Newspapers / Meredith College Student Newspaper / Jan. 25, 2006, edition 1 / Page 2
Part of Meredith College Student Newspaper / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
CAMPUS NEWS January 25f 2006 2 SRI LANKA CONTINUED FROM PAGEl hundred Sri Lankan rupees. We met a group of fishermen one morning who had been out all night filling their boat with fish—they told us they hoped to make 600-700 ru- peeSj Native Sri Lankans knew we were wealthy for the simple fact that we had made the trip to their coun try. We met very few people who had traveled internation ally. Although we were privi leged visitors, the people we met in Sri Lanka treated us with the warmest hospitality. Everyone waved, smiled, and took the time to get to know us. As an example, a group of us set out early one morning for a stroll along the beach. Within 10 minutes we ran into a man who gestured us all inside his house. His house had been devastated by the tsunami and was no more than a cinderblock staircase, hallway, and side room. Nev ertheless, he insisted that we all come in for a visit. His English was broken, but his kindness unmistakable. He rushed around cleaning off plastic chairs for us so that we could all have a seat. We stayed only for a short while since we had to get back for breakfast, but by the time we left (15 minutes after we ar rived), he and his wife were hugging us all goodbye and wishing us well. The country is somewhat of a paradox as the land scapes are gorgeous and the people are friendly despite the fact that the houses they live in are demolished, trash is piled waist high in some places, and full recovery from the tsunami seems to be a long way out. How dif ficult it was to understand how these people could be so joyful amidst so much trag edy! Signs of the tsunami were everywhere and it was inescapable in conversation. Sometimes it would be the only word I could decipher as the friends we made talk ed to us about their lives. One of the most reward ing aspects of the trip was visiting the three projects that Meredith has been a part of. Our college is financially and emotionally invested in three major projects: the Pelena grade school that was almost completely destroyed by the tsunami, an orphanage for boys who lost their fami lies due to the civil conflict, and an effort to raise funds for fishing boats in two com munities: Lovigahawaththa and Ceylon Government Railroad. I’m so proud of the work that Meredith has done in these three areas. We had the opportunity to visit all of the sites and see firsthand how Meredith efforts have made an impact. Fm nervous though about how these proj ects will be maintained in the future. It was obvious af ter visiting the sites that our time and money has been ex tremely helpful but also that there is still so much more yet to be done. 1 believe it has become the mission of all of us on the trip to ensure that these projects are continued until the needs of these won derful people are met. I was overjoyed to leam that there will be a group from Meredith returning to Sri Lanka during the sum mer. I strongly encourage everyone reading this to get involved with the Tide of Hope efforts in one way or another; research the projects on the Meredith website, off your financial support to one of the projects (everything helps), read a book about the country, keep the people there in your thoughts and prayers, or even consider making the trip yourself Af ter all, Sri Lanka is a lot like Comhuskin’.. .YOU JUST HAVE TO EXPERIENCE IT... and we all know how much fun that is! Journals from Sri Lanka Erica Oakley '07 January 3,2006 During the two days that we were in Lovigahawatha there are many moments that will remain with me forever but there is one particular memory that is extra special to me. I had become close, well as close as you can in one day, to a girl named Dilshani. The night before, a small group of us had gone down to Lovi gahawatha and visited the home of Malani and had a lovely time get ting to meet the children When it came time for us to leave, Dilshani grabbed my hand with a big smile on her face and walked with me as far as she could. The next day at the par ty, Dilshani came up to me with that same big smile on her face. During the party. pictures that Rebekah Meek had taken on a previous trip were given to the families. Afterwards, Dilshani began walking around with me and I showed her how to use my video camera. She video taped for about 15 minutes and then she disappeared. After a few minutes she came back and handed me the pictiu'e of herself that Rebekah Meek had taken. I told her that I could not take the picture but she insisted. This brought tears to my eyes. I don’t know if she had any other photos of her self though I’m quite certain that they had probably all been destroyed in the tsuna mi. I could not believe that she willingly gave it to me and I began to wonder if her mom knew. I took a picture with her and of her and told her that I would post them to her once I got back to America. I will treasure that photograph and the memo ry it holds forever. After the party and when it was time to go back to the hotel, Dilshani once again grabbed hold of my arm and walked with me all the way back to the hotel and we said our goodbyes. The next morning when a group of us went walking along the beach, I saw Dilshani walking towards me in her white school uni form. It was a won derful surprise to see her and be able to say our goodbyes once again, but I’m hoping that it wasn’t a final goodbye. Mary CovingtoD Walker ‘06 December 31, 2005 After two long days of air ports, taxis, and buses, our plane finally landed on Sri Lankan soil. It was hard to believe we had finally made it. This trip that we have talked about and discussed for the past several months was actually becoming a re ality. Wow, I am in Asia. I am in Sri Lanka. These are the first thoughts that ran through my head, halfway around the world from any thing familiar. It’s been three full days of traveling since we first arrived. From the start, it’s been one adventure after another. Our days begin early in the morning and last late in the evening, but every minute is well worth it. In the past three days I have: helped feed a baby elephant, wit nessed a herd of elephants enter a river for an afternoon bath, visited the famous Cave Temple of Dambulla, conquered the rock fortress of Sigiriya, and journeyed through a swamp riding an elephant. It’s amazing how many experiences we have encountered so far, and I look forward to the adven tures that lay ahead. I came to Sri Lanka with hopes that I could give something to this country, but Sri Lanka has given me so much in return. The kind ness and generosity of the people here is so inviting. Everywhere we go we are greeted with a smile. Our tour guide, our driver, and the other man accompanying us we call our “bodyguard” have gone above and beyond to make our trip memorable. The people here want to teach you about their culture and traditions. They want you to fall in love with Sri Lanka just as they do. And it’s working. In addition to enjoying the beautiful sights, my heart goes out to the not so love ly sights. Everywhere we go there are dogs - not cute fluffy dogs, but sick dogs. The dogs suffered from mal nutrition and a skin disease. If just breaks my heart to see them lying on the road so helpless, and no way to help them.
Meredith College Student Newspaper
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Jan. 25, 2006, edition 1
2
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75