Projects Abroad, Newsletters from Sri Lanka

There's a travel quote I love that says the following: "Twenty years from now you’ll be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade wind in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover" - Mark Twain. And that's exactly what I, in my case, did... I dreamed, I abandoned my safe harbour in Spain and I went exploring in Sri Lanka.

Soon after my arrival in Sri Lanka I heard that the son of my host family was due to get married, and I started secretly hoping to be invited! During the week before the wedding, there were a lot of people in our host family’s house helping with the preparations for the wedding. And all week Alice (my roommate) and I were still hoping to be asked to attend!

From time immemorial, Sinhala Culture is woven around Buddhism. It is inseparable. Therefore, the Sinhala Buddhist calendar is also closely linked to important events that took place, coinciding with Buddhist events. The 12 months in the Sinhalacalendar are known as Duruthu (January), Nav(February), Medin (March), Bak (April), Vesak (May), Poson (June), Esala (July), Nikini (August), Binara (September), Vap (October), Il (November), Uduvap (December).

Projects Abroad staff and volunteers celebrated the Sri Lankan New Year in style, playing traditional New Year games, gorging on delicious Sri Lankan sweets and dressing glamorously in saris and sarongs for a tasty buffet meal!

Some guide books say five thousand steps, others say six thousand… No matter what the actual number is, let me tell you, it’s a heck of a lot of steps to the top of Adam’s Peak! But don’t let that dissuade you because reaching the top is one of the most rewarding experiences that Sri Lanka has to offer.

Stepping off the plane into Colombo is like falling into a bowl of soup. It’s hot, humid and sticky. Stalls adorn the footpaths selling fragrant rice and curry at lunchtime. Beginners beware – this is no English curry! Sri Lankan curry packs a punch! If your taste buds are over sensitive, have a few mouthfuls of dried coconut to dull the pain.

The most amazing two weeks of my life so far has to be my time spent as a volunteer in Sri Lanka. Knowing how children in general are nonjudgmental and ready to accept people - which is one reason I enjoy being around them so much - I had little doubt that I would enjoy my time in the Tsunami Camp Montessori. I had no idea however, when I booked the placement, just how much I would later look back and treasure the memories of my days with them.

On November 13th, Projects Abroad organised a painting day in Sukhitha Girls’ Home, Kalutara. All the volunteers joined in with the event including Sophie and Isabelle from Galle. The mission was not that difficult as Mariken and Anne (who worked in the same placement) had repainted the wall and Sophie had done the sketching in advance. Steven and Marian Ridgeway did a wonderful drawing and later we found out that Steven is a professional artist.

A tropical climate, white sandy beaches and the tempting warmth of the water are, of course, what mainly attracts foreigners to Sri Lanka. So the Indian Ocean is a key element in the island’s attractions. Sri Lanka has 1,340km of coastline, where the white or yellowish margin of sand follows the coast often for kilometres, like a narrow gleaming satin ribbon, bending with its multifarious curves and beautiful open bays, and dividing the deep blue waters of the Indian Ocean from the bright green coconut grove.

The success Projects Abroad achieved on the last medical camp at Wadduwa led the staff to organise a second medical camp at Malamulla community centre, focusing on villages around the area. Medical camps make a really valuable contribution to a society, allowing access to healthcare for many who would not normally be able to access it.

In Sri Lanka, the cuisine differs significantly from region to region. Rice is the staple diet of Sri Lankan cuisine and is generally served either boiled or steamed, accompanied by a variety of curries. Despite the presence of fast-food establishments, the average Sri Lankan still prepares and eats traditional dishes for everyday consumption at home. Being an island, fish and seafood feature heavily in the everyday diet, along with fruit and vegetables, which are cultivated on the island.

I spent three of the best months of my life volunteering at TNL radio. I started out in the news department and quickly came to realise that what counts as a headlining story at home, doesn’t even get a mention in the local news here due to the internal turmoil in the northern parts of the country. For the latter part of my stay my supervisor Bimalee was having me trained up on the studio equipment.

After about 24 hours of either being on a plane or in some obscure transit lounge (my flight went from Melbourne to Hong Kong to Singapore to Colombo) I touched down in Sri Lanka having never been more excited about going to bed in my life. The drive from the airport to a hotel in the city was filled with beautifully lit shrines of seated Buddha’s.

The conflict with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a separatist group also known as the Tamil Tigers, which has affected the north of the country for over two decades, has come to an end. Against this backdrop, the government of Sri Lanka is gearing up for a post-conflict strategy focusing on redevelopment of the previously war-stricken areas.

The dawn of the Sinhala Hindu New Year is the most welcome news to both Buddhists and Hindus in Sri Lanka. It is a delightful event of historic and cultural significance. In short it is the most significant of the annual events organised and celebrated by the two communities. It has been given pride of place in the annual calendar and certainly it brings back pleasant recollections of yesteryears.

The Centre for Handicapped has been working towards the rehabilitation of people with disabilities since 1971, under different names like "Kandy Orthopedic Centre" and "Colombo Friend In Need Society Kandy Branch". Finally it got its own identity as "Centre For Handicapped" in 2001 and started working independently. Currently the Centre receives technical and financial support from Motivation through its Disability Support Programme funded by USAID for a limited period.

Kalpitiya - a stretch of land 150 kilometres north of Colombo - is skirted by sea on one side and a lagoon on the other. There are many islands - small and large - formed within both sea and lagoon. These islands are a treat to see. Most of these, especially the ones by the lagoon, are covered with green mangroves.

Serene environment, cool climate, lush greenery adorned with twittering birds and naughty squirrels...What would be your immediate reaction to such a site - a traveller’s haven or a nature lover’s paradise? Pallekele Devanampiya Tissa Samatha Vipassana International Meditation Centre is for the genuine seekers of the truth, not for sightseers and tourists.

The art of batik has come a long way from a mere handicraft. The word batik actually means 'wax writing'. It is a way of decorating cloth by covering a part of it with a coat of wax and then dyeing the cloth. The waxed areas keep their original color and when the wax is removed the contrast between the dyed and not-dyed areas makes the pattern.

Before I want to explain my ideas I first want to tell you something about my feelings about my time in Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka I stayed with the family Soyza. They live in Malamulla a place very close to Panadura. For me t was very nice to stay with a host family because in this way I learned al about the way of life in Sri Lanka, as well as about the family Soyza.

My name is Lauren Austin and I am 22 years old. I was born and raised in Maine, USA and currently attend school here at the University of Southern Maine. I am in my 4th year and working toward a degree in the health field as a nurse, which brings me to Sri Lanka. I actually have a semester off as I wait to start my nursing clinicals and want to take this opportunity to travel, volunteer, and get some great experiences in the health field.

One of the main attractions in the city is the temple of Kalutara Bhodi. This temple is highly respected by travellers, especially by the drivers or bus conductors as it is a place of receiving blessings for the safe journey. If you are a volunteer who had been placed in Kalutara, you would have seen the travellers on Galle Road – irrespective of his or her faith – stop at Kalutara Bodhi, drop a coin into one of the tills placed on either side of Galle Road near the sacred premises, clasp his palms together in veneration and wish for a safe journey.

It was not because once again we were spending the weekend in Kithulgala for some white water rafting – that’s always special! But it was also lovely because we decided to have our monthly get-together dinner at Sisira’s feasting on that amazing BBQ and looking forward to his flambéed desert of fruit and ice cream…And what was very special was that all the Projects Abroad staff was present. The more the merrier, as they say! And it certainly was merry.

Arugam Bay: Dancing on the waves The sunny golden beach of Arugam Bay, in Sri Lanka’s East Coast, is one of the top attractions of Sri Lanka’s beach destinations. Arugam Bay, located 230 km East of Colombo, is one of the best surfing and tourist destinations in the world.

Minneriya National Park is situated in the North-Central plains of Sri Lanka, 20 kilometers from Polonnaruwa. It's a paradise with many natural wonders despite being it is one of the smallest national parks in the country. The park encompasses the beautiful Minneriya tank which is an incredible place to observe the elephants. Elephants come to bathe and graze on the grasses as well as the huge flocks of birds (cormorants, painted storks, open-bills, pelicans and many other species of waders) that come to fish in the shallow waters.

Regardless of climate change, in mid-April every year Sri Lanka swelters. The Koha’s (bird) call heralds the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. It is the period when – according to the astrological calendar – the sun moves from House of Pisces to House of Aries.

We wondered through ruins of palaces and monasteries, visited the kings elephant baths, spotted the sacred Bodhi tree, and witnessed hundreds of cheeky monkeys stealing flower offerings off Buddha in order to feed their greedy stomachs. Some of the volunteers kindly joined in with the locals to shift bricks in the grounds of Sri Lanka’s tallest temple, which is currently under restoration.

Right! Well my name is Sarah Murray and I'm from London. I chose to visit Sri Lanka as I'd heard rave reviews about it from others (such as friends' siblings who'd taken gap years before and travelled there) and I decided that it was a must! At the moment I'm ecstatic about my upcoming travels (I'm starting in Ghana then moving on to Sri Lanka 2 months teaching in each) as I depart next Saturday !!! I haven't a clue what to expect and the fear hasn't set in just yet, though I have a feeling it will as soon as I'm on the aeroplane! I'm not sure what else to include other than that I'd love to hear from people who are travelling there soon! I wish you all the very best!

Hello! My name is Alice. I’m 22 and live in Preston in the North West of England. After working full time since leaving college at 18, last year I decided to do what I really wanted and applied to study nursing at Manchester University. I got accepted and start in May! Since being accepted I have been also working parttime evening and weekends as a care assistant looking after the elderly in order to gain experience. I wanted to travel and gain more experience before I started my studies and realised that voluntary work abroad would be a great way to combine the two.

Deepavali, also known as the festival of light, was celebrated on the 8th of November this year. It usually falls on the new moon day. This festival is looked upon as the beginning of a New Year of Truth, Joy, Beauty and Prosperity. In the history of Hindu Gods, this is the day that God Krishna defeated the King of demon Narakasur. Deepavali festival was the last will of King Narakasur when he was in the death bed and he wanted People to triumph Goodness over Evil on this day. This reminds us that “Evil will never conquer”.

With the other Volunteers we organised different activities during the weekends, such as a dental awareness exhibition in a primary school in the rainforest area. Furqan who is a dentist, explained the basic hygiene dental rules to the children. And together we organised an art competition. From this example you can appreciate the real action happening on the ground within the heart of the communities, all because of Projects Abroad.

Sri Lankan culture is fascinating. Nourished from Buddhism in the early 2nd Century B.C. and also influenced by Indian invasions and going through Portuguese, Dutch and British rule, Sri Lankan culture is diverse like its Natural Heritage. Known as the “Smiling People” throughout the world, Sri Lankan people enjoy a unique lifestyle that's humble, artistic and entertaining. The intimate connection between society and Buddhism as well as traditional forms of art, dance and music are the fusion of the Sri Lankan culture.

129 Km away from Colombo and 465 meters above sea level is Kandy, the charming hill capital, cultural centre of the island, and a World Heritage City. Nestling amidst low hills, and looped by the Mahaweli River - Sri Lanka's largest - Kandy is still the home of the arts and crafts, music and dance and song which flourished under the patronage of the Kandyan Kings.

Sri Lanka has a literacy rate of 92%, higher than that expected for a third world country, and it has one of the highest literacy rates of South Asia. This can mainly be attributed to the free education system in Sri Lanka. All levels of education, from primary to higher education, are funded and overseen by the Ministry of Education (Sri Lanka).

Sri Lanka has a literacy rate of 92%, higher than that expected for a third world country, and it has one of the highest literacy rates of South Asia. This can mainly be attributed to the free education system in Sri Lanka. All levels of education, from primary to higher education, are funded and overseen by the Ministry of Education (Sri Lanka).

The first glimpse of Sri Lanka that many visitors have while coming into land at the international airport at Katunayake is the seemingly endless swathes of coconut palm dominating the area. Indeed, the best coconut land in Sri Lanka - perhaps even the world - is located north, south and east of the airport. As a result of such abundance, the coconut palm with its slender trunk curving into the sky and crown of waving fronds is one of the most distinctive features of the landscape.

When it comes to national festivals, the most expecting, most colorful, and most vibrant festivals of the nation is the traditional New Year Festival. The festival is when the two major ethnic groups in Sri Lanka, the Sinhalese and the Tamils jointly celebrate this happy time, but in different styles according to their original tradition.

Our pre-sea lesson, involving pretend paddling on the board whilst still fixed firmly to the sand, caused much entertainment for the locals, who formed a circle around us and watched on in amusement. Finally in the sea, a boat almost ran us over and we were forced to paddle off at 'high speed'. We all paddled for what seemed like an eternity and eventually got to a spot where our teacher deemed suitable to stay in order to catch the best waves.

It's the month of LOVE so it would be a hit topic to talk about "LOVE" in Sri Lankan context. Sri Lanka being a very conservative country (as most Sri Lankans would claim it is!), courtship, house visits and love affairs are not an open topic. Though it's noticeable how this has changed through generations, you would find lovers in buses sitting and tickling next to each other or in the park having a date under their umbrella; it's not a common scene to see especially in villages.

Colombo is the largest city and commercial capital of Sri Lanka, located on the west coast adjacent to the present administrative capital of Sri Jayawardanapura Kotte. Colombo derives her name from the Port of Kolomtota ("Kola"=Green, "Amba"=Mango", "thota"=Port) which means Colombo harbour.

Do Sri Lankans celebrate Christmas? Christmas is celebrated by 1.5 million Sri Lankan Christians - that is 8 per cent of the population celebrate Christmas. Religious observances are very similar to those in the West, but the commercial aspect is less in evidence.

The Sigiriya Citadel was built in the 5th centaury on a natural rock which has a gently sloping flattened summit above 200 metres above the forest plain. Sigiriya is Asia's best preserved city of the first millennium, showing complex urban planning around the base of the rock and sheer bravado in the palace perched on the summit.

Diwali is also known as Deepawali, or the "festival of lights". Light is significant in Hinduism because it signifies goodness. So, during the festival of lights, 'deeps', or oil lamps are burned throughout the dayand into the night toward off darkness and evil. Homes are filled with these oil lamps, candles and lights.

Pinnawela orphanage is situated northwest of the town Kegalla, halfway between the present capital Colombo and the ancient royal residence Kandy in the hills of central Sri Lanka. The orphanage was started in 1975 by DWL (Department of Wild Life). It is covering 25 acres of land and there are proposals...

Sinharaja Forest Reserve is one of the least disturbed and biologically unique lowland rain forest in Sri Lanka. This forest covers an extent of about 11187 hectares from east to west. It was declared a Man and Biosphere Reserve (MAB) in 1978 and has been recognized by UNESCO...