Day 3 - Thursday, 28th of January 2016

Music is a universal language 

Another action packed day of getting supplies for the children. With Naomi joining us, we headed towards Colombo early in the morning. 

As construction of the new dining room has now finished, all was left to do is to purchase necessities such as plates, cups, cutlery, water jugs, serving dishes and table clothes. Recalling memories of our own old classrooms and childhood bedrooms, we are also keen on making the new hall as inviting and warm as possible so we picked out a range of decorative items. 

Slowly ticking off every item on list, we filled our car with a set of new clothes for every child, ordered 60 sets of bedsheets and pillowcases and had great fun selecting all sorts of toys for our little friends. 

We can’t wait to put everything into place on Friday! 

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Without a doubt the highlight of our day was when we finally returned to Kalamusu Kedella in the afternoon. And we planned a special surprise for the children! We all settled down on the grass out in the garden when Rui suddenly appeared with his guitar. 

While we do not speak each other languages, the classic sounds of “Old MacDonald had a farm” and “If you're happy and you know it” magically broke down all our communications barriers. Some of the children were quicker than others to join us in shouting “Hurray!”, but eventually they all happily sang along 

Rui singing "We are one" from the Lion King had all of us grown-ups close to tears and the power of music slowly cast its spell on the children too. 

Nelum was keen on translating the meaning of the lyrics – she felt that it carries a very important message: 

“Tears of pain, tears of joy

One thing nothing can destroy

Is our pride, deep inside

We are one.”

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While we are on the road, we try to fit in as many conversations with Naomi as possible to find out more about their everyday lives. We were curious to know the cost of feeding the children. Like in many families, one of the most significant expenses Naomi is faced with is doing groceries for the home. The overall cost of meals is approximately 10.000 Sri Lankan Rupee per day for entire orphanage – about 200 LKR (circa 1.4 USD or 5 AED). 

Since we received a number of message from all over the world asking how you could help out, we are sharing details of the home here. If you would like to contribute, you can donate to Kalamusu Kedella directly or reach out to Judith at Judith.Duffy@Sheraton.com for more information.

BANK DETAILS

Name of account: People for Care and Learning Society

Account no: 0050-02359328-001

SWIFT code: SEYBLKLX

Address: Seylan Bank, Galle Road, Panadura

Rise & shine.
Leaving for Colombo at the crack of dawn. 

Swinging into high gear.
Early morning traffic on our way to Colombo to pick up more supplies for the children. 

Since the home is run on a very tight budget and can only afford to buy the most necessary items, there is just no money left at the end of the month for treats or toys. Keen to show the children a good time, we picked up a bunch of balls, badminton sets, skipping ropes and board games during our visit to the stores. 

A basket of fun.
We can not wait to share them with the children. 

Portugal vs. Spain: 0:0.
The guys are fitting in some football practice before their upcoming match with the kids. 

Lullaby and good night.
Judith is picking out materials for new bed sheets and pillows. 

So what is your last price again?
Jorge and Rui are negotiating rates to get the best possible deals for the home.
After a lengthy discussion, we purchased crockery, cutlery and serving dishes for the new dining room. 

When you are shopping for 50 boys and girls, you got to be super organised.
Naomi is expertly navigating the store when we go to pick up new trousers and T-shirts for the children. While she has detailed notes and sizes, she closes her eyes and pictures each and every child before making the final decision. 

Girls will be girls.
Instead of buying bulk of the same colour and design, Judith picked out individual T-shirts for all of the girls. 

Happy customers, happy merchant.
Upon hearing the purpose of our trip, this well-meaning merchant offered 12% discount on all items bought and promised Naomi that he will keep her in mind when he has excess stock. 

A friendship in the making.
Judith and Naomi are lost in discussion while navigating the lively streets of Colombo. 

Sing your heart out.
Our Hungarian - Portuguese musical duo is busy practicing their songs on the way home. 

Rolling out the welcome mat.
Victor, the host in our guesthouse, Feel Homestay is treating us to true Sri Lankan hospitality.
Always on hand with recommendations, he wants to ensure that we have the best possible experience of his country. 

Finally, you are back! 

Music to our ears.
While initially some of the children were a little shy, slowly all of them opened up as Rui played the guitar and we sang together popular nursery rhymes.   

Up above the world so high...
Although only a handful of children speak a little English, they picked up the lyrics of "Twinkle, twinkle little star" remarkably quickly. 

Twinkle, twinkle, all the night...
We slowly - slowly fall asleep as bedtime is approaching.

Have a look at some of our videos signing together with the children. It will surely put a smile on your face.

"Old MacDonald had a farm" is always a hit with children - no matter where you are in the world.

We all well up a little as Rui sings beautifully "We are one" from the Lion King.

Continuing with our trip's international theme, Judith is singing her mother's favourite lullaby in Hungarian.

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. 

Day 1 - Tuesday, 26th of January 2016

Start of a beautiful friendship 

After many months of preparations, this morning we have finally made our way to Kalutara, located south of Colombo to visit our friends at the Kalamusu Kedella Children’s Home. 

And what a first sight it was! 

All 50 of the home’s current residents were waiting for us in front of the main porch. They have prepared beautiful flower necklaces for us as a gift. We felt genuinely welcome and appreciated for the interested that our hotel expressed in the children’s life. 

A tour of the home revealed a series of modest, but very well-maintained bedrooms where the children are housed. The facility heavily relies on donations which are used to improve the everyday life of the children. 

Our hosts are Naomi and her family – husband, mother, father and two beautiful children - who are responsible for the running of the orphanage. You could not picture a more caring, warm and genuine group of people… We were left speechless at times hearing about the hardship and suffering some of the children have experienced during their short lives. 

We are heading to a nearby town tomorrow to purchase all kind of supplies for the children. We will be back to you again with more about the life behind the tall gates of Kalamusu Kedella. 

It is well after midnight here now, so off to bed quickly, we have a very busy day ahead of us.

En route to Kalutara from Colombo.

Driving on the busy roads of  Colombo, sometimes we had to agree with the philosophy of this tuk-tuk driver.
"I am happy just because I am alive." 

Delicious coconuts are sold by the side of the main road - just chop off the top, pop in a straw and your refreshment is ready.  

Finally, we are only a few hundred meters away! Signpost showing the way to our destination, Kalamusu Kedella Child Development Centre. 

What a welcome! All 50 children of the home are waiting for our arrival on the porch of the main building. 

Compliments to the boys. Their bedrooms are arranged very neat and tidy. 

Dumbo, do you hear me? We have to get our homework done before dinner. 

Most of the children are sharing communal bedrooms but some of the older girls get to have more privacy. 

Smiley, but cautious introductions, While they understand some English, most of the children do not speak the language.  

The teddy bears and the bed linen are donations of generous benefactors from overseas. 

The youngest children are the quickest to interact with us. Wherever we go, curious little eyes follow our steps. 

The children are all attending a nearby school. 

So how much is this? Jorge is helping out with the maths homework. 

Some of the boys are proudly showing off their artworks. 

D-Day is here

D is for departure today...

We are all packed, checked in and ready for take off at Abu Dhabi Airport.

We are beyond excited to finally meet Naomi and all the little ones at the Kalamusu Kadella Children’s Home in Sri Lanka. 

A huge shout out to Etihad for generously sponsoring our tickets to Colombo. Thank you! 

Jorge, Judith and Rui ready for departure at Abu Dhabi Airport

Grateful to our generous sponsor, Etihad for supporting our trip 

Well... We can probably fit a toothbrush in here... Our luggage is full of surprises for children.

Ready for take off

Hotel team to visit Sri Lanka in January 

Rui, Jorge and Judith will be bringing the hotel's good wishes to Sri Lanka 

Since the construction is now close to completion, three members of Sheraton Abu Dhabi’s team will travel to the Kalutara region from the 25th of January for a week to assist with the final touches.
We will also provide school supplies, clothes, arts & crafts, toys and everyday necessities to the children.
Rui Maroto from Portugal, Jorge Guisasola from Spain and Judith Pasztor Duffy from Hungary will be bringing Abu Dhabi’s well-wishes to the children.

Follow our team’s blog here for daily updates about their travels and experiences.

Finishing touches

Last week of construction 

We have just received news from the home in Sri Lanka that the construction is now in its final week.
Only a few finishing touches left to complete and the room will be ready for the children.
Since the construction is now close to completion, three members of our hotel team will travel to Kalutara to meet the children from the 25th of January for a week.
We are counting the days...

Creating a space where the children can spend time together

The facility houses over 50 boys and girls

Close to completion

Interior work has started 

Due to circumstances out of our control, construction was halted for a number of months. As of November 2015 however we are delighted to confirm that we are back on track and construction continues on the new dining & community hall.  The builders are currently working on the flooring of the room.
We estimate to finish the project by January 2016. The same time a small team from Sheraton Abu Dhabi is planning to visit the home personally. We cannot wait to see the completed building and finally meet the children!

Flooring is being put in place 

Finish line in sight

Dining hall roof is completed

We have received some great news from Naomi and the team: the dining hall nears completion as the roof of the building is now in place.

As the final steps of the construction, interior works will commence soon with the flooring of the hall.

We are all very exited to see the finished construction!

Construction continues 

Friends in need

Charity markets raise AED 70.000

Our popular charity flea market held recently at Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort proved to be another success story raising an additional AED 22.000 for our charity fund of AED 70.000 (approximately USD 19.000).

Sold out market raises AED 22.000

The event showcased 90 private exhibitors selling pre-loved items from their homes and welcomed hundreds of visitors looking for the best bargains.

We would like to thank all our exhibitors and visitors for their continued support and generous contributions.

The exact date of the next charity flea market will be announced soon. If you wish to be added to our mailing list, contact Sabine.Farah@Sheraton.com

Thank you to all our contributors 

If you wish to make contributions to the home directly, you can do so by using the following account:

Name of account: People for Care and Learning Society

Account no: 0050-02359328-001

SWIFT code: SEYBLKLX

Address: Seylan Bank, Galle Road, Panadura

Three members of the hotel’s management team are in the process of arranging a sponsored trip to Kalutara to personally bring Abu Dhabi’s well wishes to the children.