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.