The Friends of Della and Don

Reunited after 3 years

noreply@blogger.com (Lucy) — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 08:07:00 +0000

It’s been three years since we were last in Sri Lanka. It is impossible to sum up just how much it meant for us to be back after not being able to visit for so long. Our two-week trip was full of emotional reunions and too many highlights to mention in one blog, but here is our attempt to summarise what we got up to. The main purpose of our visit was to get an overview of the impact of both the pandemic and Sri Lanka's ongoing economic crisis on our projects during the past 3 years. Sri Lanka is experiencing shortages of food supplies, drugs and fuel, coupled with inflation rates which hit 69.80% in the past year.

The Village

Returning to the village and seeing Udaya and his family was hugely emotional. During the depths of the pandemic we thought we might never see them again. There were tears all round. In March 2022 we purchased a new fishing boat and engine for Udaya and other fishermen in the village. This is crucial for ensuring self-sufficiency for the village in the future. It was wonderful to see the new boat in person. Unfortunately, monsoon season was starting during our trip so the sea was very rough, meaning the boat could not go out during our time there.

We distributed new uniforms and shoes for the children in the village. Many people who had left the village came back to see us and it was touching to see people who we have known since they were young with or about to start their own families.

Don and Udaya reunited!

Udaya, Don and the new boat

Shoe and uniform distribution

The Nursery School

There are now 20 children in the Nursery School, compared to 12 when we left in 2020. The same 2 devoted teachers are in situ. They were not paid by Mount Lavinia for most of Covid and were very grateful that we had included them in our distribution of dried foods etc.

The little playground was in a bad state of disrepair. We had it repaired and repainted while we were there. We bought shoes for the children and the teachers.

The repaired playground

Government School

The government school is now just grades 1 and 2 and has around 140 pupils. We visited the school but knew none of the teachers although the same principal was still there. We are supplying food. The food prices have risen so sharply in Sri Lanka and the quality of the protein filled rolls was apparently very poor so the parents set up a food-preparation rota and receive the money directly. We were only there once, much to our regret.

Visiting the school

School on the Beach

There are 31 children who attend our school room on the beach. We met the new English grammar teacher and the new computer teacher. We bought shoes and uniforms for all the children (for the schools which they attend) and put money into their bank books. We bought 2 reconditioned computers for use in the schoolroom, which are already being put to use.

The new computer in action

Purchasing the computer

Bank books

NIC

NIC has been a long-term partner organization of FODAD’s in Sri Lanka, and who facilitate the medical clinic. We met with Cherryl and Ramya of NIC during our trip. The clinic has unfortunately been closed since Covid, however NIC has continued to provide funds to individual beneficiaries, including through an educational scholarship programme. Additionally, when any of their beneficiaries are prescribed medication by a doctor, they can bring the prescription to NIC and the payment is made out of FODAD’s contribution. We made a payment to cover 2023/24.

Girls from the Orphanage

We had a truly wonderful day out with 5 of the girls and their children. It was a real highlight for us and such a joy to see the girls so happy and successful. A true FODAD legacy.

Della with some of the girls in 2014

Further Education

Another highlight was catching up with several people who we have known since they were young who are all succeeding in their various paths.

Smith, who FODAD has supported since 2005, is now a qualified teacher but is doing a full degree online. He was able to visit us as the teachers were on strike. Chamika, whom FODAD has known since she was young, is now studying Economics, Political Science and Sociology at Sabaragamuwa University. Her teachers were on strike also and we were delighted that she was able to visit us. We are committed to paying for her university tuition and accommodation. Natacha is doing very well and has received a diploma in English from the American College of Higher Education (Sri Lanka) She takes her A levels this year. Kishmi, Udaya’s daughter, has decided that she would like to pursue a career in tourism. She is intending to take a course at the British Council this summer.

Don and Chamika

Della and Smith

Conclusion

Overall, our goal of checking up on our projects were met. The trip was too short for us to meet with as many people as we would have liked but we are already looking forward to our next trip. We would like to thank our supporters once again for their invaluable contributions over the years. Returning after three years highlighted the impact FODAD has had on the lives of so many.

On the plane home we were surprised to see one of the FODAD fishing boats featured in a Sri Lankan Airlines promotional video about 40 seconds in - blink and you’ll miss it!

FODAD's corner of Sri Lanka in uncertain times

noreply@blogger.com (Lucy) — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 07:51:00 +0000

We thought it would be timely to provide an update on FODAD’s recent activities as many of you will have seen that Sri Lanka is currently facing a devastating economic crisis and resulting political instability.

We have not been able to visit Sri Lanka since the end of February 2020. The nationwide curfews continued through much of that year and into this. At the time of writing, the President has now resigned and fled the country, which is bankrupt, after months of protests. There are no foreign reserves and as a result there are few imports. This means there are few drugs available – not even basic pain killers and certainly no drugs to treat severe illness. There are constant power cuts, and every social class is severely impacted. Despite all the unwelcome news, we have experienced smiles and positivity. We are told that the mass peaceful demonstrations have resulted in a unity of the Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, and Muslim communities that has never been seen before.

The need for FODAD support in the village has been greater than ever.

Education

2 British friends in Sri Lanka helped us with the distribution of new uniforms and school shoes for all the children.

The schools have opened and closed and opened and closed again. All in all, the children will have lost a whole year of education. There was no online teaching for the non-private schools though some had lessons by telephone. Our own schoolroom re-opened in May 2022 having only been open for a few weeks in 2021.

Chamika, whom we have known since she was a tiny child, got her A levels. Her life ambition is to be a police officer and we are funding her through university. This is what she wrote (sic):

Hello 😇

I'm Chamika from Sri Lanka.One of those who had the opportunity to get your valuable help.How are you all doing.I hope you are all well and safe.

I sat for A/L examination in October last year.The results were little late due to the epidemic.However I passed the exam well.I have 2 A passes and 1 B passe. Aulthough I went to accounts class with your help, still I have B passe for it.But Im very happy with that, because I was very week in accounts subject.Somehow I was able to pass the subject as well.I think I qualify for univetsity too.If I get selected for univetsity I hope to go.

I always have something to say, in fact you are behind all my success, I will never forget the help you did.A lot of people helped me get into this situation and you are special.Really thank you so much for all the help you have given me.For all that you do, you have to live a healthy and happy life everyday.Finally thank you so much , may god bless you and stay safe

Chamika receiving her funding for university.

Natasha who was born in the village after the Tsunami has passed her O levels and we are funding her further education.

Kishmi, Udaya’s daughter has taken her A levels and we wait patiently for her results.

Smith, whom we have supported since 2005 and who has a tragic family background, became a teacher this year. He is in his probationary year and earning a little money of his own. Through his own grit and determination, Smith has realised his dream to become a teacher. We could not be more proud.

Smith teaching his class

Distribution of dry food rations

This has been needed even more so this year. In the past calendar year, we have sent over £16,000 in relief money for dry food rations to the village.

Annual Christmas party for the children

Udaya, the fisherman who is FODAD in Sri Lanka – we have no staff/no overheads – arranged a wonderful Christmas party for 43 children on the beach and we put money in the savings accounts we had opened for them.

Supporting local livelihoods

The fishing boat we originally donated was no longer seaworthy and so in the Spring of this year we bought a new boat and a new engine. Sadly, at the time of writing there is no oil for the engine, but we hope that in time things will change and it will help bring self sufficiency to the village.

FODAD in the Time of Covid

noreply@blogger.com (Lucy) — Mon, 15 Feb 2021 08:48:00 +0000

Learning about Coronavirus at our school on the beach

A year ago, we were in Sri Lanka. Arriving at the airport, we went through a temperature scan and at the hotel we were given masks and told to use hand-gel whenever we came in or out. Security on the door was strict and had been since the Easter 2019 bombings but tourism was picking up again. It’s hard to believe that a year on, we are still living through the pandemic and haven’t been able to return to Sri Lanka. However despite the difficulties and challenges, there has been no break in continuity of FODAD's support for its projects.

Where We Left Off

After one of our most successful trips for Friends of Della and Don, we left Sri Lanka on March 1st 2020. We were excited by the way things were going at the Government school we support, by the successes of some of the children we had known for 16 years, by the constant use of our clinic and the children supported through it and most of all by how well the village children were doing through attendance at our schoolroom on the beach. We had enjoyed a memorable day out with the girls whom we had first met at an orphanage in 2005. We had supported their schooling. Now many of them are married, some now with children. We had a brilliant time reliving our memories. We hired a bus, and they sang all the way to the resort we visited and then all the way back. Their husbands and children joined us too. We should have been back to Sri Lanka in October and there now. We are always there in February. Some of you may know what FODAD has been doing in the time of Covid through Facebook or Instagram but for the many of you who are not on those platforms, here is a quick update.

Handing out shoes

Della and Don with the girls from the orphanage

Handing out food

Don, Sanjay and Wishwa

FODAD & COVID

On March 23rd, 2020 Sri Lanka imposed a nationwide curfew that has remained in place on and off since then. Airports and ports were closed and Sri Lankans who repatriated had to stay in approved quarantine hotels or government camps. Sri Lanka has registered less than 400 deaths.

The impact on both the economy, employment and education has been severe.

Our village is dependent on fishing or on employment at the hotel. Fish markets shut down and the hotel closed to tourists – resulting in mass unemployment.

Thanks to Smartphones we have been in touch with Udaya (the fisherman who runs almost everything for us) at least once a week.

Our schoolroom teachers are part-time and for each discipline only teach once a week. We continued to pay them. They all have families, and we see them as members of the FODAD team.

When schools briefly reopened for a short time, we made sure that we followed government guidelines in our own school room. It was thoroughly cleaned, disinfected and we supplied hand-gel and masks for everyone. Every day, the beach is cleaned. There is much greater understanding around the importance of plastic disposal and the danger it poses to the environment and their livelihoods in the village.

Covid safety measures

We have supplied food and emergency funds in the village and paid medical bills when necessary.

In May we were delighted when Rasanga who attends our schoolroom got 3 As in her O’level exams which she had taken the previous December. This was solely due to her attendance in the schoolroom and her own determination and brains of course.

Smith, whom we had visited with such pride, in his first month at teacher training college could not do his online lessons when the college closed. He was the only student without a laptop or internet connection. FODAD bought him a computer and supplied internet, so he can participate online in his lessons alongside his classmates.

Udaya, Della, Smith, his mother Doreen, and Don, Feb 2020

Smith doing online lessons

New Year's party on the beach

On December 26th we joined the children virtually as we commemorated the deaths of those who died in the 2004 Tsunami and at New Year, we arranged for the children from our village to have a party on the beach. We joined it briefly on WhatsApp. They were having the best of times.

New Year's party on the beach

Throughout, we have been extremely touched by the messages of concern from people in Sri Lanka we have known during the past sixteen years. They have been horrified by the numbers in the UK and worried about us because we are “old”. One of the hotel employees sends us a daily message. Our charity is so personal and we know almost everyone who has benefited through donations. We hope you feel as if you know them also.

Today, we heard that the schools may be allowed to reopen next week, and I am hoping to hear that our small clinic will reopen also. As I write the schoolroom is being refurbished, the benches and chair repainted and we are keeping our fingers crossed! As always, a huge thanks to all of our supporters (moral and financial) for allowing us to continue what we do during these extremely challenging times!

16th anniversary of the Asian tsunami

Repainting

One Constant in a Sea of Confusion

noreply@blogger.com (Lucy) — Thu, 09 May 2019 07:39:00 +0000

The attacks in Sri Lanka were a deep shock to us all. No individual known to FODAD was killed, but everyone has been deeply affected. Government schools have been closed since the attacks and curfews were immediately put in place. There is still a State of Emergency and although the curfews have been lifted in our area they remain in place on the east coast. FODAD immediately reacted and sent relief money to Udaya in our fishing village. He was quickly able to distribute food and/or money to those in our village who needed it the most as there was no fishing allowed.

Udaya handing out food parcels

We are immensely pleased that on May 2nd, our school room on the beach re-opened and has been running classes as usual. These are even more vital given that schools remain closed. As well as education, the school on the beach has been a good distraction from the current climate of fear for the children in the village. Lessons have continued as usual, with particular highlights being English Language, Maths, Science and History.

Lessons continuing as usual

English language class

Maths class

History class

The impact of the loss of tourism will have a knock-on effect on everyone in Sri Lanka. We are in constant touch with Udaya and will react to any urgent requests for assistance. If anyone would like more in-depth information or feels they can offer any assistance, please contact us at: mail@friendsofdellaanddon.com

4 FODAD Educational Projects!

noreply@blogger.com (Lucy) — Wed, 27 Feb 2019 01:18:00 +0000

A great welcome

Government School
We made many visits to the school we have supported for over 14 years. Now, one of the ex-pupils, a girl from our village called Ishani, is a part-time teacher paid by FODAD. Our friends have paid for the children to have a nutritious meal in the school every day since June 2005. We gave prizes for “best pupils” bought uniforms, shoes, socks and put money into the bank accounts we opened some years ago for each child. We played with the children in the newly-repaired playground which we opened on the 1st Anniversary of the Tsunami 13 years ago. The teachers are very poorly paid and it pains us that they are so grateful when we give them vouchers for a pair of shoes.

Food, glorious food

In the playground

Prize-giving

Jungle Nursery
We drove for 90 minutes to visit the pre-school in the jungle. It was a wonderful experience to see the children whose teachers are so dedicated that they had taken an enormous pay reduction. They put on performances that were so well choreographed it was hard to believe the circumstances they had to learn in. We distributed educational materials, shoes and socks. We also gave the money for a local tailor to make uniforms. Once again we gave vouchers for the teachers to buy shoes as well as making a commitment to help with their continued employment. Afterwards we were fed a wonderful local feast. We are taking the cinnamon sticks home with us!

Food in the jungle and cinnamon to take home!

A warm welcome in the jungle

Newbies!

Shoes

School-room on the Beach
We employ 5 teachers in our school-room on the beach and it operates 7 days a week every afternoon after school finishes at 1.30. The children are now speaking better English and are passing exams. We distributed uniforms and shoes for the government schools they attend in the mornings and also put money into the bank accounts we opened for them. We have a wonderful spoken English teachers for Grades 1-5 but currently we don’t have a teacher for the higher grades. This is really disappointing and we will keep looking.

Grades 1-5 spoken English

Shoes, uniforms and bank books distributed to all!

Local Pre-School
The local pre-school which we have supported and where we have fed the children for 14 years has a greatly reduced number of children due to a brand new pre-school which has been opened by a Japanese charity. This is actually a good thing. The 2 teachers we have known for years are seriously dedicated. We bought the children their new shoes and socks and sat with them while they had the lunch we provide.

Shoes!

Food again!

The Big Beach Clean-Up

noreply@blogger.com (Lucy) — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 11:29:00 +0000

When we last visited Sri Lanka in February/March of this year we became increasingly concerned about the lack of ecological awareness in the village, particularly concerning the dangers of burning plastic and leaving it on the beach. As a fishing community whose lives are heavily dependent on the sea, we were keen to improve people's knowledge on this issue. Sadly, the situation was not helped by the lack of support from the municipal council who did not encourage the village to protect their local environment.

New signs in the village & the freshly painted class room

Before she left Sri Lanka, our friend Sarah Greaves left a power-point presentation with Udaya (the fisherman who is FODAD in Ratmalana) It explained the dangers of plastic in the ocean and was for use in our beach classroom. By chance, a group of students met Colin (the fisherman who prevented Della from drowning in the Asian Tsunami) and were enthusiastic to help clean the village beach. They got in touch with Della, who advised them to share the presentation with the school and the wider village community. Udaya invited the local priest who came to share the message. Much to our great joy, Kishmi (Udaya's daughter) was appointed translator., She could not have done this without the English lessons at our school on the beach.
When the municipal council saw the effort going into cleaning the beach, they agreed to be come involved in regular garbage collections.

Local priest sharing the message (Kishmi translating on the right)

Using the laptop bought by Sue Liddiard in March

Colin painting the class room

After the first few hours of cleaning (English teacher third on the left)

A Wonderful Legacy

noreply@blogger.com (della) — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 02:13:00 +0000

Late in 2012, Doreen, a single Mother of two boys in the school we support, had her leg amputated after two racing tuk-tuks ran her down.

Doreen with her new leg

There is no welfare or support in Sri Lanka but the assistance of two friends of FODAD meant that Doreen did not become a crippled beggar on the street.

Tess Boswood, a FODAD Trustee, paid for medication and a new leg and our good friend Mary Fugle paid Doreen's rent. Doreen never stopped smiling throughout her terrible ordeal and her only concern was her boys' education.

Doreen reading a card from Tess

Sadly, Tess passed away in November 2017 but Doreen's resilience is one of her living legacies.
Since January of 2018 Doreen has taught Tamil and Sinhala on a voluntary basis at our school on the beach. Her younger son Smith heard that he had 3 A level passes in that same month. He will go to University next year. A scholarship in honour of Tess will support him. A wonderful legacy.

Doreen (far left) at Della's 70th Birthday party in Sri Lanka last week

Doreen teaching at the School on the Beach

The Same But Different.

noreply@blogger.com (della) — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 04:13:00 +0000

Posted on behalf of Steve & Gav

It’s been four years since we were last in Sri Lanka. It seemed like a long time ago as we reminisced on the flight about what to expect.

Immediately on arrival, that intense heat which hits you as you step from the aircraft was familiar. But things seemed much more efficient than we remembered and we were at the hotel within 90 minutes of touching down. Admittedly, it was a Sunday, but Sri Lanka seemed far more geared up for the huge increase in tourists who now visit.

On our first full day, we visited three projects. First up was the Village Nursery where we have spent many hours making strange noises and faces much to the delight of the children. This experience was very much the same, and reassuringly, the same teachers showed the same amount of dedication to the adorable 3-4 year olds.

Next up was our visit to the village school. This was our first visit since the school became a primary school catering for grades 1 to 5.

At the school

The first thing to strike us was the almost eerie silence. How different it was to when around 140 children were running around and playing games and, sounded like a school. We went in and visited each of the classrooms. Now, all the children were being taught with little to distract them. In one Grade, the ratio of teacher to pupils was 1:5. This seemed far more conducive to education and the teachers themselves seemed more comfortable in the quieter environment. From our first visit in 2008, and the 10 visits since, the school had been our primary focus and we had literally shed blood sweat and tears over the years. Yes, the hustle and bustle had gone which made me a bit sad but I reflected later that the kids were now receiving a much better education as a result of the change.

Next it was time to visit the School on the Beach. This was the first time we would see it since it was established in 2015 and we were both really excited. There were two rooms, both probably smaller than our hotel bedroom. But there was a sense of order and discipline as the old school desks were lined up neatly in rows. And then it happened… from 2pm children wielding exercise books started to arrive. They had already finished school for the day and we counted 20 children. The first subject was Health and Science and one of our paid teachers gave a lesson complete with PowerPoint presentation which was projected on to the wall. The kids were attentive and active, and despite all the things they could be doing, had decided to turn up to learn, which they do every day. Surreal and amazing, in equal measure.

Teaching at he School on the Beach

So our first impressions? Some things are the same such as the amazing landscapes, stunning sunsets and amazingly warm people. Other things have changed but definitely for the better: smaller class sizes is a good thing for more focused teaching and the establishment of our own school on the beach is meeting a demand we never thought would be there and has undoubtedly helped improve the village kids’ education.

If you are lucky enough to come and visit please take time to speak to the children in both schools as conversational English skills will be so important in their future lives.

On Tuesday whilst Della, Don and their guests Sarah and Nick visited the Jungle nursery, we went along to the beach school and taught for an hour using improvised scenarios. And despite it being a national holiday, we were pleasantly surprised to see the classroom full again.

Sanitation and Medication

noreply@blogger.com (della) — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 07:55:00 +0000

Everyone should be entitled to the privacy of a toilet. In the fishing villages, there is often only a hole deep in the sand. Before we left Sri Lanka last week, we paid to have a private toilet and plumbing installed within some new brick walls.. The villagers have been hard at work and have already sent us photos of progress so far. Thanks to FODAD supporters, the villagers will have a toilet and plumbed in water.

Medicine and doctors visits are expensive. For just under 12 years, FODAD has paid for a free clinic. Open once a week, the clinic has 3600 registered patients and 11 voluntary doctors working in rotation. FODAD supplies all of the prescription drugs, pays for x-rays and any specialist visits. We also takes out vitamin supplies from England.

Prescription drugs paid for by FODAD

Vitamins from the UK

With the Duty Doctor

Fun in the Sun

noreply@blogger.com (della) — Sat, 04 Mar 2017 16:33:00 +0000

FODAD is not only about education, shoes, books and uniforms for the children but also about giving them some fun. We have had 3 wonderful days with different groups of children.

Four years ago we determined that the kids we support from a children's home in the interior who had never seen the sea, should come and join us on the beach, play in the sea, have some time to play sports and then enjoy a lovely lunch. Everyone and especially Don had a wonderful time.

Life's a Beach

Sanjay, now 16 whom we have known since he was 5

In November, we promised the children from our school on the beach a trip to anywhere of their choosing when we came back in February. Obviously, the beach has no appeal. They opted for Leisureworld. A two-hour bus journey away. Some of them were terrified by the rides but they had a wonderful time and we arrived home exhausted having had a wonderful day out.

On the Bus

our tired group at the end of thd day

Different than the sea

On Friday March 3^rd we took 36 children, their teachers and a few parents to the zoo. It was a really hot day and we felt sorry for the animals. They had rather less space that we would have expected. Nonetheless, the children had a super time and really enjoyed their ice-creams.

Half Time in Sri Lanka

noreply@blogger.com (Lucy) — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 16:04:00 +0000

The first couple of days after our arrival were spent preparing for an Almsgiving for my Mother. It is the custom to feed the needy on the Anniversary of a close family member's death. We had a lovely service at the Buddhist temple and then distributed food in the village and at St. Joseph's Church where we run our clinic. A lovely custom.

Classroom on the Beach
We started this project when we realised that so many children's parents were paying about £1/$1.50 for extra lessons after school These lessons appeared to make little or no difference to their ability to speak English. 3 years ago we had 17 children and last week we had 55. We also have Maths, Science, History and computer teachers.

The Village School

We have been involved with the government school for over 11 years. We have fed the children every school day since then. It is now a Primary school. We had our prize-giving and also distributed shoes and socks. The children we support at the local nursery also attended and were all given shoes. You can see me with a savings account book. We have opened accounts for all the children and put about £3/$5 in each child's account whenever we visit.

Hard at work

Handing out certificates

The Clinic

FODAD has its own free clinic which is open once a week. Staffed by voluntary doctors FODAD pays for all the medication. We delivered a new blood pressure monitor and vitamins from the UK.

It's All about the Children

noreply@blogger.com (Lucy) — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 08:41:00 +0000

This year we decided that for the first time, the children from our school on the beach, (mentioned in my last blog) and the other children from the village should be treated to a Christmas Party. We held the party on Sunday December 4^th and it was a tremendous success. Santa appeared and the children were thrilled, as were their parents. We played old-fashioned party games and had an amazing selection of food. The children then danced the night away. A huge success.

Musical chairs

On Sunday November 27^th, we hosted children from a children’s home just outside Colombo that we support to a day on the beach. We paid for their transport form the Home and gave them fun in the sea and a great meal. They went home very happy.

Last week, we went to the Orphanage we have supported for 11 years. We were entertained by singing and dancing.

The very poorest pre-school children go to our local nursery school. They came to our party on the beach and on our penultimate day in Sri Lanka, we bought them all ice-creams and gave them vouchers to buy school books for year one at school.

Handing out the vouchers

We were also treated to a wonderful end-of-term concert at the Government school we support. We put money put in 65 kids' savings accounts and also ordered the food for next term.

Nativity

A FODAD Week in Sri Lanka

noreply@blogger.com (Lucy) — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 17:02:00 +0000

We arrived in Sri Lanka on November 20^th and went straight to the fishing village. Although it was Sunday, the children were hard at work in our school on the beach which we set up in 2015 and since has grown from strength to strength.

Hard at work

All over Sri Lanka the children were taking their exams last week so, although we visited the government school we support we did not want to disturb them. This week, things will be very different.

On Monday, we stopped by the nursery school we support. The kids were as cute as ever and very pleased to see us.

Since 2005 FODAD has financed a free clinic through St. Joseph’s Church in Ratmalana. It is open every Friday from 9am to 1pm. We visited on Friday. There are over 3,750 registered patients and FODAD pays for all the drugs the doctors prescribe. These can be very expensive. We bring vitamins from the UK when we visit as they are hard to come by in Sri Lanka. 11 dedicated doctors work a rota on a voluntary basis. We also sponsor 15 children through the same group. Our relationship with the Committee is now in its 12^th year and we have become firm friends.

Vitamins from the UK

A Speedy Reaction from FODAD.

noreply@blogger.com (della) — Thu, 26 May 2016 16:37:00 +0000

The floods and landslides in Sri Lanka hit the headlines during the week of May 16th http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-36319698 Many of the scenes reminded us of the 2004 Tsunami - the reason FODAD was started and we reacted quickly.

FODAD sent money immediately for emergency dry rations. In 2015 our friend Jon and his friend Nina had raised the money to buy the fishermen a tuk-tuk to take their fish to market. This was used to pick up supplies to distribute to the Villagers. Our boats were then taken inland by truck and used in the rescue operations.

Crossing the railway lines with bags of food.

Food delivered to our village families

Over the next few days we kept in touch on a daily basis and knew that the people in our village were OK. One surprise was in store for the villagers when they woke to find that a crocodile had joined the sea from the local river which had been flooded. They caught him in their net and called wild-life rescue.

One sad croc

Investment in Education has opened doors.

noreply@blogger.com (della) — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 11:32:00 +0000

St. Mary's school as an emergency shelter in December 2004

We first came across St. Mary's school in December 2004 when we were looking for Colin, the fisherman who prevented me from drowning in the Asian Tsunami. The school was used as emergency shelter for the fishing village which had been destroyed. Over the railway tracks from the village, the school was in dilapidated state. One big dreary room with a leaky roof.

St. Mary's school in March 2005.

FODAD has been helping the school since we first returned to Sri Lanka in March 2005. The support our family and friends have given has meant that the children get a nutritious meal every day and new shoes and uniforms each year. We have put in classroom dividers, there is a leak free roof, running water, computers, musical instruments, prefects' jackets and many other small things which make the children's' school somewhere to feel proud of. We also give attendance and merit prizes. In addition, we pay a monthly contribution towards light-bulbs, the electricity bill and toilet cleanser. We have also paid 2 teachers for the past 6 years. The base cost to us is about £9000 per year.

St.Mary's school, October 2015

We have had some real successes and for the first time in the school's history, 7 children have gone on to other schools to take 'A' levels. 2 boys have already passed them. One of these boys has done an air-conditioning course and is working and another has joined the Police Force.

For 7 years we paid for extra lessons for children after school especially in those subjects where there was no teacher e.g. English. To remedy this problem, we opened a new school-room on the beach. This became so popular that this year we added another classroom.

We now have 2 school-rooms on the beach and 5 different teachers on different days of the week. Each weekday afternoon a teacher comes to teach English grammar, Spoken English, Maths, Science or History. The children are so enthusiastic that they turn up early to make sure they have a place in the class-room. We have noticed a real improvement in their English. Yesterday, the English Master told us that he believes that at least 4 of them will pass their 'o' levels. If they do, they will be the first children from the fishing village to do so!

Classroom on the beach 1 opened in 2014

Classroom on the beach 2 opened in 2015

Thank you so much for your support. There truly is Shared Hope for a Better Future!

10 Years of Happiness and Educational Success with Fathima Orphanage.

noreply@blogger.com (della) — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 02:03:00 +0000

Don with the girls on our very first visit to the orphanage in 2005

Our last trip to the beach with friends from England earlier this year.

We were introduced to the Fathima Orphanage in March 2005. Don's niece Liz in Ireland had heard about this wonderful orphanage school and we visited just after they had a new intake of girls who had been orphaned by the Tsunami. We were overwhelmed with sadness but so heartened by the Principal who loved all the girls as if they were here own. Since that day we have visited the orphanage every time we have been in Sri Lanka and sometimes 2 or 3 times within those visits. In December 2005 with the financial help of my colleague Angelo we took the girls out for their first day outside the orphanage walls and now we go to the beach once or twice a year.

Earlier this year with wonderful Mrs Mohamed. One of the newest girls is on the far left. We have known the other 2 girls for years!.

At the beach earlier this year with girls we have known for 10 years.

FODAD supports the secular teaching at the school - English, music, economics, cookery and needlework. The orphanage which houses over 80 girls has seen great academic successes with girls reaching A level standard. 4 of our girls took nursery school courses and the couple who have got married are still in touch with us. One is expecting a baby any day now. The cost of this invaluable support is approximately £4300/US$6600 per year. It is impossible to calculate the difference this has made to the girls who, after the Principal and teachers, see Della and Don as their only family. Those of you who have supported these girls have brought happiness beyond measure.

A little bit of bonkersness celebrating elders' day this week.

Of things Medical

noreply@blogger.com (della) — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 09:42:00 +0000

When we first returned to Sri Lanka after the 2004 Tsunami we were told by a local Priest who had a helped the fishermen in our village that his dream was to open a free clinic, He said that he had 3 rooms he could put to good use. We provided the money and clinic was opened late in 2005.

The sign above the clinic

The clinic which is open every Friday morning still operates in the same 3 rooms and has just under 4000 registered patients. 8 doctors work in rotation on a voluntary basis and FODAD supplies all the drugs at a cost of approximately £4600/US$7500 per year.
We visit the clinic every time we return to Sri Lanka and are quite humbled by the sheer dedication of the doctors and of Neighbours in Christ who run the clinic.
18 months ago we were asked if we could bring vitamins when we visit. On Friday October 9th we were able to donate the vitamins which we had brought with us to the duty doctor

Don with the Doctor with some of the donated vitamins.

We visited the clinic again on Saturday 10th as we we had a free eye-clinic for the aged. Sadly, we could only cope with 85 people throughout the day in a makeshift optician surgery on a bus and we had to turn another 30 away. So much thanks to everyone who supports us.

On the bus

The bus which became a surgery.

Chatting with the patients.

All Things Academic

noreply@blogger.com (Lucy) — Sat, 20 Jun 2015 19:12:00 +0000

Lots to report on since our last blog, particularly about edcuation which is our top priority and has really been showing results in the last couple of months. In May we were delighted to hear that Smith (one of Doreen's sons - whose story you can read here: http://wwwfriendsofdellaanddon.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/july-2014-week-2-blog.html) was accepted to do his A-levels at St Sebastian's College. He has been there for about a month now and we hear he has settled in well and is already a valued member of the school cricket team! We have known and supported Smith for 7 years now and to see him take advantage of this wonderful opportunity as a result of his own hard work is really at the heart of what FODAD seeks to achieve.

Smith on his first day

We are also thrilled to report that our classroom on the beach which opened last September (more info here http://wwwfriendsofdellaanddon.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/education-educationeducation.html) continues to be a huge success. The classes there are so well-attended that they frequently overflow into the additional room next door and the classroom is now equipped with its very own ceiling fan to make the lessons more comfortable for the children. There are two wonderful English teachers who run classes 4 times a week, and there are also extra maths and science classes being held once a week as well. This is way beyond what we ever imagined 10 years ago. Improving the children's level of conversational English in particular is crucial in allowing them to break out of the poverty cycle and really change their lives. We can't thank our supporters enough for enabling FODAD to provide these opportunities and allowing us to continue into our second decade!

The classroom (and ceiling fan!)

English lesson

Kishmi

10th anniversary video

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 30 May 2015 12:40:00 +0000

It's hard to imagine that FODAD has been operating since 2005. Even stranger when you think that 'the iPhone wasn't released until 2007 - 2 years after we started - and the iPad only came along in 2010. Facebook opened up to the general public in 2006 and YouTube marks its own 10th anniversary in 2015.

So much has changed since we started and all of these "new" technologies have allowed us to reach out to hundreds of supporters around the world and allow them to see the benefits that FODAD delivers, simply because of their donations.

No one can predict the technology that we will take for granted in 10 years time, or even if FODAD will still continue. But there will be thousands of people who have benefited over the last decade simply because of the generosity of the friends of FODAD. Thank you so much.

Creating opportunities

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 06:29:00 +0000

Teaching in the Village School

Julia and Malcolm Banfield discover first-hand the difference FODAD is making to the Ratmalana fishing community.

I met Della and Don when they returned to Don’s former workplace, Wadham College at the University of Oxford, some ten years after they had been saved from the Tsunami in Sri Lanka by a Ratmalana fisherman, Colin.

Their enthusiasm for the country, its people and the charity they set up was so infectious that not long after our meeting, my husband and I began looking at flights, itineraries and hotels in Sri Lanka.

We have just returned from a marvellous fortnight touring this fascinating country. Aside from the warmth of the people, fabulous food and breath-taking landscapes, a highlight of our visit was spending a couple of days in Ratmalana, discovering first-hand the contributions FODAD is making to this small fishing community.

Sandwiched between the railway line and the beach, Ratmalana still shows signs of the destruction caused by the Tsunami on local dwellings, though villagers have done their best to rebuild their homes using corrugated iron and wood. “Following the Tsunami, the government provided apartments for those who lost everything, but the flats are too far from the beach for the fishermen to be able to get to work, so they prefer to remain here,” explained fisherman and village elder Udaya who runs FODAD in Sri Lanka.

Laundry is drying on the stones between the railway lines, children play cricket in every available space, and fishermen sit repairing their nets. Colin invited us to look in his home where, like most people in the village he has very few personal possessions and his sister and her daughter share a single mattress on the floor. The hot sunshine, combined with the brightly coloured clothes of the villages and their friendly greetings to us do little to disguise the extreme poverty of the village environment.

The School on the Beach

Sitting in on an English lesson with a teacher funded by FODAD, the enthusiasm of the children who range in age from five to fifteen is not dulled by the breaks enforced by the noise of the train as it rattles past on a regular basis. The children attend state school in the mornings but come voluntarily to the classes in English, Maths and Science provided by FODAD at the school on the beach four times a week.

“A good level of spoken English will help these children get better jobs, particularly in work related to the growing tourist industry in Sri Lanka,” said the teacher.

Asking the children what they wanted to do after leaving school, the responses included air hostess, engineers, teachers and tour guides. Ambitious choices when you realise that many of these children have never travelled on a train, despite their proximity to the railway. The villagers are proud of one former classmate whose English was good enough to secure him a job in the prestigious Mount Lavinia Hotel which lies just along the beach.

We had brought with us a laptop donated by a Wadham student which was quickly set up and connected to the FODAD funded WiFi in order to help the children improve their computer skills as well as have access to online teaching and learning resources.

Visiting the state funded, FODAD supported Village school, we saw some of the same faces we had seen in the school on the beach. Here the Principal shows us a long list of items which FODAD money has provided including partitions to separate the different classrooms, books, materials and IT equipment.

Said the school Principal: “Many of these children are able to attend school because they have been helped to afford the obligatory school uniform and shoes. They also receive a meal here every day thanks to FODAD, and at playtimes they benefit from the playground equipment provided by the charity. A FODAD funded attendance prize has been helpful in encouraging pupils to come to school,” she added.

Having trained and worked as an English as a foreign language teacher, I was thrilled to be able to take some English classes at the village school and the school on the beach. It was extremely rewarding to work with such enthusiastic pupils, some of whom have achieved a very good level of English. Despite the fact that I speak no Singhalese, the students were polite and attentive, keen to practice their spoken English and to participate in a variety of learning exercises from singing to drawing and role-playing.

Before leaving the Ratmalana community Udaya, the village school Principal and the English teacher at the school on the beach, asked us to pass on their thanks to all those who are supporting FODAD, and for the help which is making such a difference to their lives.

As we waved goodbye to the smiling students we were showered with illustrated thank you notes that the younger children had made. Returning to Oxford where the majority of students have limitless opportunities ahead of them, it is encouraging to think that FODAD is giving these Sri Lankan children a chance to achieve their dreams.

Julia Banfield

Rose Robin visits the Village

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 19:30:00 +0000

See what Rose Robin got up to when she visited our village and got the kids involved in decorating the new school room on the beach in this incredible movie.

Rose is an inspiration and has helped traumatised children through free expression workshops. She has worked across the world and more details can be found on her Painting Pirates website.

Our heartfelt thanks to Rose for making this incredible snapshot.

Tsunami makes headlines

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 26 Dec 2014 00:30:00 +0000

As we mark the tenth anniversary, a look at how newspapers around the world reported the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami tragedy.

9 days into our Nov 2014 trip

noreply@blogger.com (della) — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 15:45:00 +0000

Last week I posted a blog about our new classroom on the beach and there will be more on that before we leave Sri Lanka at the weekend but here is more that we have been up to.

On Wednesday last, we took the girls from an orphanage we have supported since the Tsunami to the beach. The only time they go outside the walls of their orphanage is when FODAD visits. They look forward to these days so much, as do we and have the most fantastic time together. We have known some of the older girls for 9 years now. We have paid for their home economics classes including cookery, embroidery and English. 4 of them were trained as nursery school teachers and a couple have married and had babies. We hope that we can continue to support the girls for years to come.

In the sea with the girls

At the weekend, we distributed toys and clothes all of which had been donated by friends in New York and Oxford. The kids were thrilled to bits

New clothes and new toys!

Brand new clothes

No, we are not too old!

We also visited our dear friend Doreen. We have known her for 9 years as she is the devoted parent of 2 of the children at our school. She lost her leg in a tragic accident just over 2 years ago. We are paying for a prosthetic. The first dummy has been delivered and I was moved to tears when I saw her stand on two feet for the first time.

Today we visited the nursery school in the Jungle at Girilcola. We have bought uniforms, shoes and books for these children for over 5 years now. The Buddhist Monk who also has a Temple where we are based in Mount Lavinia introduced them to us. Their parents are really poor farmers who often have to wade in several feet of mud in paddy fields. We gave the 5 year olds school bags and books to give them a head start at their new schools.

More to come!

Education, Education,Education

noreply@blogger.com (della) — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 16:08:00 +0000

Children from the Village School attend the FODAD classroom for extra lessons.

My intention was to write a blog today telling you all about mine and Don's very busy first 4 days in Sri Lanka since we arrived on November 16th. We were surprised that there are so few tourists in November and that everywhere we walk there are thousands of butterflies. The whole area is like a butterfly park. For those of you who don't see us on Facebook or Twitter and do not know what a wonderful time we had on Wednesday with the girls from the orphanage whom we first took out 9 years ago, I was going to tell you about that day but ..... today we had an experience which confirmed the very heart of FODAD and its mission. It deserves a blog of its very own. Don and I attended two classes in our very own FODAD classroom in the Fishing Village. In September we had published a letter on our blog from the teacher we had employed earlier this year http://www.friendsofdellaanddon.com/page6.html On Tuesday, we helped to repaint the room we rent in brilliant white so that we could use a projector without a screen and today we attended 2 lessons. We were bowled over. Our kids are really coming on and they absolutely love the lessons. We will get there! They will get there. The kids from our Village will now have the opportunity to learn not only English but extra Maths, Science and History.

It is almost 10 years since the horrendous tsunami that brought us together but we are so happy that together will all of you, we really are giving the children hope of a better future!

Watching English language videos with kids from the Village in Class this afternoon!

I am shamelessly using this opportunity to launch our holiday campaign. On 26th December it will be 10 years since the Asian tsunami. If you can spare a donation as a holiday gift, you will help us continue with this work.http://brick.friendsofdellaanddon.com/ Thanks so much on behalf of all the wonderful children we support. Della and Don