Day 2 - Wednesday, 27th of January 2016

A busy day of bargaining 

This morning found us in the busy market town of Panadura.
We had one aim today: to complete a new vocational room for the older girls at Kalamusu Kedella.
Naomi is very keen on giving some of her protégées a profession by the time they leave the home. She has long dreamed of a room where the older girls can learn how to sew. She has enlisted a local seamstress who has committed to teach her trade to the girls.

We have purchased three portable Singer machines that can be used for practice and two larger, sturdier ones that will be put to use making clothes for the smaller children. An overlock machine (for finer finishes) was also added to today’s purchases thanks to Jorge’s mum, Alicia who is herself a hobby dressmaker.

“I cannot tell you how important this is for us. By teaching a profession to the girls, we can give them a way of earning a living in the future. Also, while they are making clothes for the little ones, not only they can practice but also develop a sense of pride in their work.” – Naomi told us.

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We arrived with suitcases packed of arts and crafts sets – very hard to come by supplies around here. We spent an unforgettable afternoon making all sorts of fun creations with the boys and girls.

Imagine a room full of 50 children between the ages of 4 and 16…

For 2 full hours.

Some sort of trouble is guaranteed, right?

Not one laud word, not a disagreement, not a single child getting up from their chair to mess around.
Picture older children patiently helping out the little ones, absolute concentration on their work, grateful smiles, deep respect towards the grown-ups, many-many genuine thanks.

But of course, it is really us who are to be grateful.

We are the ones who were taught yet another important lesson today.

Tomorrow, we are off to Colombo bright & early.
Remember to check in with us again.

Hitting the market early in the morning at Panadura to shop for supplies for the home. 

Jorge is keeping count of every cent. 

Naomi has enlisted a local seamstress to teach some of the older girls how to sew. We have purchased 2 of these larger machines and 3 smaller ones so the girls can learn, practice and - in time - contribute to the running of the home with their creations. 

Naomi, Judith and Rui are busy picking out all sorts of sewing materials. 

The merchants of Panadura may never forget Jorge's tough bargaining...
At the end though, we got the best possible deals while spending money in the local area. 

That feels nice.
Naomi and Judith are choosing materials for children's clothes. 

An engineer is always as engineer. While out shopping, Rui is helpfully repairing some shop fittings. 

A family that truly lives by their values.
Naomi with her mum, Nelum and her children, Zohar and Joash. 
Both ladies are former school teachers - you can tell immediately how genuinely they care for the children under their wings. 

Some minor traffic delays on the way home. 

Mission accomplished. Smiles all around on the way home. We got everything sorted for the new sewing room for the girls. 

Bambi is all set for this afternoon's arts & crafts session. 

Hearts & flowers. Judith is showing the children how to make flowers out of a few straws. 

Room decoration? Sorted. 

While we unfortunately do not speak Sinhalese, language barriers quickly break down while having fun together. 

Creativity in full force. The girls are keen to put their own marks on the crafts. 

Jorge is lending a helping hand. 

A garden of beautiful flowers. 

That was fun! 

Proud artists in the making. 

Hard to say who is more tired at the end of the day.
Seyoni - the youngest of the children living in the home - has quickly stolen our hearts. 

Today gets a thumbs up.