its country of origin on the reverse. This provided for a fantastic game of 'try if you dare' and the aim was to work out where the food might be from, and if there was any food from their given country amongst the array ... most of the children (and volunteers) were more than brave trying foods for the first time, but there was no complaining all round (and no regurgitation witnessed!!)





Food tasting in action ... yum yum .....

Everyone joined in, Dean and Laura

The art room was over-run with information resources and world craft activity workshops ... although unfortunately time did not allow all the planned activities to be shared. There was a table where everyone got very sticky with coloured rice, decorating Indian Rangoli designs. The pictures looked lovely and would have been fantastic all side-by-side as they would be seen in Indian homes or buildings.

Indian 'Rangoli' artwork by Emma

There was another table where Indian mehndi designs and stickers could be found, and the results were many beautifully decorated hands, faces and arms - as would be worn by young Indian brides or women often on special occasions. Some even found some clothes to try on and wear to show others of traditional Indian costume. There was also an array of colourful face paints that materialised on faces as world symbols and flags.







Indian 'Mehndi' fashion, Christine

Traditional Indian costume dressings, Katie








Face painting - symbols and flags from around the world, Hattie and Faye

Amongst all that colourfulness there were stations where materials and activities about Totem poles, Chinese calligraphy and aboriginal artworks were presented. On another table were copies of world language phrase sheets for the curious to practice speaking words from another country, and the 'learn a language' tapes babbling away in the background in Turkish, Portuguese, Italian and Swedish. An area was also set off to one side for 'quiet time' where stories and poems from around the world could be read and shared, or poems could be written about or for the world.

In the games room we had a little less formal arrangement, with some 'world' challenges on the pool and soccar tables, ranging to crescendoing songs and chants from Africa. We had people milling all around in search of pictures, phrases or clues to their quizzes. The big world map stood boldly in the middle wall of the room, and people were encouraged to search out information on it, and consider other countries. By the end of the night there were little white stickers littering the map, showing where we had all visited around the world ... from lots of trips to central and southern Europe such as France, Germany, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Spain, Italy ... to Greece, Turkey, Finland, China, Singapore, Australia ... and Kenya, Tanzania ... as well as to the USA.

This will definitely allow for a themed night in the future at youth group - perhaps a 'show and tell' event to really share our experiences and tales from around the world!!!


Group singing and chanting - games room

Further quizzes were introduced to help us find out more about other peoples trips and experiences related to holidays to other countries, and how many different countries there really are in the world. In the background funky and melodic world music CD's kept the mood going, with songs from latin America, the coffee lands in Africa, the Pacific islands, and other regions of the world. Graeme was a real star of the night as he stunned us all with the range of his vocal skills as he lead the group in chants that he had learnt from children he had met on visits to Kenya. Though I think more than one of us became hard of hearing after that night with the volume of voices raised in unison to the challenge!!!!

To finish off with, we all came together in the games room to draw together what we had been celebrating this week. Prizes were given to certain other 'stars' of the night, and thankyou's shared, then plans for the workshops next week were introduced. Graeme will take a workshop in the games room to share with us his preparations and goals for the next few months in his bid to cycle the River Jordan, raising money for 5 charities in the Wirral!! My workshop will continue to pursue the world awareness theme and learning, and introduce my forthcoming project in Sri Lanka with VSO. Workshops will focus on starting to build foundations for setting up links between the group and members in this country, and a future group in Sri Lanka.

On reflection I have thoroughly enjoyed preparing and facilitating the events so far, but I have revelled most of all in seeing the excitement, curiosity and rewards on the faces of the group members, and hearing so many of us trying new things and learning from new resources and each other ... and i am sure there were very few moments where child or volunteer were not without activity or task in hand. However, I would really love to hear any other comments or thoughts about the event ... and suggestions for future events or activities for the youth group, or for establishing or maintaining links in the future.

So to finish off with for now, a parting shot from a few of the many stars of the group ...

Its decided ... fun was had by all!!
(Rachel, Jenny, Ella, Jane and Ben)

Decisions

With training all out of the way, its been time for meetings and discussions to finalise my global education plans. Interestingly enough there has been somewhat of an recurring alcoholic theme throughout these events ... during meetings in pubs ... over glasses of wine in my humble abode ... and even the odd chat in a nightclub (in my dreams!!! ... with myself!!).

No, but seriously i really want to extend a big thankyou to all those who have been part of our youth group focus group, or who have brought along resources and suggested activities for our forthcoming event tomorrow ... Jenny, Dean and Rhianna (youth group leaders); Graeme and family; Matt; Ellen;Roz;Craig; Hattie and all the other volunteers who have contributed so far, or that will be supporting me and the kids on the big night. Thankyou also to the members of the church who have been so welcoming and supportive of our move to the Woodchurch area from Moreton. We have been given a whole range of very exciting opportunities through the new facilities, resources, and approach of the church, which will be so valuable in creating the right kind of environment for our global awareness event.

Tune in again soon to hear and see what we've got up to in the first of my global education workshops on the 20/09/06

Bon nuit

Preparation, preparation, preparation...

Sometimes I feel as though I manage to take one very pleased and contented step forwards towards being prepared for my trip, and then have to take several teeny steps backwards daily, as new needs and responsibilities leap out into the light, shreiking at me to sort them out first before the others ... its hard to keep track of whether i'm coming or going ... i'm like a juggler trying to keep all my balls balancing in the air, and its looking very procarious from where im peeking out here ... but gradually one responsibility after another will be released so there will be less and less to juggle soon ...

... last day of working with Social Services tomorrow, and also my last day employed by Cheshire and Wirral Partnership Trust. Im really very sad to be leaving, because its the start of lots of goodbyes im going to have to make ... I feel it more because I know im leaving something very secure and supportive behind and taking that first step into the unknown again ... something which i've gotten very used to doing - but it's funny how quickly you can settle into routines and groups sometimes ... but that must be a reflection on the services and people.

I had a lovely 'leaving' lunch today with all my new colleagues and friends in the OT department at Social Services - (despite the pouring rain outside - which I'm just not going to complain about as i'm sure very soon i'll be relishing any rain that falls what with the heat the Sri Lankans are used to!!) - and I received a very cheering send off from everyone, so thankyou all again for your messages and gifts.

I'm now going to also have a busy weekend seeing different people i've grown fond of, and who i'll be saying goodbyes to for now, but it's really made me realise how settled i've become in the Wirral the past 2 years ... so i'll definitely be seein you all again sometime!!

I've just handed the first of my global education agreement forms into the YfD program team after much consideration and brainstorming. Jenny Boden (the Wirral Family Friends youth group leader) has fantastically agreed to be one of my global education project supervisors while I am overseas, which means she will be on hand to give guidance and support should I need it, with developments towards achieving the goals in the youth focussed project.

So amongst lots of chatting, giggling, planning and 'wine-ing' this weekend, I'll be making some final preparations to the first of my global education workshops at the Family Friends youth group - the 'World Awareness Celebrations' which now definitely begin next wednesday the 20th - so lots of creative juice will be flowing this weekend to finalise craft, food, games and themed activities for the kids to take part in ... we are still desperately hoping for a few visitors to attend who live within different religions and cultures in our communities ... so if there is anyone out there please find us!!! ... I'm working on ideas for themes around learning about: maps / atlases / flags and countries; world foods; fairtrade foods and goods; work of Oxfam / Save the Children and other charities; Aboriginal / Maori / Chinese / Rangoli art and craft works; music / poems and stories from around the world; and other activites that focus on working together in games or quizzes that help the kids to explore and develop awareness of other people, places and issues globally.

This is the first of my next challenges before I embark on my travels ... the next workshop is to be focussed on Sri Lanka and involving the kids in thinking about how they can contribute to my work and to the people I will be meeting in my work there ... which will also begin to establish possibilities and links for future networking between Sri Lanka and the UK. I will report on this next week as I finalise preparations for this part of the global education work.

So long for now ...