117 kids. 3 communities. 3 days. the Hikkaduwa Salvation Army community center.
Hasitha, CCD's Child Development Officer, organized a 3-day summer camp; we hosted about 100 kids at the community center that also serves as a local church and as our project's base of operations.
The weekend was similar to a previous foster care program, but longer, and with one distinct difference: the children hopped on buses and traveled from the many communities where we're doing housing, livelihood, and community work. Approximately 8 different tsunami relocation communities were represented; it was pretty incredible to see all these children together -- and gave us a strong sense of the lives we have the opportunity to influence through this project.
Pumica (far left, with her mom, and sister) and I became great friends during a community meeting that was conducted entirely in Sinhalese. My ADHD tends to kick in about 30 minutes into these all-day affairs. (ha!) With Pumica's knowledge of English, and my ability to say my name, ask her name, and count in Sinhalese -- we had a blast. I got a fantastic pen tattoo on my hand out of the deal, and she got the longest, dangliest earrings I happened to have in my purse that day. It was fun to see her again, and get to interact with her mom and sister.
We call this "Lunchtime Recreation in the Community Center" - otherwise known as a lunch time drumming / singing / dancing session in the Church.
Some of our Salvation Army CCD staff: (L-R) Eranga (CCD Officer in Galle), Anusha (CCD Volunteer in Hikkaduwa, Ruwantha (in back, CCD Officer in Kalutara), Sahara (in blue, CCD Volunteer in Kalutara), and Sisila (HIV/AIDS Officer).
The camp session was much fun. Kids Reach is a local Christian NGO; they brought their whole troop and led all the songs, games, activities, and discussions -- the kids had a blast and adored them. Hasitha did a great job of playing the "bad cop" role and keeping all the kids in line -- corralling 117 kids of different ages from so many different communities was no small task. Kids Reach staff with the kids...
Cute little girls -- the tall "little girl" is actually an adult, and one of the staff from Kids Reach. (Estimating ages is really tricky here!)
Parents were invited also...
I was asked to "teach" the parents' session on Saturday. Which I found highly ironic, since the lady on the far left has TEN children! I really enjoyed it and learned a lot. I was surprised at how interactive the 8 adults were, and how willing to share their ideas and raise questions -- which has not been very common in group meetings. Guess what disciplinary problems they have with their children! Lying, yelling, disrespecting their parents, drinking, drugs, risky sexual behaviors, watching too much television, making poor choices (unhealthy friends, stealing)... hmmm sounds kind of familiar! 
Hasitha, CCD's Child Development Officer, organized a 3-day summer camp; we hosted about 100 kids at the community center that also serves as a local church and as our project's base of operations.
The weekend was similar to a previous foster care program, but longer, and with one distinct difference: the children hopped on buses and traveled from the many communities where we're doing housing, livelihood, and community work. Approximately 8 different tsunami relocation communities were represented; it was pretty incredible to see all these children together -- and gave us a strong sense of the lives we have the opportunity to influence through this project.
Pumica (far left, with her mom, and sister) and I became great friends during a community meeting that was conducted entirely in Sinhalese. My ADHD tends to kick in about 30 minutes into these all-day affairs. (ha!) With Pumica's knowledge of English, and my ability to say my name, ask her name, and count in Sinhalese -- we had a blast. I got a fantastic pen tattoo on my hand out of the deal, and she got the longest, dangliest earrings I happened to have in my purse that day. It was fun to see her again, and get to interact with her mom and sister.
We call this "Lunchtime Recreation in the Community Center" - otherwise known as a lunch time drumming / singing / dancing session in the Church. Some of our Salvation Army CCD staff: (L-R) Eranga (CCD Officer in Galle), Anusha (CCD Volunteer in Hikkaduwa, Ruwantha (in back, CCD Officer in Kalutara), Sahara (in blue, CCD Volunteer in Kalutara), and Sisila (HIV/AIDS Officer).
The camp session was much fun. Kids Reach is a local Christian NGO; they brought their whole troop and led all the songs, games, activities, and discussions -- the kids had a blast and adored them. Hasitha did a great job of playing the "bad cop" role and keeping all the kids in line -- corralling 117 kids of different ages from so many different communities was no small task. Kids Reach staff with the kids...
Cute little girls -- the tall "little girl" is actually an adult, and one of the staff from Kids Reach. (Estimating ages is really tricky here!)
Parents were invited also...I was asked to "teach" the parents' session on Saturday. Which I found highly ironic, since the lady on the far left has TEN children! I really enjoyed it and learned a lot. I was surprised at how interactive the 8 adults were, and how willing to share their ideas and raise questions -- which has not been very common in group meetings. Guess what disciplinary problems they have with their children! Lying, yelling, disrespecting their parents, drinking, drugs, risky sexual behaviors, watching too much television, making poor choices (unhealthy friends, stealing)... hmmm sounds kind of familiar!Everybody here has seen the movie "Titanic"... so we looked at how kids' behaviors (and adults') are like icebergs. If we only react to what we see above the surface (actions/misbehavior) without paying attention to what's underneath the surface (feelings and thoughts motivating the actions), we miss important aspects of their lives and important information on how best to respond / intervene.
posted by Adam & Mindy at 5:04 AM
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