Weeks 3 and 4

We spent the week at Sambodhi school getting ready for the Independence Day assembly. The children practiced songs and their parts for the performance on Feb, 3rd, (Sri Lankan Independence Day is Feb. 4th, but it is a school holiday). I was asked by the teachers to draw different Sri Lankan heroes for the occasion. I spent most of the week with the oldest students. I would draw an outline of a hero from their books and try to get them to color it in. They were very shy to try and paint the faces, but very interested in watching.
 

The assemby was very proud occasion for the school. The students seemed honored and excited to play their parts. Many parents came to the school to watch the performance.

click here for additional photos:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=266649&id=552870904&l=6c9519e85c

(scroll through because I put all of the Sambodhi photos from the last two weeks in one folder)

At Sambodhi Home I am working with the residents on making personal choices, specifically choices about color and choices of materials. In the previous week, I noticed many of the residents waiting for me to give them colors and materials and thought it would be helpful to let them choose for themselves. It is very interesting to see what each person prefers. The residents seem to really enjoy our time together. Some of them have started waiting for me outside of the school to walk with me over to the home to help set up for our art group. One man (called Udaya) has been carrying some of his artwork around in his pocket. I noticed him looking at it while he was waiting for me one day. He folded up the pictures, put them back in his pocket, grabbed my arm and started walking me over to the home with the biggest smile. How I wish I could speak Sinhala, it would be wonderful to know more fully what they are thinking.

Udaya loves art

We made a paper chain out of strips of everyone's artwork. We say,
Art: Kah-laah-wah
Together: Ekah-tah-ek-vah
One: E-kah
Family: Dah-vu-lah
I hope to continue it around our whole space. A woman called Latha missed art group that day and made some links on her own that evening. She dragged me to her room the next morning to show me her work. I just about cried, it was really touching to see her excitement about the activity.

We cleaned out the library. Which was really a closet. I didn't really get too many "before" photos because I was so motivated to jump in and get it done. Its just as well... alot of things were very dirty, moldy and covered with cobwebs - not a pretty sight. I also came across many different bugs I never care to see again. Its for the best the light didn't work.

As I started to drag out old boxes and piles of books, the residents were very intrigued. They jumped right into help. Terrance, a wonderful man who works at Sambodhi told me that the residents were very happy to be cleaning the books with me.

We wiped each book clean of dust and dirt and I tried to organize them as best I could - English books, Sinhalese books, books in other languages such as French and Dutch, coloring books and blank school books. While doing this we found many art supplies as well. The residents were thrilled and so was I. We now have many sets of craypas, markers and colored pencils to use. I also found some larger paper, colored construction paper and games. The best part was when a girl called Nishanthi came home from school and picked out one the books to start reading. It was a really good day.

We also made masks this week. This was a riot. The residents loved it. It was so heart warming to see them wear the masks walking around the home. I hope you enjoy the photos. Click here to see more photos: 

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=266649&id=552870904&l=6c9519e85c

AND thanks so much for reading.

photo link

I think this may link to more photos:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=264969&id=552870904&l=5cc534c40a

 

Week 2

Sambodhi School
I spent alot of time using modeling clay with this class. Some of the children had not used clay before. They were very excited to learn that they could make things with it. Mostly, the children would watch what I made and then try to recreate it. I showed them that the clay could stick to their faces by putting some on my nose. They found it hilarious and began sticking it to their own faces which made for some really fun photos. (If you can, check my facebook page to see more... it is much easier to upload and share there).

 

The girl in the back row cannot walk and has limited mobility of her arms. I spent a half hour showing her how to use oil pastels and holding her hands to help her make marks. By the end of the half hour she was making marks on her own and choosing colors. She also really enjoyed the clay and yells for it when she sees me.

I have started helping this boy with Autism, named Dulmina, with his English. The first day I met him, he just kept yelling English words at me that he knew "TV, DVD, Computer... Understand????" He reads to me from his workbook and we do different worksheets together. Sometimes he just listens to me speak and he copies my words. He also points to pictures of things and I will tell him the English word for it. He remembers them all. He is really remarkable.  He loves to use my digital camera and searches my pockets for it. Everyday he amazes me.

I am also working with the music teacher to teach this girl, Sandura, to sing "I have a dream" by Abba. The song's lyrics are in her English work book, and the teacher new some of the tune but not all of it. I downloaded it for them to hear and now we all sing it together as practice everyday in school and then again at the orphanage after school. She tries so hard to get the pronouncation of each word right (th sound is hard for sri lankas because it is not in their language). Sometimes she is so beautiful when she is singing I start crying.

Sambodhi Home

I am still working to come up with art activities that are appropriate for everyone's ability level with this group...
We tried some collage work. I had them tear tissure paper and crush it into small balls. Some residents were happy enough at this stage...  others went on to glue the pieces to paper and  even add paint. Either way, they seemed to really enjoy it, laughing the whole time as usual.

We also did sponge painting, such a success. The residents LOVED it. It was a great activity that everyone could do together. Most of us were covered in paint. Once the papers dried, I tore them into squares to attempt origami. Mostly, they watched me make things and then played with them, which was still great fun... I may try it again with the assistance of a translator to see if they will possibly better understand directions. Thanks for reading everyone, your support means so much to me. Again, check out facebook it you want to see more photos.