Today was an action packed day! Dilanee, Andy and Theresa arrived very late last night, it was lovely for the whole team to be together for the first time this morning. After a quick catch up over breakfast we headed to Vellaimanal Village preschool (which means white sand). Vellaimanal Village was wiped out during the Tsunami and have had to rebuild their lives a mile in land as the government has claimed their land on the beach.
When we arrived at the pre school over 50 children lines up to give us a very regal welcome, decked out with a welcome sign, necklaces made out of shells, songs and a percussion performance with instruments Ocean Stars had donated last Christmas.
We then split into groups and played games with the children and read The Gruffalo with the younger ones. After a drink and snack break some of the mothers of the children brought in embroidered items they had made for us to purchase, so now you know what you will all be getting for Christmas.
We then went into the village to meet some of the families sponsored by people in the UK through Ocean stars. Some of the homes had pictures up of their sponsor family in the UK, which was very sweet. They each very proudly presented us with a table full of snacks including some mangoes from their gardens, pine apples and home made cakes.
We then went to Janabdeen's house to find an amazing lunch his wife had prepared for us. There was fresh crab, prawns, muscles, plantain and plenty more varieties of curried dishes.
After an amazing lunch we presented two fishing boats to families, which will help them generate an income.
Then Janabadeen took us to the beach where the Tsunmai hit and wiped out the village. As the government has now claimed the land we had to get special permission to go on the beach. It was very emotional especially for Janabdeen who family owned a lot of the land.
Then it was back to the hotel to grab our swimwear and out to a beach for a swim.
Tegan
Xxx
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