Passport with a purpose 2014: teaching English in Sri Lankas rural villages.

Dramatic change of events. New Year, new plans, new opportunities. The purpose of this trip was to eat our way around the world. But what if we get an opportunity to do more then this in the course of our travels. We will definitely take it.

Sri Lanka trip ended up being more then just a sightseeing. We’ve got an opportunity to be involved in a non profit charity organization ‘Future Peace’ and take part in teaching kids English in rural areas of Sri Lanka. Before coming to Sri Lanka I’ve got in touch with my law tutor and dear friend F.B. asking if he has any connections in this side of the world and was provided with Kassapas email address. I simply got in touch asking for sightseeing tips and expressed the interest in charity work. Soon we arranged a meeting in Galle. What first looked like a vague plan, later turned out to be a real deal and with a speed of a light we were here, in the outskirts of Matara.

Our mission here was simple- provide children an access to foreign language education. Time came when giving is more prioritized then taking. And patience becomes the most needed skill. Even though, English is not my mother tongue, TEFL certificate came in very handy and soon I was called miss Rita, the teacher.

On day one we were introduced to three different villages we’re going to be working with: Hithtuteya, Matota Gama and Kaburugama. We agreed on teaching English lessons once a day for a few hours and in exchange we were offered accommodation by locals.

Meeting the community seemed something rather amazing. Kids were very curious but shy, and parents excited but nervous. Majority of people doesn’t speak English at all, and the left minority has a very basic understanding. Luckily we had a translator, who knocked the language barrier down but there were times when he wasn’t around and body language was the only option.

Kids sang welcome songs and made flower necklaces, while mothers spoiled us with biscuits and freshly picked bananas. It seemed to us that it’s the first time they get an opportunity to let the foreigners into their community. As we later found out, they never had an outsiders here, especially ‘white people’. And were very excited to share their traditions and food as well as use the opportunity to practice their English.

Before starting the program, team members took us around to show Matara and while visiting the light house, we were warned about possible tsunami, coming towards north Sri Lanka. For us, European mammals, living a peaceful life and knowing about such disasters only from the media, panic button was turned on and Google attacked straight away. However, no results were found then, or a few days after, which makes me think, that it’s either miscommunication or it’s miscommunication:)

We’ve stayed for two days in each village and quickly got into daily routine. Breakfast with the host family, some free time during the day, which usually came down to relaxation on the beach (and lesson planning as well:), lunch, then evening class, followed by visits to students houses and dinner. We were introduced to some Sri Lankan dishes and my favorite treat ‘dodol’.

First village had nineteen kids, second !68! and third- twenty three, with the age range 4 to 16. It’s easy to guess how varied their English level was as well. Youngest ones were pre school and didn’t know how to write yet. But we tried our best to structure the lessons to suit all age ranges and abilities. Included some simple grammar, speaking, songs and of course games to make the learning fun.

After lessons, it was time to visit kids houses and meet their families, who always greet us with some tea, biscuits, bananas or coconuts. We usually got around ten houses a day, which doing the math’s equals (=) to being over exhausted and over fed. There were days, when I had three king coconuts a day. I know it’s good for your brain and stuff, but please, three a day?!

Every day was exhausting, thanks to the heat and an overwhelming attention from the kids. Luckily we always had a beach near by, where snorkelling and waves were waiting for us. And we reached it on motorcycles, flying narrow roads by the Indian ocean. It was the only way to relax and free your mind.

After last lesson, kids were asking for autographs and handing ‘thank you’ letters, which made us feel like celebrities. I feel you Justin Bieber, fame doesn’t walk alone!:) Girls made bracelets and necklaces, others brought hand made clay pots. One of the kids, named Pashan made us an airplane from palm tree, saying it’s going to help us fly home when we miss it.

Teaching in villages and living in local families gave us an opportunity to get a closer look into their everyday life. Most of them have got so little and still are so happy. They let us into their houses and treated like queens, everyone trying to give as much as they can. Majority of houses don’t have running water or electricity, nor inside kitchen or toilet. I’m not even talking about hot water or internet. But strangely enough, none of this made my stay complicated. As long as there was a mosquito net, I was sorted and happy as a cucumber.

A big thank you to everyone who was involved, especially team members: Kokila, Kassapa, Madushi, Priyanjala, Nelum, Heshan and Lanka.