We completed our third distribution in the Ampara district today and were warmly greeted by the community with floral leis, a traditional dance, and invited to light a welcome lamp. The act of lighting lamps is seen as a way to invite good fortune and blessings and signifies a warm and heartfelt welcome.
We delivered 530 bedkits to children that had been bused in from the surrounding areas, many making a two and a half hour bus trip to get here.
Our OVPs had the site set up for a well-organized distribution and with help from Prefects at the school all 530 bedkits were distributed.
It was quite a challenge for the overseas partners to coordinate everything. The buses were staggered in such a way that there weren't a lot of children waiting in the heat, and we had lots of young people helping to carry the bedkits out with the children. Our volunteers were a wonderful help, as always. These young rotarians are an inspiration as they are so energetic and also good with the children.
On the way back we made a surprising visit to what used to be the dump, and what did we find? Wild elephants. Rather like the bears in Canada, elephants eat whatever they can find, but unfortunately consume plastic bags as well. This is a huge concern because the bags do pass through the system. They are very smart and will break through electric fences by pushing trees over the wires to get where they want to go. Everyone was very excited to see them.
For tranquillity we visited the most amazing temple that was built up so high that you looked over the whole area. The view was incredible and words cannot describe the feeling of peace there.
We were honoured to have the opportunity to visit. Thank you to the overseas team for this experience. We say good bye to the Rotarians in Ampara and look forward to travelling to Bibile for the distribution tomorrow.
Team Sri Lanka, 2025
Rotary Club of Kelaniya 🇱🇰 + SCAW 🇨🇦