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Natalie and Karen-Marie Dolan – France
Hello we are Natalie and Karen-Marie from France presently in one of the most beautiful countries in the world that is Sri Lanka known as the pearl of the Indian Ocean., where I arrived for a volunteer and cultural programme last month organization called “RCDP”. Since the Arrival at the Airport it was a great experience traveling in a taxi with traffic and nice green color all over up to the destination. We were traveling in the evening when all the offices were closed for business and the people on the roads were very colorful and cheerful always with smiles on their faces. We arrived at the host family “Galle” late in the night and that night was my first ever out of my country and the host family with their daughter and son were very happy meeting me. We introduced ourselves.
This is our second day of the program, in fact orientation day. Mr. Paul “Coordinator from Sri-lanka” he gave us wonderful orientation and he is very friendly. He made orientation extremely fruitful so we were able to learn about Sri Lankan custom, culture and language within week. There is nothing to say about because we are really thankful for RCDP and its Coordinator.
After our one week training course we started working on the project was awesome, kids were lovely and very friendly environmental. At the beginning we were lost because we didn't have any knowledge about what is volunteering? But Mr. Paul “RCDP Coordinator” used to come and did briefing how to work to be carried out in the project so quite good impression with RCDP. We were group of 4, two from RCDP and two from Global Crossroad we worked as a team no frustration and disappointed.
We have spent two months with the host family and project but during this period firstly we were eager to learn about the culture of the Sri Lankan as well as their language in order to help myself in the short stay and think that we did. It was amazing to see the people with smiles and happy even though just after the Tsunami which had almost taken away all what their forefathers had collected for them in just one horrific day but every thing is good at the moment and we had the chance to go with the host family to see very beautiful temples in the south and also the wild sanctuary where we saw elephants leopards reptiles monkeys and many kinds of birds. We also visited the elephant orphanage and also saw the ancient's cities of the kings ruling the country. My stay at the host family helped me to go to city any time I wanted and also I occasionally went to the beach for a swim and surfing which is very common and the beaches here are hot and once you get into the water it is very difficult to come out and it was so fun and fascinating time for us.
Today our two month stay is going to be over, it is very hard to describe what we now feel towards them however, we know we're going to miss our family, children and local friends. Anyway we t therefore if any one in the world do want to join in this programme I would recommend you to go to the website and direct yourself without hesitation as I feel the money you spent is rewarding event though after the tsunami which has destroyed certain areas in the country all is good and excellent
Good luck!!! We were missing you all.
I sincerely thanks for the good job done by the RCDP coordinators and I assure him that all my past memories will remain with me and also I will certainly be with you in Srilanka once again as I feel very sorry to leave you.
Natalie and Karen-Marie Dolan
From France
