Mick and Val Chittenden went to Sri Lanka to visit the 5 children they sponsor. During their visit they were invited to be the special guests at Ullala school, for a presentation of shoes and school books. The money to buy these shoes and books was raised by UKFG, primarily through activities at Willborough Junior school and Kennington Junior School in Ashford plus Alan Keen
Devsiri’s family in Sri Lanka arranged a car and after a 2 hours drive through the countryside near Galle took Mick and Val to the Ullala school in Matara district. And what a reception!
The school band in full costume awaited their arrival, and escorted them into the school. Pupils lined the roads. Mick was invited to raise the school falg then they were escorted into the main school hall, where all the pupils and teachers awaited. The school principle, the head of the local education authority and other dignitaries gave speeches, and schoolchildren performed Sri Lankan dances. UKFG’s Galle chairman Mr Sirisena Gamage presented shoes and books to pupils.
At the end of the presentation, Val was asked to serve ice-creams to the children, kndly donated by another UKFG sponsor – Margaret Taylor from Florida USA.
Mick and Val then went to the home of the school’s vice principle for a huge feast especially made for them.
These people have so little, and demand nothing, yet their school is so important. The school was pleased with UKFG’s small gift of shoes and books and everbody involved was truly honoured.
Mick and Val have been asked if they can provide some computer equipment for the school. So if anyone knows of some second hand computer equipment that is sitting around, please consider donating it to a very worth school. The only overheads would be the shipping!
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