Enlightened Special Needs

John blogs ...

Hot, sticky night with and the occasional noisy car-horn meant a somewhat disturbed night. Was convinced there was a mosquito inside the mozzie net with me.

Padmini's rooms are in Lonely Planet guide

Western breakfast of toast and jam, poached egg, drink of anodha – a fruit drink which was very pleasant, and coffee, followed by cream cake – I couldn’t resist. Long and amusing chat with Padmini, Amal’s mother, about her family, travelling and visa problems which can often be sorted for a woman if she cries! Padmini has a lovely shady courtyard garden with wonderful sculptural plants where I had breakfast with a French couple who were on a 10 day tour of Sri Lanka.

The inspirational Chitra Lane complex

Met Methsili at Cinnamon Grand at 10.30 for vocational visit to Chitra Lane School for the Special Child. An inspirational school and resource centre for children with a wide variety of special needs. It provides individualised programmes of learning to over 200 full time students and 50 part time students mainly from deprived families. High quality resources and excellent interaction between the teachers and students characterised much of what I observed. The Director – Sureni Perera – kindly spent more than an hour showing us round and was pleased to answer questions and explore some of the many challenges she faces regarding funding and curriculum interference. They receive government funding for 20 teachers and have to find money from private sources to fund the remaining 13 teachers and all the equipment. Much of this comes from a ‘child sponsorship’ program where 1500 rupees (less than £100) can provide teachers and resources. About 150 students are sponsored in this way as they are from very low income families. It struck me there’s a lot that other schools could learn from their excellent practice.

Methsili's lovely apartment

On to Methsili’s apartment next door to the Cinnamon Grand which was a beautiful place overlooking the sea. Methsili has travelled widely to 65 countries and worked with the UN in many of them. Her eclectic collection of art and other memorabilia is very beautiful. Her maid brought me a very welcome juice drink called Beli which has excellent properties to balance digestion. An interesting chat with Methsili about travel, the economy, ‘the Lotus-Eaters’ which characterises much of Sri Lanka as no family goes hungry here as everything grows in this climate and everyone has a home to live in.

Methsili and Amal amused by the dosa

An Indian meal for lunch at the Cinnamon Grand where we were joined by Amal who was interested in our education and exam systems and also about my perceptions of Sri Lanka as a tourist destination. I had a chicken biriyani whilst Methsili and Amal both had different forms of dosa – an amazing cone-like construction which just cried out to be photographed. So I obliged.

Chatted on the phone to Senake about arrangements for tomorrow’s joint Club meeting at the Hotel Gambarani for 7.00, by which time we’ll have moved on to our last hosts. Another change from the original plan, but as we’re flexible we can take it in our stride.

Evening dinner with Amal – thanks for your generosity – Methsili and Chulie, cousin of Amal and a journalist and advocate for human rights. Restaurant overlooking the port which had many sparkling lights from the moored ships. A very busy port. Lovely meal and good company, thanks Amal. Thanks Methsili for accompanying me on this part of our exchange.