Copies of the 2012 Extra Cover Calendar are still on sale, with all the post-printing profits goingdirectly to the schools in Sri Lanka.
Each month features one large photograph – taken by Brighton College pupils who spent two weeks at the schools in July – and an insert of a picture painted by a Sri Lankan pupil during the same trip.
Prices are: 1 copy = £5
3 or more copies = £4 each
Trustee’s visit 2011
Two parties of three arrived at Bandaranaike Airport over one weekend in October 2011. The first trio, taking advantage of Brighton College’s Michaelmas half term comprised Fr Robert, his older brother William and Matthew’s son Ben. They stayed in South Colombo for one night before travelling down by bus to Unawatuna. The next day, Newton met a second trio at the airport – namely Matthew, Extra Cover director Sally Andrews and her husband Trevor. For William, Sally and Trevor, this was the first time they had been to Sri Lanka … and as ever, Sri Lanka and the work of Extra Cover did not fail to impress.
Over the following week, the group, usually travelling together in a minibus, visited the seven Extra Cover schools (see separate entry on our new, eighth school “Yathalamatha”) and the tea plantations surrounding Pathawelivitiya.
Much of the trip was spent discussing projects with the school principals – projects that in many cases are dependent on the Government’s proposed “educational re-zoning” next year. The general idea seems to be that rural and/ or poor schools (like all those served by Extra Cover) will focus on the junior years (e.g. Years 1-5 or 1-7). Older children would be taught elsewhere. This re-apportioning of pupils and personnel may have significant impact on the food programmes we currently offer, and we eagerly await news of how these policies will affect “our” schools.
The weather during the seven day trip was wetter than most; heavy storms were a daily occurrence at about 3pm. But this did not deter our efforts or affect our work. Plans that were made, subject to costings, included:
the repair and extension of the fence at Bemboda. This will prevent wild animals from using the classrooms overnight.
the building of a theatre at Gonadeinya. An ampitheatre, carved out of the ground, is already in place, but a proper stage and roof is required for the pupils to perform.
The laying of two concrete paths against the hillside of Nawala School. With the development of the Montessori School, safe access is critical. Some playground equipment has also been approved.
The continuation of our support for “Extra Cover Tea”. The group spent a superb day trekking from tea plantation to tea plantation along the River Ging, inspecting the growth of the young plants. All seem healthy, and there is much excitement in a project that gives responsibility and control to the villagers.
Until the re-zoning programmes have been finalized, projects at our other schools are understandably on hold. Kottegoda School seems to be thriving, and the children seem to be a happy crew. The Polwatta principal wants us to consider funding a cultural trip for her pupils (who were as cheerful as ever) and Nawala School (still sadly using only half its property, although there are moves to re-build) eager awaits news of possible changes to its composition in the New Year.
It was a tremendous trip; exhausting and paradisal in equal measure. William, an artist from Stockholm, found the Singhalese culture (and not least the food) out of this world, Ben found himself teaching cricket to one of the best cricket schools in the country, Sally and Trevor found their feet and the confidence to consider going out on their own. And Matthew and Robert (old hands but still finding much to wonder at gawp at) found much to consider, not least how charity is never a fixed entity. New projects,new schools and new ideas – all looks set for an exciting 2012.
Until a few months ago Yatalamatha Junior School had a problem with pupils not having immediate access to fresh water, as a pipeline from the senior school a quarter of a mile up the road was proving unreliable. It was a privilege for Extra Cover to arrange for the necessary engineering work and see fresh flowing water, literally on tap, for the 150 pupils.
The school has kindly agreed to play host to Brighton College pupils in July. The principal, Mrs Pushpumala, has approved a two-day English “camp” at which College students will use drama, music and more traditional classroom methods to encourage Yatalamatha girls and boys to deepen their knowledge of, and love for, the language.
In February 2012, Matthew and Robert suggested that they might walk from Nawala to Bemboda schools to see such an event involving dozens of children could be integrated into the Brighton College trip in July. There was considerable sucking of teeth and shaking of heads in bemusement, but eventually some five Nawala staff (including the principal) and one rather non-plussed pupil set off towards Bemboda.
What some had feared would be a gruelling trek turned out to be a pleasant two-hour stroll through gently undulating backroads. A tea factory, we noted, would make an excellent half-way stop for the footsore, and the chance for pupils to have an outdoor geography and natural history lesson was obvious every time we saw a beautifully-plumaged bird or impressive-looking tree we could not name. The walk was huge fun, leech-free and good for the heart and soul.
Nothing formal has been agreed as of yet, but our visit to Sri Lanka this February included a visit to what could be a further “Extra Cover” school. The principal of the school, Mr Weerasinghe, joined us in celebrations at Gonadeniya School and invited us to come and see his small school, some thirty minutes away. As the separate entry on the “school pages” outline, Malamura is a small, progressive institution with strong parental support and a clear vision for future expansion. One challenge they are facing is an inadequate water supply, and they have asked us if we could help …
Such is the popularity of the Brighton College annual visit to Sri Lanka, that this year there will be not one, but two trips, both comprising eighteen Lower Sixth pupils and four staff. Basing themselves in Unawatuna for the first week and Mirissa for the second, the English pupils will help at the “Extra Cover” schools in a variety of way. Under the principals’ direction, and collaborating with the Singhalese staff, the students and teachers from Brighton will participate in “English camps”, lead lessons in English, drama, dance and geography, and coach some netball and cricket. There will also probably be some manual work involved, be it weeding the tea plantations near Pathawelivitiya or painting murals in Kottegoda. Please see separate pages for reports on the trips of 2010 and 2011.
Extra Cover has started making loans available for parents at Pathawelivitiya school. The parents are very poor and have very little or no income, so 7 families have taken up the offer to start a small business of growing tea.
There is huge demand for tea in the area so prices are very strong and it only takes out ¼ acre to make a potential profit out of tea (most rural families do have access to small pockets of land). All the parents have thought about growing Tea before, many parents have experience of working on tea plantations, but none have had the capital available to cover the initial setup costs.
Extra cover will provide each family with 1000 tea saplings, then regular deliveries of fertiliser and have experienced advisors to help the families with any help. When the first harvest of tea is sold, the loan will be paid back at a rate of 10% of the price received. Any loan money received will be invested back either into the school, the local community or on more Tea loans!
Family in line for a tea loan
Newton surveying Tea growing site
Yatalamatha
A few miles down the road from Gonadeniya School stands the rather unprepossessing Yatalamatha Junior School. Matthew and Fr Robert have passed it on many an occasion, but had never fully investigated it, and ascertained whether Extra Cover could help … until October 2011.
On arrival, it was immediately clear that the school had a serious problem with its water supply … there was none. A pipe and valve contraption (worthy of a Heath Robinson cartoon) ran half a mile down from the Senior School, but was more often than not inoperative, and the pupils were forced to bring their own water from home in small bottles, to last them the entire day – in 30 degree heat.
While William, Sally and Trevor played with the children (the pupils were introduced to the Hokey-Cokey for the first time in their lives) Matthew and Fr Robert discussed “water-works”. It was agreed that Extra Cover would consider funding the construction of a well and requisite pipes and pumps, to ensure a constant, guaranteed supply of fresh water to one and all.
Yatalamatha – a school with clear needs, but one that is overseen by staff who care hugely for their charges – is now very much under the Extra Cover umbrella.
Over 3 days, 4 local unfit businessmen undertook walking the 101 miles of the South Downs way. This blister inducing feet normally takes 9 days, so why do it in 3? The reason was to raise funds and awareness for Extra Cover.
The 4 fools were; Sean Maginnis (owner of The Lock Centre in Bognor Regis) Dave Parsons (business manager at Nat West Bank in Chichester) Carl Lamerton (Fireplough graphic design) and Matthew Hansford (Hansfords Menswear, Chichester) who also runs the charity.
Day 1
We set off from Winchester at 6am on the Saturday on what turned out to be a perfect day for walking, cool and breezy but no rain. The deluge of the day before would have certainly put paid to the venture. Our first stop was in Exton for breakfast, a beautiful place, especially walking down into the village and then on top of Old Winchester hill. 4 hours later, having walked over Butser Hill, our next stop was at Buriton. It was here after 24 miles of walking that we all started feeling discomfort, all of us had some small blisters, but already Sean had some real beauties! Luckily Jill Misselbrook (my lovely wife, and a local Physio from Felpham) was on hand to tend to our woes! The last 10 miles were a real struggle, feet and legs aching, getting tired, but with the help of a few friends we made it to Cocking by 7pm (13 hours walking 35 miles with only about 40 minutes rest), plenty of time for some refreshments at the Anglesey arms on the way home.
Day 2
The next day we had to be up at 4am to dress our feet (poor Jill!!), have breakfast and get driven out to Devils Dyke by 6am (we decided to do the walk in stages, leaving the middle section till last so people could join us at the end). It was freezing and blowing a gale, not a great start! But the scenery soon cheered us up and when the sun arrived the stunning views kept us thinking how lucky we were to be out walking. 9.30am and Jill was waiting with Breakfast and plasters near Lewis and then it was off to Alfriston, we were all now understanding what a challenge this walk was, Carl and Sean’s feet were in a bad way, both were in real pain. The unevenness of the paths (especially the flints and chalk) were taking their toll on all our legs and causing friction on parts of our feet that were becoming raw and very sensitive. But we all managed the long trek to lunch, which we all desperately needed. We had taken some advice about nutrition and were drinking and eating all the right things, but we also managed to eat vast amounts of delicious cake (thanks Sally) so although we were all tired we seemed to have plenty of energy. We set off from Alfiston at about 3.30 knowing we had the challenge of 7 sisters to come. And did they come!! After arriving at the stunning Cuckmere river mouth we ascended up onto the cliffs, what an awe inspiring site, the sun was perfect and you could see for ever….. and that was the problem, the end just didn’t seem in site! My calculations had gone badly wrong, I had thought we had about 4 miles to go, it was closer to 7, and they were 7 of the longest miles we have ever walked. Carl and Dave were happy at a faster pace so marched on in front, Sean and I took a more conservative (very slow)pace and spent time enjoying the view…. well that’s a lie, Sean’s feet were in a real mess, his years of smoking also telling (he gave up a few years ago, but it seemed too late) and my feet felt very odd too so we had no choice but to crawl along. The rolling hills of the sisters were a real challenge, not only the steep up slopes, but it seemed the downslopes hurt even more, thighs were burning, calves cramping. Just as it was getting dark at 8pm, we staggered down the steepest hill of all to the official end point of the South Downs way on Eastbourne promenade. After 14 hours we couldn’t even manage a beer. Blisters were now a real problem as plasters/tape/compede etc. had fused together with our skin, and yes…when you took them off, off came the skin. The thought of walking another day with no skin on either heal was not that appealing!! 37 miles today in 14 hours.
Day 3
Up again very early, trying to find some way of strapping up bare flesh and out to Cocking for a 6.30 start. The first 7 miles to Bignor hill was horrible, a couple of nasty hills, really bad paths and the thought that every step was like having a pin driven into your foot! We arrived for breakfast in pretty poor humour, but after a few minutes of Jill and Sally feeding us and the realisation that we could feel the finish line we set off over Bignor hill towards Amberly and our next stop, Washington. It is worth mentioning at this point how vital it was and had been to have friends join us for sections of the walk; Simon, Trevor, Ben, Sally and Father Robert all put in at least a 4 hour stint, with Trevor managing over 1/2 of the walk. They really did add something to the whole event, especially when things got tough, they made us laugh, gave encouragement and stopped the 4 of us from throttling each other as we bored each other by repeating ourselves time and time again! We arrived at Washington and had quite a party at the side of the A24, filled ourselves with cake, and moved on quickly before we seized up. I took my shoes off and noticed a toe nail hanging off, happy days!! The next few hours were all a bit of a blur, a brief stop at Upper beeding and then on to the home straight. At this point the nutrition plan went out the window and serious measures were needed, Sloe Gin works well as a pain killer, port and brandy weren’t bad either! At 6.30pm we came over the hill to Devils Dyke and were met by friends and family at the end of what had been a real epic journey, only 12 hours walking today, 29 miles covered.
We then retired to the Shepherd and Dog at Fulking for a few well deserved beers.
Total walking time 39 hours, 101 miles, seven 25 minute breaks, so on average about 12 hours actually walking a day.
We looked happier at the start!!!
What will our memories be?
There are many thankyou’s I would like to make:
Cheers, until next time!!
Matthew
The Nawala Pre-school opened for its first day in February 2011. This project has been carefully overseen by Newton, the principal of the school and a government Technical Officer to ensure that only the best building standards have been met. Although most of the work has been carried out by skilled labourers, much of the preparation work and help has been given by parents of the children, it has been a real community effort.
Matthew visited and met the 15 new children who are to attend the school, the school looked fantastic, mainly thanks to the enthusiasm of the 2 new teachers (both paid for by extra Cover) who have encouraged the children to decorate the walls with their paintings and drawings. On the day Matthew visited they also had a bring and buy sale with the proceeds going towards stationary for the children.
Next Extra Cover is looking to fund a new toilet, playground equipment, new furniture and grills for the windows, hopefully this will all be in place by the end of the year
