Back 'home'!!

Well, the rain is raining....hasn't stopped all day!! so decided i would update yet again, seeming as i cant really go out!!

But today i went to Ruhunu Baby House where i was years and years ago...
From what i heard it is very different, there have been a lot of changes and new buildings have been added, but there are about 60 children i think that are there from a few months to toddlers. There is only one disabled boy left there out of about 5 previously who were taken to Colombo, but there is no room anywhere for this last one so he just stays in his cot all day looking at the ceiling, the women don't know what to do with him and he is getting a little to big and difficult to control. the other children are nicely looked after and there a several volunteers who are there also helping.
We first went in a said hello to the matron and the staff there in the 'office', and then told them i had been there and then she went to the cupboard and asked for my name when i was there and she found my name in the book and it had the dates i was admitted and when i left!! it was quite strange really. Especially as I was to give them my other name!! Turns out that the sir name that i was given is quite a prestigious one!! seeming as i don't remember any of my life in Sri Lanka let alone in that home, its sort of difficult to register that i actually existed there for a few months!! but it was nice to see and to play with the children there for a bit and to hold the babies!! i think that one other girl working there was also a child in the home, but she never left Galle.
the women were nice, though there was one who was quite insistant that i ask my parents for money to give to the home!! and that they need a dining table and all sorts!! but apart from that it was good.

we then went on to a girls house which was just behind, with girls who are older and are orphaned, or who have been abused. Some have their babies with them in the home. they seem to be well looked after too and they go to school and they were quite joyful which was nice, though they didnt really speak English so that limited my interaction with them quite alot!! and also behind that home we went to visit the boy juvenile centre where the boys are put whilst they wait for the court order concerning them. the youngest there was 11 and the oldest 18, and they stay there sometimes for up to a year. but they seemed like mischievious but nice polite boys, there were 16 this time, and they were just sitting in a room with bars around but they also seemed quite happy just hanging out with each other!!

i was able to speak to a guest here from America who works in the East quite a bit, and he is going to give me some contacts and people to talk to who are in the East and are involved in projects ranging from working with children, to reconciliation between the Tamils and the Muslims.

So then i spoke to Murray about it and he is actually going to the East and hour south of Batticoloa, and so i will be going with them when they go and maybe staying a week or so to look around...so that is quite good.