Day 5

School Visits

Dilanee Bunter :: Monday 23rd October 2023 :: This Story

Another action-packed Ocean Stars Trip Day with over 1000 children impacted by our visit and the work we do empowering children through education in Sri Lanka. The Calthorpe Park Students and Team 2 have been in remote villages visiting preschools and link schools.

Here's a brief summary of our day.

Lorna: Samanathan Preschool

Good evening everyone!
So today we went to our first preschool in Batticaloa. Breakfast at 7 am and in a Tuktuk at 7:30 am for an hour's journey to a remote village. This Preschool is supported by Dogmersfield Primary School. Later in the afternoon went shopping to buy food for the preschools to support the children whose families don't have enough money to feed them. This was paid by donations given by some of you. We also went for a walk around Batticaloa looking at the sights and shopping.
We are now back at the hotel after having dinner and dancing. xx   Oh and we also went to the Ocean Stars office to see where all the action happens!

Julie : Ilampirai Preschool

Scarlett and Julie had a long journey to one of Ocean Stars newer pre-schools, in a very remote area. Everyone was very welcoming and took part in the warmup before joining in with the story. The children spent time making colourful hats before playing bean bag games and doing action songs. It was then time for a break before we made a lovely collage all together. One of the highlights of the morning was seeing the children playing with the Duplo blocks that were given to them. It was lovely to spend some time with the families before we said goodbye.

Calthorpe Park School Team 2023

The highlights of today were visits to Navalady and Urani school. At both schools the students and staff were welcomed by Samba Bands, Garlands, Students dressed in colourful local outfits and hundreds of students lining up not to miss their UK visitors. Ross Walker opened a Music Room at Navalady School which was renovated from a dilapidated state with funds raised by the students. Songs were sung, hands shaken, high fives shared and once again the shared experience of two cultures just coming together and being together was powerful.

Another group of students had travelled from Valachenai to receive a new Samba kit that had been brought over from the UK with funds raised by the students. The students are looking forward to returning tomorrow to do more activities with their Sri Lankan friends. And we made it onto Dan News TV!