SP SRI LANKA OCIP DAY 3

The team had their usual breakfast at Nelly Star Hotel and headed for CSLEC at 7.45am.

Unfortunately, the army did not arrive for our construction task, thus we had to leave the contruction work for tomorrow.

The first task of the day was to teach the students computer skills especially Microsoft. We taught the students how to use Microsoft Powerpoint such as creating a new slide and adding text to the slides. While we're guiding them, we were quite surprised to found out that some of them had prior knowledge to Microsoft Powerpoint as we expected the students to be unfamiliar with computers. I guess we were wrong.

Right before lunch, the truck loaded with bricks arrived at the centre. With the help of some of the students, we unloaded the bricks together and lay alongside with the gravel and cement. These materials will be needed for the contruction tomorrow.

After all that sweat from carrying the bricks, we joined the students for lunch at the multi-purpose hall. Today's dishes consist of ladies' fingers, raw onions and carrots. It was a simple meal but because we're eating with them, even the simplest meal tasted extraodinary.

The second task of the day was to check, troubleshoot and sort out usable computers. Under the leadership of Kenny, our IT I/C as usual, we tried to connect the office computer to the wireless network. We intend to install a webcam, but however failed due to router issues. We were dissapointed as a good amount of research and effort was put into vain. But that did not put us down, we intend to pursue the issue another day.

Kenny and his work station.

Following that, some of us continued to interact with the students by playing Cricket at the open field. Even though, we had communications barrier, we were able to learn how the game was played and it was certainly fun playing with them. Everyone was tired and sweaty under the scorching sun.It felt like we(and the students) do have something in common as we sweat out together.

Quickly, we wrapped up the day's work and headed to the market place for a short tour. We saw how the shop owners struggled to own a business in order to make a living.

The team at the market place.
From left to right: CK, Hadi, Kenny, A student from CSL, Khai, Celest, Nic,
Hisham, Andro,  Alexis, Cornelia, Micah, Vidya, Mr Quah

We found a place for dinner recommended by our driver, the Royal Garden Restaurant. We had Naan with Black Pepper Masala and Butter Chicken Masala. After a filling dinner, we went back to our hotel to rest and prepare for tomorrow's task. We will most probably be involved with some construction.

From front to back: Firdaus, Cornelia, Khai, Andro, Hadi, Mr Quah, Hisham, Micah, Alexis, CK, Celest, Kenny
At the back but cannot be seen: Nic and both of the bus drivers

Reflection by Firdaus and Hadi.