By Ruby Hutchinson, England

My experience with the Green Lion has been so amazing and insightful. I spent the first 4 weeks helping with the special needs project. I’d had experience working with people with disabilities in England, but this was a totally different experience to what I was used to back home.

Firstly, there are over 100 girls living at the home run by nuns. They do the best they can to give these girls an enriched and stable life. The routine is the same everyday with lessons in the morning and playtime in the afternoon. Considering these girls have often very complex needs, they are on the whole, very happy, smiling and laughing all the time. Finding joy in the more simple of things; bubbles, singing, playing hiding and seek and my personal favourite; painting nails!

I have enjoyed this project so much and it really makes you appreciate the little things in life. I get excited every morning, knowing that I will arrive to lots of smiley faces. I would recommend this project to anyone, as long as you have a lot of love to give, you will be the biggest help to them and really make a difference. Green lion have been fantastic in supporting throughout, the accommodation is great, along with the delicious food, meeting lots of amazing like-minded people, it has been the best experience.

I then took a week to change to the Dambulla accommodation. It is very remote and incredibly peaceful. Along with 2 other participants, we spent our days helping construct a pre school situated on the land of our accommodation. We helped sand the walls, mix cement and sieve sand and rocks. It was very physical but lovely being able to work outdoors in such a beautiful tranquil setting.

After a short cycle down the dirt track, we then spent the afternoons teaching the local village kids. I loved this as it allowed me to be creative in creating games and activities that made learning English fun and engaging. The kids were very receptive and I feel that even in the short space of time we had, they definitely picked up new English words and phrases.

In the evenings we relaxed, chatted, played cards and ate dinner, listening to the sounds of the jungle animals. We have had the most wonderful week with our fantastic coordinators; Rashmi and Shyamala. I will head back now for my final week at the special needs home and already cannot wait to see those infectious smiles when I return.

Green Lion have been fantastic and have made me feel very much at home. I feel very safe and supported, with Hermantha and his team always being on hand to help.

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