Hi again from Sri Lanka - thought I'd send you my September update. I wish I could say it was very hot and sunny here but that's far from the case right now - we're in the monsoon season so have had lots of rain this week (one hot day - when I was working!) and yesterday we lost both power and water supply for several hours. No matter, when that's the case we just head for the bar! I thought I'd include a couple of photos of Sri Lanka sunsets so you can see just how beautiful it can be here in the late afternoon.
It seems that the arrival of teenage years aren't celebrated as such here, but there's always a celebration when a girl becomes a "big girl" (whatever that is!!). At least it's another excuse for a party and the lucky girl gets a whole new wardrobe of clothes and plenty of presents. Below is my friends' daughter, Warani, at her "big girl" party.
I'm still teaching here but find it much more rewarding to work one-to-one with a few children rather than have large classes. That way, there's no distraction from kids that would rather play cricket or rounders than learn English! Here's my lovely little student, Muranga. He absolutely adores the Maisy Mouse learning toy I got from England and I'm hoping I can find another for his Christmas present when I come back in December.
Recently we had a visit from a lovely guy from America who came to teach our elephants to paint! (see www.elephantart.com). He and a group of volunteers and I were scheduled to attend a meeting of the Sri Lankan Conservation Society so left MEF early in the morning for the 5 hour drive south. Sadly, when we arrived we found out that we'd gone to completely the wrong National Park with no hope of going to the correct location in the time available. Our contingency plan was to visit another National Park nearby, called Uda Walawe. Pictured below are some of the wild elephants we saw on the day. It's just so rewarding to see these lovely giants in their natural surroundings.
This one is not on zoom - he really was that close (and actually came and touched our safari jeep)!
Here's one of our elephants going through her paces with the paint and easel.
......and another picture with another colour scheme. Since these were taken, both our elephants have practised almost daily and are developing their very own style. Paintings will be sold via the elephantart website to raise funds for MEF.
This is a group of current/recent volunteers with David the painting trainer, at one of my little social gatherings.
The only really sad news this month was the death of a wonderful little old lady (and I mean little - I'm not tall and she was at least a foot shorter than me) of 91 who was a good friend even tho' her English was limited and my Sinhala little better (but am working on it...). She'd been in hospital a month or so ago where I went to see her but had seemed to be doing fine at home. I saw her several times and we had a few laughs together. Sadly, on 17 September I had a call to say she'd passed away peacefully overnight. I went to the funeral (happily my first in Sri Lanka) which was a nice occasion and I then went to the cemetery to see the burial (although I was the only woman in attendance). I was asked to light one of the candles on her grave which was a lovely honour for me. This is how burials are marked here.....
On a happier note, Dogstar work is keeping me VERY busy at present. Last Sunday we had a clinic here at MEF which I organised and the day went off very well with around 75 dogs/cats attending, 26 of whom were sterilised. Here's one of our younger clients with his little dog. Luckily the rain stayed off and the whole day was a great success (but very hard work!).
Here's one of our patients in surgery (you can read more about the clinic on my latest Dogstar blog at www.dogstarfoundation.com volunteer blogs).
The clinic was timed to (almost!) co-incide with World Rabies Day and Dogstar's 3rd birthday which fell on 28 September. Since the clinic, I've taken animals to the vet on 3 days this week (another dog from our temple for sterilisation) and have visited at least one other animal every day for minor treatment or wound dressing.
Below are a few of the dogs at our local temple for whom I'm trying to find homes.
Below is one of the areas I've been to on my 'house calls' this week. Pretty wonderful isn't it? (Well it was until a deadly snake passed about 6 inches from my foot!).
Finally, here's a video I meant to include with my last blog. It was taken on my weekend away to Anuradhapura - I hope it plays as it's the first video I've uploaded, but it's a wonderful sight of monkeys playing in the water pool at one of the temples.
This one is not on zoom - he really was that close (and actually came and touched our safari jeep)!
Here's one of our elephants going through her paces with the paint and easel.
......and another picture with another colour scheme. Since these were taken, both our elephants have practised almost daily and are developing their very own style. Paintings will be sold via the elephantart website to raise funds for MEF.
This is a group of current/recent volunteers with David the painting trainer, at one of my little social gatherings.
The only really sad news this month was the death of a wonderful little old lady (and I mean little - I'm not tall and she was at least a foot shorter than me) of 91 who was a good friend even tho' her English was limited and my Sinhala little better (but am working on it...). She'd been in hospital a month or so ago where I went to see her but had seemed to be doing fine at home. I saw her several times and we had a few laughs together. Sadly, on 17 September I had a call to say she'd passed away peacefully overnight. I went to the funeral (happily my first in Sri Lanka) which was a nice occasion and I then went to the cemetery to see the burial (although I was the only woman in attendance). I was asked to light one of the candles on her grave which was a lovely honour for me. This is how burials are marked here.....
On a happier note, Dogstar work is keeping me VERY busy at present. Last Sunday we had a clinic here at MEF which I organised and the day went off very well with around 75 dogs/cats attending, 26 of whom were sterilised. Here's one of our younger clients with his little dog. Luckily the rain stayed off and the whole day was a great success (but very hard work!).
Here's one of our patients in surgery (you can read more about the clinic on my latest Dogstar blog at www.dogstarfoundation.com volunteer blogs).
The clinic was timed to (almost!) co-incide with World Rabies Day and Dogstar's 3rd birthday which fell on 28 September. Since the clinic, I've taken animals to the vet on 3 days this week (another dog from our temple for sterilisation) and have visited at least one other animal every day for minor treatment or wound dressing.
Below are a few of the dogs at our local temple for whom I'm trying to find homes.
Below is one of the areas I've been to on my 'house calls' this week. Pretty wonderful isn't it? (Well it was until a deadly snake passed about 6 inches from my foot!).
Finally, here's a video I meant to include with my last blog. It was taken on my weekend away to Anuradhapura - I hope it plays as it's the first video I've uploaded, but it's a wonderful sight of monkeys playing in the water pool at one of the temples.
Well, that's it for now. Thanks to all who keep my updated with news from the UK which I love to receive. Will be in touch again soon.
Love Mo
xxxx
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