Summer 2005 in Sri Lanka: News about Serendib work

Note: Here is a report from Serendib activities in Sri Lanka. The pictures that follow (refering to the St. Joachim rural school) are relevant to this Report:

On Wednesday, June 16, U.S. volunteers made their first visit to a Sri Lankan school called St. Joachim TV. St. Joachim is a rural school near a tea estate outside of Ratnapura. Though the school is understaffed, the children are excited to learn and the teachers are dedicated and cheerful. The president of the school, Mr. Jesuppillai, is a member of the Serendib SL team and has helped coordinate the Peace Education camps and conduct Serendib's activities in Sri Lanka. The volunteers interacted with 6th - 9th graders. The students were very enthusiastic. They immediately started crowding around the volunteers and practicing their English communication skills. Topics of conversation included family, favorite subjects, favorite colors, future professions, etc. They made welcome cards and masks for the volunteers as well. The friendly atmosphere lent itself to a huge exchange of names and addresses between the volunteers and students. The excitement escalated further once the volunteers brought out their cameras and the children gathered around both to be in pictures with their new friends and to take pictures as well. The visit ended with the children requesting a return visit from the volunteers. The volunteers plan to return to the school to teach a couple of English medium lessons.