May i take this opportunity to wish all the Paddle4relief team and the p4r supporters a very merry Christmas and an extremely prosperous New Year. Thank you to all of you for your support throughout 2008. May you all be blessed with good health and happiness. I look forward to catching up with you all at the 2009 events.
Hopefully there will soon be pictures of our latest trip to Sri Lanka on the website. Apologies for the delay but out of our control as sometimes technology does go kapput!
Be safe in all you do. Enjoy, and live for the day. May laughter and happiness be all around you all.
Thank you.
Tim
ps - massive thanks to Matt and John for this awesome website.
December 24th, 2008
Well the lights are on but i’m unsure as to whether anyone is in! The joys of jet lag following a 36hr door to door journey suffering monsoon rains and what seemed to be excessive security checks!
I had written this blog before but we had a power cut, here in Braunton - thought i was back in Sri Lanka!
Now i cannot remember what i wrote! Probably a result of not sleeping or eating since arriving home at 1am this morning, some 19hrs ago!
Have had the joy of having my credit card cloned, and used in Australia! Last time it was cloned and used in America! The only link i can see is it is always following use of the card in Colombo, and i tend to shop at the same stores!
Apparently the surf was pumping here today but alas my focus was on catching up with paperwork - maybe tomorrow, but the thought of 5mm rubber, frost, boots and gloves (wherever they might be hiding themselves) doesnt quite get my blood flowing, or the adrenaline rushing!
i cannot say i am looking forward to recommencing the renovations on my house, but sooner done, sooner out of the country to warmer climates!
Perhaps now is the time to crash, as the keyboard becomes a blurr!!
Laters, Tim.
December 15th, 2008
The kids are destroying me at present, have been for the past two days. They are upset that i am leaving. Their tears are tearing me apart. I am back to wearing the sunnies to hide my tears. Don’t want them to see me shedding tears. I have to be strong, keep smiling and laughing for them. Giving them reassurance that i will be back, yet not knowing if i will be! It hurts, hurts more every time i come out. The bond becomes stronger on every visit. I wish i had more time. More time to spend with them. It takes so little to give them so much. And them to make my life so much richer.
I know that it is hard to understand for those of you who have not experienced what i have. To realise the difference one can make. I know i have critics back home, but fortunately not here. Here they see what i do. They share the experience with me. They don’t understand what i do in the UK but that is not important. What is important is the time i spend here with the community, building the trust and relationships. For the parents to allow me to take their children to the sea to swim. For them to trust me after such losses four years ago.
This is my last few hours here. I have 10hrs in a van before arriving at the airport. The journey is tiring but the experience allows me to spend that time reflecting. It is emotional but i’ll not change it for anything. I am prepared to sacrifice a huge amount of my life and opportunities just so that i can give a little to those that have suffered so much, and will never have the opportunities that i have had.
I thank my parents for my life being so rich. My true friends for allowing me to be me, supporting me, and accepting that i am human and that i am not perfect, and i make mistakes, and hopefully i learn from them. And i thank all of you who have supported me in allowing me to achieve so much. Be safe in all you. Be happy. Thank you.
See you in the UK.
Tim
December 13th, 2008
Another productive day painting at the pre-school blessed us with seeing huge groups of beautiful Green Parrots flying around, along with Yellow Oriols. There were three of us being productive today, myself, Thusantha and Jayanantha. Hopefully everyone will like the new design when it is finally completed inside and out.
We worked until 2.45pm when the hunger for lunch could not be contained any longer. The downside is that i now have a very distinct rice n curry belly! Unfortunately i didn’t carry out any physical work after the late lunch. I was feeling too ill and fatigued. I am not sleeping well, only a few hours each night, and then restless with my insect bitten raw legs! My immune system appears to be in my boots at the moment, sore throat, blocked nose, mouth ulcers, cramps and swollen ankles!
I am torn! I want to stay out here through the next few months, to continue with more well projects and research training/further education programmes for some of the young people in the village. Most yyoung people here do not get the opportunities we get to continue to study, to follow the career/vocation path they wish for. Most of the young men follow their fathers into becoming fishermen, or working seasonally in the tourist establishments. Some manage to get huge loans so that they can work in the middle east. This can be a risk as some of the agents take their money without ever finding them a job.
The family’s black puppy, Tube, went to the animal doctor today. He got a little angry with the doctor when the surgical spirit was used to clean his wounds! He had an injection and has some tablets to take. No stitches, which i was extremely surprised about seeing the injuries are so deep and gaping. He is not himself, just curled up asleep, not really responding to tlc, but he has been through alot for a three month old pup this past 24hrs.
I’ll leave you now and head up the hill to the family home for some dinner.
Tim
December 10th, 2008
Tonight has seen a mad dog terrorising the community! This dog has attacked two individuals in the past week. Tonight it has been running around the south area of the village attacking other dogs. Men have been in groups searching for the dog. Unfortunately ‘Tube’, the families young 3 month old black pup, who has a twin brother, also called ‘Tube’, who happens to be more white!, ended up with his head in the jaws of the mad dog! Tube has always stuck his nose in where not wanted, growls alot, is grumpy and very brave. He now has two big holes in his face, virtually all the way through from the outside of his nose to the inside of his mouth. The holes are gaping and need stitching up. We have cleaned his wounds. The other four dogs are in close company around him now. He appears to be in shock, very quiet and reserved - not the Tube we know.
Most of the day was spent at the pre school again. We have again cleared the guttering and made some repairs. The monkeys continue to damage the roof and guttering, as well pooing everywhere! We plan to put up some old fishing net tomorrow to protect the outdoor classroom area from the marauding little devils! The tree branches got cropped back and i started painting new designs on the walls. We hope to do a plant potting group with the kids tomorrow arvo, after i have finished the painting. Babu has been helping out. He is 14yrs old, from a poor family, and he believes that school is a waste of tiime! He says he can learn all he needs to know by going fishing and finding work. Having spoken with him, he has an interest in outboard motors. I plan to find out about courses so that he can become a mechanic - depends on what schooling he has to have to attend the course!
The flea problem continues as i find myself constantly scratching! Never before have i experienced this problem in Sri Lanka.
i am fading fast at the moment, having only had 3hrs sleep last night. I got to bed around 4am having spent the night on the internet and in editing photos and collating well project information.
Small wave. No surfing as no time!
Sleep time
Tim
December 9th, 2008
No tripping over turtles on my way home tonight, unlike the past week! The mosquitos though are more than making up for it! The rains have definitly seen them awaken with extreme tenacity! Flea wise - nothing is working! My lower legs are raw - nice! We have new medicine today so hopefully that will destroy the little blood suckers.
A productive day has been had. Not producing amazing amounts of physical activity but achieving the necessary, be some of the tasks tedious! Yes, accounts with first Thusantha, and then Krishantha. Well Project report meeting with Krishantha has shown that there is a distinct increase in families using the wells we have cleaned, repaired and improved. Hopefully another two or three wells will be complete before i return home in five days time.
We managed to do some work up at the pre school today as well! Only small tasks such as putting up shelves, repairing the see saw again, sorting out the broken toys and the joy of cleaning out the water tank - delightfully full of mosquito larvae.
The days seem to go quicker than ever. Perhaps because i only have a few left here.
Yesterday i had an hours R & R. There was a wave at Baby Point so i went for a surf - the first time in a month! I paddled like Bambi walks! And got cramp in my ankles. No waves today.
Planning on a full days work at the pre school tomorrow. Have painting to do and some guttering to repair following a mass invasion from the local monkey population! Fortunately we got materials early today as tomorrow everywhere will be closed due to a Muslim Festival. Sri Lanka tends to have masses of holidays due to the different religions. Thursday is Poyet (Full Moon Holiday - Buddhists) and friday is again Mosque Day so no shops again. Definitly got to think ahead here. Not like the UK, where shops are open 24/7.
It’s now three minutes to midnight so time for some Z’s!
December 8th, 2008
Panic in the village! Cyclone/tsunami warning being blasted out through the mosque call for prayer speakers.
Having phoned the UK for an update and accessed the net myself the nearest cyclone is travelling to india and the region of orissa from the Andaman/Nicobar islands. The direction its travelling is north west and Sri Lanka lies South West. So it looks like another panic cry that creates so much distress amongst the villagers.
I was up the hill towards the Pre School and Buddhist Temple when i heard the news. Everyone said not to go to my cabana, which is next to the beach, in fear that a tsunami was coming. Me, being as stubborn as usual, continued down the hill and headed to the cabana but phoning the Uk as i went. I finally got through to Debs, our artwork and sign writing expert, who confirmed there was no cyclone or tsunami warning for Sri Lanka.
Life is never dull out here, thats for sure. The other evening there was mass panic as the ‘hooking people’ were coming. Unfortunately much of the community, in the area i stay in, get electricity through hooking up illegally to the power lines! Every so often, normally the day before it is ‘Court Day’, the electricity board are out catching those that are hooking! Fines vary depending on the size of your house and the amount of electric items you have in your house. Anything up to 1Lak (approx 625 sterling) It is partly amusing, as everyone turns off all the power, disconnects the lines, lights candles and kerosene lamps!
Go to go, credit out on internet connection.
Bye
December 4th, 2008
My skin is alive at the moment! Three days of working into the night and being attacked by every insect alive, there doesnt appear to be any flesh left to bite! Fortunately Piriton is cheap to buy here!The eldest daughter of the most helpful and giving family i have come across in the village gets married on the 3rd dec. Everyone is mucking in to paint and varnish the house ready to decorate for the big day. There are many times when i think there is no community spirit here but the last few weeks have really showed me there is a very strong bond. Having gone through three deaths recently, an emergency operation, and soon a wedding i have seen how everyone pulls together when its needed. I will be back to the pre school in 2 days to carry out some much needed maintenance that i have neglected to do due to the preoccupation with the Well projects. Must go as its 10.22pm and i am late for dinner! Badeginni (Hungry)
November 25th, 2008
Just a quick mention to Chantal Denham. Chantal, who is our media person, has been a huge successs in the village of ABay with the kids. She has worked tirelessly at the pre-school and been a tower of energy and motivation. Chantal has taken the reigns with the cricket group and improved her batting no end. Her bowling is less impressive, although her fielding is exceptional. the kids are at a loss without her. Unfortunately the Swimming Club has been on hold due to sea being too rough - hopefully when you come out next time. Thank you Chantal for coming out here in Sri Lanka for the past two months. It has been a pleasure working with you.
November 25th, 2008
Hi,
Paul here, i spoke to Tim last week and i thought i would do this quick post to keep you all updated on his current trip, cheers.
The lack of reliable Internet connection in the bay has made it extremely difficult to get any photo’s or lengthy news pieces from the trip uploaded onto the blog, it takes a long time to get initially connected; then half way through any work, that connection is lost, much to Tim’s frustration. what has added to his frustration is the fact that a lot of his media work has now been lost due to a hard drive malfunction( hopefully this will be recovered on his return to the UK).
The loss of this data/work is causing him a great deal of distress. Accompanied with bad weather,(the monsoon season has not been kind) has limited the amount of manual work being able to be carried out, and the fact that the team were very excited about using the new website to post up to date information as it happened and the poor communications not allowing this, has added to this trip’s obstacles and made it a very challenging month or two for Tim, both physically and mentally. Despite these setbacks he is continuing to chip away at the mountain of tasks aimed at improving the lives of many in Aragum Bay.
A lot has been achieved this trip also; work has been maintained on several more wells (see Tim’s blog) and activities with the children at the school has continued. Idea’s and plans for new projects have been established and ongoing work has reached near completion.
So, all in all, the good work continues, and the list of achievments contines to grow ,maybe sometimes not as swiftly as we hope, but still we move on and the work get’s done.
Thanks for your continuing support and interest.
Paul.
November 23rd, 2008
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