OSI - Wattegama
Piradeniya
Botanical Gardens Thanks
largely to tireless efforts of our liaison Sharmila, we were able to
provide a lot of fun activities for these kids this year, making the
holidays truly festive for them and worthy of celebration! Our
holiday activities for the kids included a day out of the orphanage for an
excursion to the famous Piradeniya Botanical Gardens, a 45-minute drive
from the orphanage. Sharmila arranged the hiring of a van, as well
as lunches, treats, and plenty of water for the kids. We departed
the home at 9:30 in the morning and spent the entire day wandering the spacious
grounds of the beautiful gardens. Besides the beautiful and exotic specimens,
the kids most appreciated having plenty of open space in which to frolic!
-something the orphanage lacks on it's hillside in the jungle. Below are a few photos to
share the day with you. Enjoy! Click on the
photo for a larger image... Morning departure from the
orphanage... The
first group pose inside the entrance to the Gardens... On the
spacious grassy green... The kids just enjoying the
open expanse of the green... Kids
with Matron on the far right... Because
frolicking apparently wasn't enough... With
her generous smile... And walking
barefoot back to the van at the end of the day... OSI-Wattegama
Site Page - With more photos, maps, and
information about OSI-Wattegama... Our
excursion to Piradeniya was made possible by the generosity of Connie
Carlberg of the US who funded the excursion in full! Connie also has
funded numerous other projects for OSI children worldwide, is herself a
sponsor of our Malkanthi at Wattegama, and of Asangi at Pamunugama, and is
Program Site Sponsor for our Wattegama program, without whom we would not
have the means of taking care of these wonderful kids! Thank you
Connie for all that you do! Thanks also to
the home matron, Ms. Weerasinghe, and especially to Sharmila who went beyond
her duties, as usual, to make all of the arrangements for a fantastic and
memorable day for the kids!
If
you are interested in funding a similar project for OSI children, please contact
OSI
Other
Events - View other OSI events
18 April, 2006
Mid-April
is the major holiday season in Sri Lanka, occupied by the commencement of
the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. It is a two-week period of
festivities and family. Many of our own kids spend these holidays
with whatever relatives they have, but for the most destitute of our
children who remain at the orphanage, the holidays serve only as a gloomy
reminder of their condition.
Ready
to Go
Arrival
at the Gardens
Group
Photo
Frolicking
Another
Group Photo
A
Dance
Malkanthi
Tired
Out
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