Museum Update - October 2007

Since the opening of the museum, end of march this year, more than 800 people have visited the museum. The reactions are very positive.

From the vistitors about 25% is foreigner and 75% Singhalese. From the singhalese people about 20% is from the surrounding area and 80% is from other parts of Sri Lanka.

At the moment I am in Holland and working on the projects from here. Main activities are: findings donors to continue with the projects, collecting more museum items, trying to get more publicity for the projects and saving money for my next trip to Sri Lanka.

Jacky

Back Home

Just wanted to let everybody know I got home safely. Now I am back in Holland I will continue my work for the projects from here for the time being. But hopefully I will be going back to Sri Lanka soon!!!!

My leg is still on plaster, but hopefully not for much longer.

Will update my blog soon.

Jacky




Ruchi, My mum, Jacky and Kamani



Kamani, the museum care taker

Better Late than never

29th of may 2007

Sorry for the late entry, but I have been out of service for a while. It seemed that my foot was broken after all and I needed an operation. I have had the operation and was in the Rahuna hospital in Galle for a week. Now I am back in Hikka with a half plastered foot and medicin. Still not able to do much and stuck to the bed most time of the day, but luckily I have nice people around me that take care of me.

Museum wise it is also a bit quiet, cause the son and brother of the family that take care of the museum died last week. He was working in the navy and got killed by an LTT attack last week. He was 30 and his wife was 24 an has a 3 year old child. The funeral was last sunday. It was pretty sad and impressive. It looked like whole Telwatte had come. Any way he is now barried on museum ground and I wish the family all the best for the coming period.

Incidents like this make you realize that the conflict not only affects the north and the east but whole Sri Lanka. The southern district is a poor part of the country so nearly every one has a family member in de navy, airforce or army. Besides war accidents the rate of traffic accidents has been very high as well lately. And also criminals seems to kill eachother quite a lot lately. Looks like death is becoming a daily thing and I wish it was different, but what to do?

At the moment I am trying to get back my energy and with a bit of luck I will be flying home on 6/7th of june. Although I really like being here and feel very at home, I love the thought of having some fresh air, nice sandwiches, cool glass of fresh milk and seeing my family, friends and my dog again.

Any way hope to talk to you soon again,

Bye for now,
Jacky



Navy gun salute for last respect



Navy officials give the wife his belongings

Navy man Salute

His son salute



The family

Kumara de Silva age 30

Boedhist water ritual

Father and son

We made it into the SL Newspaper!!!!

See link below for the webversion of the article that was published today in the Daily Mirror newspaper in Sri Lanka. They also printed 3 color photo's!!

http://www.dailymirror.lk/2007/04/28/life.asp


http://www.dailymirror.lk/2007/04/28/life/4.asp

A very good day to be in the news paper as the ICC world cup cricket final is tonight. Australia against Sri Lanka. So a lot of people will read the paper I think :-) Off Course I hope SL will win, we are going to watch the match at Mambo's or at Rogers Garage in Hikkaduwa. I think SL can do with some upgoing spirit if they win. After the Tsunami and the war in the North they deserve it I think. But it is going to be a tough match cause Australia is also very good.

Jacky

Taking little Break and watching the museum visitors

22 april 2007

CHILDRENS DRAWINGS

From the drawing and writing competition
Subjects:

- Before Tsunami
- Tsunami
- Tsunami aftermath
- Now / Current situation


















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