Guys and gals,
it is with regret that i have to inform you that our media officer, Chantal Denham, has resigned from the Paddle4Relief Team. Chantal has gone to follow her dreams.
Chantal was only with us for a short time but managed to make a huge impact in raising awareness and funds for this small Devon based charity. She has a gift that draws in people; informative and compelling; magnetising and electric; an extremely valuable individual.
Chantal’s energy, motivation, enthusiasm and fun loving outlook on life, combined with her excellent communication skills inspired the children in Sri Lanka immensely. As i have said in previous blogs; the children of Arugam Bay miss her dearly. It was heart tearing, and an enormous emotional burden to keep trying to explain to them that Chantal had returned to the UK. In spite of my explainations they continued to ask every day ‘Chantal coming?’ Not just one child, but many! It was like a stack of dominoes falling as i walked through the village, coming across child after child.
Chantal went out to Arugam Bay in September 2008. The first member of the team to join me in one of many aid trips i have taken to this tropical island over the past four years. Chantal focused her energies on teaching at the Montessori School that P4R renovated and extended in 2006. She had the vision to make improvements in the facilities and teaching methods, and increased the number of activity sessions with the young local children; so improving social interaction and development.
I, and the rest of the P4R Team, wish Chantal the very best for the future. I am sure she will achieve her dreams in completing her TEFL course, and working abroad with children.
Thank you Chantal. You will be sorely missed. Be safe in all you do. Enjoy lifes rich tapestry and hopefully we will be blessed with your presence in the future.
Suba Dawasak
Timothy
January 13th, 2009
Happy New Year to all. I hope that everyone has a fun filled and prosperous 2009.
I know it is a week or more into the year but i feel it’s better late than never to let others know of ones’ thoughts and wishes.
I must admit that personal issues, renovating my house and panicing over my TEFL course have been the reasons for not passing on my New Year wishes. Sorry.
It looks like it will be a tough year with the economic crisis but the Paddle4Relief Team are determined to put a smile on your face with some awesome fund raising events.
The festive period was a time of reflection for me. A time to remember 4yrs ago, of that horrific day! A day that the people of Sri Lanka, and elsewhere in the world that were affected by the tsunami try to forget. It was the day their lives were turned upside down and inside out. Nothing is really the same and nothing will be. Their memories are so painful. They carry on because they have to, but in their hearts the grief remains, the memories, the pain, the dispair. I see it so often when i am there. I hear it. “Why did it have to happen?”. “Why us?”. It tears me apart, brings me to tears. I know there is so much suffering in the world. I’ve seen so much through my travels. I dearly wish i had a magic wand to make everything alright. To take away the pain, the hunger, the thirst, and the distressing memories.
We can make a difference! We can put a smile on a childs face, food in their mouth, and fresh water to drink. We can organise activities, swimming, cricket, face painting and plant potting! We can help them to laugh and enjoy life. We can show them that others care about them.
By doing what we do, we put a smile on our own faces! So please, support us again in 2009. Enjoy the social fund raising experiences. Remember that when we have a beer, or glass of wine, there are others who are struggling to find safe drinking water for their children. P4R have been doing that. We have so far helped around 50 families gain access to safe drinking water. Let’s not stop the good work. We may be small, but we make a difference.
Join us, help us, have fun with us, come to Sri Lanka with us and experience the beautiful island with its beautiful people.
I’m now off my soap box and heading for a surf!
Thank you for reading my wittering on!
Stay positive, live life every day, and love your family and friends.
Tim
January 9th, 2009
