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A Treat for Thal Aramba

Aid Sri Lanka is overseeing the construction of a pre-school in Thal Aramba, Matara. This project is being funded by Travel Aid 50 and PATA.

The annual school trip is the highlight of the year for the children from Thal Aramba’ s Montessori School. However, following the tsunami, many of the families have been struggling financially and many parents were unable to raise the cost of this year’s trip. As part of the overall project of support to this school, a fully funded outing was arranged to allow everyone to participate and enjoy a well deserved funday.

The first stop was the Born Free Foundation’s Elephant Transit Home on the edge of the Uda Walawe National Park. Here, abandoned, injured or orphaned baby elephants are sent from all over Sri Lanka to be treated and then released back into the wild in the safety of the National Park. It was the first time any of the children or parents had been to Uda Walawe and there was much excitement as they got off the bus. The trip was arranged to coincide with feeding time which was seen from the viewing platform with happy faces peeking through the railings. Everyone, young and old loved to watch the baby elephants drinking milk from the bottles and there were peals of laughter as two of the elephants wrestled each other to get the milk first.

A picnic lunch was eaten at the beautiful Sri Bodhiraja temple where the children enjoyed running around it the shady grounds. The Monk tied an orange string around each wrist to bless them and ensure a safe journey home.

The afternoon was spent at the beautiful Chandrika Lake. Without hesitation the children and adults alike kicked off their shoes, rolled up their trousers, hitched up their saris and paddled in the warm, calm water of the lake. It was wonderful to see them all splashing around, particularly given the fear of the sea most of them experience after the events of December 26th. “No tsunami here” said one of the parents and it was evident that they relished the opportunity to play in the water, and that despite living in such close proximity to the sea, fear kept them from enjoying her shores. The warm, still water of this contained body of water was perfect for them and they felt safe and happy. It was also a perfect place for sweet treats and ice-cream which no school outing would be complete without.

It was a wonderful day, enjoyed by all.

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