Overseas Community Involvement Programme in Sri Lanka 2012
( Overview Video )

SP SRI LANKA OCIP DAY 15 (DEPARTURE)

The team had breakfast at Kandy Hilltop Hotel at 8.30am and headed for Columbo Airport for our departure.

When we reached the airport at 1.40pm, we bade goodbye to Kumar and Lily, our bus driver and assistant and gave them tips that each of us chipped in as gratitude for their help throughout our stay in Sri Lanka.

From left to right: Andro, Alexis, Kumar, Lily, Micah and Hisham before entering Columbo Airport.

Meanwhile after check in, we hung around at the airport shops to wait for the gates to open. Some of us even bought liquor from the duty free shop!

At 2.45pm, the team boarded Emirates EK348 and headed back to Singapore, our home.

Our final task has yet to be done, the post OCIP at St. Luke's Hospital.


Reflection by CK

SP SRI LANKA OCIP DAY 14

After the cold and tiring ascend of Adam's Peak, the team reached the peak. It was freezing and there were many locals dressed in thin clothing at the peak. Many of them withstood the cold and thirst to scale the mountain just for prayers and burning of incense papers which reflected a lot on their devotion towards their religion.

Locals burning incense papers in the fire.

Fortunately for us, we managed to catch the sunrise, like a great achievement for all of us. The magnificent view at the peak was breathtaking, which paid off our efforts scaling the mountain. We took some photos and then headed for the foot of the mountain.

The sunrise view from the peak.

Tourists and locals alike at the peak.

The team at at the peak.
From left to right: Hisham, Micah, CK, Nic, Andro, Celest, Kenny,
Vidya, Cornelia, Khai, Alexis, Hadi, Firdaus and Mr Quah.

Though climbing down was faster than up, it was equally physically taxing as our knees received impact from the downward pressing of our feet. This caused some of us to feel aches and pains. Some of us took snack breaks in between to revitalise ourselves.

The view of the stairway on our descend.

Khai, Hadi and Hisham behind some tourists, climbing down the stairs.

A lake near the foot of the Adam's Peak.

By 10am, everyone was at the base of Adam's Peak and then headed back to Kandy Hilltop Hotel for a short rest.

Evening sets in and we then headed to the town with hopes of savouring Sri Lanka's chilli crabs. Soon, with some directions from the locals, we settled at a restaurant to have chilli crabs. The crab was fresh and tender even though the chilli tasted more like ketchup because it was so sweet!

The chilli crab served at the restaurant.

From left to right: Hisham, Andro, Firdaus, Micah, CK outside the restaurant.

After the great meal, we went to the city for shopping. We split into groups to shop for souvenirs and then regrouped and headed back to Kandy Hilltop Hotel for a good night's rest and then to head for Columbo Airport for our departure the day after.

The town at night.

Reflection by Alexis.

SP SRI LANKA OCIP DAY 13 (REST & RELAXATION)

The team had breakfast at Kandy Hilltop Hotel and left for Mackwoods Tea Plantation at 8am.

It was a long and winding drive up the mountain, where the tea plantations are located. Even though the scenery was breathtaking, we got restless and stopped by a strawberry farm for a short break. The strawberries were delicious!

The strawberry farm.

At Mackwoods, we managed to get a short tour of the tea processing plant and to learn more about the different types of tea available.

The entrance of Mackwoods Tea Plantation.

Throughout the tour, we realized that although tea-picking was one of the most laborious jobs on the plantation, the workers do not get as much recognition as the tour guides do. Their effort often goes unnoticed to most who visit the plantation. Also, the tour guide was informative and we felt that it would be more interesting if we could try our hand at tea-picking.

Outside Mackwoods Tea Centre.

Drying of tea leaves.

The rolling of processed tea.

Various tea leaves displayed in cups.

After the tour, we spent some time at the tea shop to purchase some tea. 

From left to right: Firdaus, Khai, Hadi with their tea purchase.

We then left the tea plantation and headed for Adam's Peak. The journey took up the remainder of the day and a whole morning spent travelling on the long winding roads of the mountains was enough to make anybody restless. Nevertheless, most of us managed to take naps to conserve energy for the climb.

The scenery from the hill.

Along the way, we stopped for a toilet break. The girls were looking for a toilet among the houses and accidentally went into a cowshed, much to the amusement of everyone else. Thankfully, a kind villager agreed to let the girls use their toilet. However, the guys had to answer nature's call near the tea bushes. After that little misadventure, it was back on the bus for all of us and we continued the long journey to Adam's Peak.

We arrived at the Wathsala Inn just before sunset and had great Chicken Fried Rice. As night fell, it started getting cold and everybody started putting on their jackets. We waited till about 10pm before setting out for the foot of Sri Pada. We were told that there were 4800 steps from the foot to the peak!

The team having dinner at the Inn.

The pathway towards the peak guided by lighting.

On the way up we had many locals, from young children to aged folks, overtaking us. Most of them wore only slippers on their feet, some even barefooted. We were shocked, seeing all of us bundled up in sweaters and jackets and wearing covered shoes. We were amazed with the speed with which they ascended the steep mountain and how strong they were to withstand the cold without any proper footwear. We soon found out that this climb was considered a pilgrimage to them, instead of an attraction. They would make the tiring climb just to reach the monastery at the peak to offer prayers.

The team on the stairway.

The team taking a break at a pit stop.

Towards the peak, we realised that some parts of the pathway were either broken off or uneven, which brought inconvenience to us. Despite that, it made us wonder how the pilgrims made it to the ascend before the concrete steps were made. Those who reached the peak earlier started to rest and had to withstand extremely cold winds at the peak.

People who have reached the peak, waiting for sunrise.

After the ascend, we learnt that one must marvel at their effort, patience and will to finish the climb in nothing more than slippers, with or without concrete steps.

(To be continued..)

Reflection by Andro.

SP SRI LANKA OCIP DAY 12

The team had breakfast at the hotel and left for CSLEC to bade our last goodbyes to the staff at 6am.

The team then left CSLEC and headed for the Sri Lanka National Youth Service Centre at Colombo.

After hours of travelling, the team stopped for a short break at the Golden Temple of Dambulla, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and later at a restaurant to have lunch.

The Golden Statue of Buddha.

Lunch at a restaurant near Dambulla.

At approximately 2pm, the team reached the Sri Lanka National Youth Service Centre at Maharagama (NYSC). We were warmly welcomed by the staff at NYSC and led to the Youth Theatre for a presentation. The talented youths than showed as some traditional dance and music. We were impressed by the moves of the dancers and the drumming of the percussionists.

Traditional dance and music by the Sri Lanka Youth Dance Troupe.

The end of the brilliant performance.

After the presentation, we had tea with the Mr Lalith Piyum Perera, Chairman NYSC, as well as some of the staff there.

From left to right: Chairman NYSC with Alexis, Nic, Hisham, Mr Quah

We later took some photos with the staff at the stairway. Alexis and Hadi were even interviewed to share their experience in Sri Lanka!

Alexis being interviewed!

After that, we left NYSC and headed for Kandy Hilltop Hotel. After hours of travelling, we stopped by a restaurant to have dinner.

We reached Kandy Hilltop Hotel at approximately 10.30pm for a debrief and to rest for tomorrow's climb to Adam's Peak, one of the tallest mountains in Sri Lanka.

The bedroom of Kandy Hilltop Hotel.

Reflection by Vidya.

SP SRI LANKA OCIP DAY 11

We had our breakfast at the hotel and left for the market for a short visit at 8.45am.

One of the stalls at the market place.

Shortly after, we returned from the market and headed for CSLEC.

Today, our last day at CSLEC, our task was to wrap up any loose ends in our projects and ensure that we didn't leave anything half done. We completed scrubbing the floor of the main hall as well as repainting the front wall of the hall.

Also, Kenny and his IT team completed the inventory of the computers. As we didn't have much to do today, we took photos and bade goodbye to the locals before leaving.

Firdaus, Kenny and Khai with the staff at CSLEC.

A photo with the students at CSLEC.

A coconut treat from one of the teachers at CSLEC.

A final photo with the banner before leaving.

Some of us walked back to the hotel and families started to come out of their houses. It was a surprising sight as in Singapore, our neighbours would not do so. Instead they would complain about our footsteps.

Some of the locals in Vavuniya.

In the evening, we had dinner with Mr. Nathan, manager of CSLEC. Towards end of the meal, he thanked us for our service to Sri Lanka and CSLEC and advised us to continue serving the less fortunate and spread our culture of acceptance and toleration.

From left to right: Vidya, Celest, CK, Andro, Cornelia, Firdaus, Alexis, Nic, Kumar,
Mr Quah, Hadi, Kenny, Mr Nathan, Micah, Khai, Hisham, Lily

At the hotel, we relfected on our days at Vavuniya. We were reluctant to part with the students at CSLEC. We felt that the people at CSLEC had made a huge impact on our lives even though we were there for only 11 days.

When we distributed sweets to the children at CSLEC, they were appreciative of it and it reflects on how we behave in Singapore when we disrespectfully decline other's sweets as sweets did not mean alot to us.

We felt that the villagers living near CSLEC were friendly as they will still smile at us when we walk past their houses even though we do not know them. They were patient with us when we asked for directions.This is different from Singapore in terms of culture as it is considered basic courtesy to be friendly even to strangers.

Vidya, Nic and Hisham learning how to use a water press from a local.

We realised that even though the villagers lived in run down houses and do not earn much everyday, they were still happy with their lives. Unlike our lives in Singapore, we lead a materialistic life with wealth and career as factors to success and happiness.

A photo with some of the locals at the railway track.

We also realized the war had a huge impact on the locals as government funds had to be used to fight the war, thus slowing down the development of other aspects. However it was not for us to judge whether it was worth it or not.

Reflection by Micah and Nicholas.

SP SRI LANKA OCIP DAY 10

The team had breakfast at the hotel and left for CSLEC at 7.45am.

Upon reaching CSLEC, some of us started our work, which was to do some touch up of the painiting as well as to clean up the mess that we have created from the paint. We believed in asking for help from the locals to help with the development of the school as it allowed them to be partly responsible for their school. We felt that it would motivate them further to come to the school often and to help out in further developments of the school.

The rest of the team headed for the network service provider for consultation due to the lost network connection at CSLEC. Communicating with the customer service manager was tough as there was a communication barrier. When they came back to CSLEC, they were unable to proceed with the IT work due to occasional power loss. In Singapore, most of us would complain even of a slow internet connection. How would we react if there was a power loss everyday?

Outside the office of Sri Lanka Telecom Regional Office.

At about 12pm, Nuwan left the centre to attend to his Padi. Even though Mr Quah told us that today would be the last time we will be seeing him, Nuwan promised us that he would come back tomorrow morning. We had mixed feelings as we thought he could have instead spent the time to take care of his Padi as it is after all his family's main source of income.

From left to right: Cornelia, Alexis, Andro, Nic, Vidya, Micah, Nuwan, Hadi, Hisham, CK

After sending Nuwan off at the bus stop, we returned to CSLEC for lunch. As we wanted the locals to try Singapore food, Firdaus prepared Goreng Pisang. We were glad that the locals enjoyed the food that Firdaus prepared. Firdaus even told us it was his first attempt making Goreng Pisang!

Firdaus frying Goreng Pisang in the kitchen at CSLEC.

After lunch, we played games with the local students. Even though the games played were mediocre to us, the response from the locals was great. The students were full of enthusiasm and were supportive. They had good sportsmanship and were not shy when asked to do a forfeit. Unlike in Singapore, students would shy away and not participate in the game. We felt that it was the company the students have one another that motivates them to participate enthusiastically in the games.

The students sitted in a circle playing an icebreaking game.

After the games, we sent some of the local students to the bus stop. They were cheerful as always and would try to communicate with us even though most of the time we do not understand them. At the bus stop, we waited for close to an hour for the bus. We were thankful that this is not the case in Singapore.

A photo of Firdaus, Khai, Micah, CK and some of the students from CSLEC.

At the bus stop, the students told us they would not be going back to the centre tomorrow. We felt sad as we have only one more day to spend in Vavuniya. We took photos with the students as a momento and their happiness would always keep a smile on our faces, an experience we will never forget.

More photos of the students!

We then headed back to the hotel to have a short rest before going to White Stone Restaurant to have dinner. After having dinner, we went back to the hotel for a good night's rest.

Reflection by Kenny and Khairul.

SP SRI LANKA OCIP DAY 9

The team had breakfast at the hotel as usual and left for CSLEC to finish up the painting at 7.45am.

After having lunch at about 1.30pm, we visited the Vavuniya Branch of Jaffna University. There are different blocks of the University such as the Administration block, IT block, Applied Sciences block and Business block. The distance between the blocks are pretty far apart, ranging from 5km to 10km apart. We learnt that the students usually have to cycle from the admin building to the school blocks in 10 minutes, before the lesson start.

Mr Quah and Mr Nathankumaran, the Rector of Jaffna University (Vavuniya Campus).

The view outside the classroom in the University.

Inside a computer lab in the IT block.

Students there take 'O' levels and proceed to take 'A' levels. Only 10% of 'A' level students can proceed to universities for further education. The other 90% enrol into Technical Education or Advanced Technical Institutions and they can proceed to work thereafter. We had also learnt that even with education, there is still high unemployment rate due to the lack of available jobs. I felt that we are privileged and should appreciate our education as we have access to new equipment and updated software. Yet in Sri Lanka, the students do not have access to latest equipment like us and the classroom environment is not conducive for learning.

The birthday cake for Nuwan!

Nuwan cutting the birthday cake.

The guys carrying Nuwan!

We decided to celebrate Nuwan's birthday today which was a little early seeing as his birthday is on 3rd April and we would not be around as we are heading to Colombo early in the morning. After the tour of Jaffna University, we retired to our hotel and decided to make dinner arrangements. While debating where to go for dinner, we decided to give Nuwan a birthday surprise and so some of us went out to buy a cake while others stayed back at the hotel to rest. We went to dinner at Royal Gardeen to have some Naan and once we were done with dinner, we brought out the cake and sang Nuwan a birthday song. He was not expecting that at all and we could all tell he was very touched by the gesture. He showed his gratitude by feeding each of us a bite of the cake and he said a few words of thanks. He was moved to tears.

We felt today was a positive experience as a whole. We were glad we could make a positive impression on Nuwan as it was his first birthday party in 22 years.

After dinner, we headed back to the hotel for a good night's rest and to prepare for tomorrow's interaction and presention to the community of CSLEC.

Reflection by Hisham and Hadi.