Day 5 and 6

Day 5 and 6 - Stormie and Sophia

Day 5
As usual, we had to get up at 7 to have breakfast at 8. We had a buffet breakfast which consisted of bread, toast, beans, omelettes etc. We then began our long 5 hour drive to reach Batticaloa to meet the Ocean Stars team. On the way, we visited a stunning beach, the sea was really warm, and everyone took loads of photos! We continued our journey and after an hour we eventually reached the hotel after the coach got delayed. We got to speak to some college students who were really friendly, and were amazed that we were so young! We then met the team and had circle time, then went for a vegetarian dinner at 8pm.



Day 6
After the long wait, today would be the day we would visit the schools! We had an early start and had to get up at 6 in order to have breakfast at 6:30, (so early!). At 7:30 we left to go to the different schools. Whilst the Cobra team visited the mixed school, the Tiger team drove to the all girls school. The Cobra team were greeted by a parade where villagers came out to see us. The band was part of the school, and they were all so talented and enthusiastic - we all felt very welcomed. We then were blessed with some water which was sprinkled on us and we got given some flower garlands. Next, we got to join in the assembly and were introduced by the principal. The assembly was really good, we got to hear some of the girls sing a Sri Lankan prayer, and some others recite some passages. In the assembly, we got to introduce ourselves, and the children's faces lit up with joy especially when Mr T high fived and fist bumped them! We could tell it was going to be an amazing and fun experience.

For most, our first lesson did not go to plan, as we were unprepared for the challenges, but we managed to overcome them, and it was definitely a learning curve. Our second lesson on the other hand was more successful since we were more prepared to teach the children. One team gave the students the choice of making a loom band bracelet or a plastic canvas coaster. This ended up being a double lesson since the cross stitching took a long time! The girls enjoyed making loom bracelets and colouring in fairy masks, they also loved learning new songs and numbers. The other team was the sports group, they taught a variety of activities to the children who loved all the games.

For the Tiger team, the day started with them also getting flower garlands followed by an assembly and a small tour of the school. The students at the all girls school were very excited and Lucy, Serena and Rhianna's group had 72 students in one class! We all got a lunch packet, which consisted of rice, curry, vegetables and fish. For some groups, they had the same students for the whole day, which meant they had to improvise the later lessons!

The Cobra team ended up having a shorter day than the Tiger team, which was great since the Cobra's had the whole pool to themselves! We are really looking forward to meeting some new students tomorrow! 

Cobra Creating Crowns

Loom band Excitement 

Showing off loom band bracelets and rings

Rachel and her new friends

Having fun in the pool after a hot day in the school

Content with his sewing abilities