Trouble in Paradise

Hello everyone!

I'll start with this. Lots of great things have been achieved over the past couple of weeks - we're now qualified PADI Open Water Divers, have begun running a series of educational 'Earth Days' in Unawatuna, and have got a handle on the lizard problem in the toilet. Unfortunately, our teaching has come to an abrupt (but temporary) stop.

As of last week a very serious flu-like illness has spread through primary schools in our area. Only young people are affected, but it's already resulted in 12 children passing away. While the government try to cap the spread of the disease, all primary students are given 'leave'. This is supposed to last for at least another week but will go on until the spread is halted; of course, this means we have no one to teach. It's a heart breaking situation, but we have accepted that there really isn't anything we can do. Everyone is sitting tight.

To make matters worse, monsoon season has crept up on us. This drastic change in the weather brings with it not only heavy, constant rain, but fatal storms which cause floods and mudslides similar to the ones Sri Lanka struggled through this time last year. When the rain intensifies, the rivers swell, and many of the children we teach can't come to school. This could be because their paths have been blocked, or their houses have been damaged by mudslides and they have to spend the day rebuilding. Teaching in our rural schools has been affected by this also  Although the monsoon months are just a part of life, the recent storms have killed 21 people, and have destroyed thousands of homes all over the South and West.

But human kindness is not drowned. In their own way, Sri Lankans display the tenacity they need to regroup, rebuild, and restart, and the compassion to help others do the same.

We are crossing our fingers for a speedy solution so we can get back into the classroom. Please don't worry, we are still enjoying life and are optimistic about our remaining months. Life carries on in our small corner of the world.

Until next time.

H x

Image taken from the BBC website