At this school I was given a Montessori Teacher Training. The knowledge that I gained from that training can not be compared to any other educational qualification that I have received before. I’m always grateful to Madam Bernadine and to the other two teachers who trained, and guided us to better teachers.

From this training we learned to observe a child and understand the child so that we could help and guide the child in a better way.

Now I feel financially secured. From my salary I’m able to assist my children in their studies.

Thank you.

Dammi Gamhewa

After following a teacher training course in Galle I joined B2P. And we were given Montessori training. During this training we were not only taught about giving ‘presentations’ but also how to talk to a child, to understand a child, and to identify and help a child who is in need.

At the moment all the teachers at B2P are following a Tamil lesson program. This helps us to understand and respect other nationalities.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who trained us and guided us during our training program.

Thank you.

Niluka Wijesuriya

From the Montessori training that we received from B2P, we were trained to understand and work with children between the ages 2 ½  to 5 years. From this training we learned that for a child’s total development it is necessary to guide him in the correct path at the correct time.

The montessori training developed my interest about children. After the training I was enrolled as a teacher at the B2P Montessori. To me it was a dream come true. Today from my salary I’m able to help my younger brother in his studies.

Thank you.

W.A. Chandani Nirosha

I think the knowledge that I received from the Montessori Teacher Training cannot be compared to any other educational qualification that I have received before. It helped us to see a child from a different perspective. This training not only trained us in giving presentation, but also taught us about the sensitive period in a child and about the absorbent mind of the child. This helped us to understand a child and help him at the correct time.

After completing the training I was enrolled as a teacher at B2P. I enjoy working with children.

With the salary I receive from the school I’m able to cover my expenses, and to save a little for my future.

Thank you.

Y.A. Menaka Wasanthi

Thanks to the Montessori training that I received from B2P, today I’m able to look at a child in a different and from a better angle. The knowledge that I gained from this training is more than what I learned for 13 years years in my school education. For that I will always be grateful to Ms Liesl and to Ms Tharanga. And to Madam Bernadine for giving us this opportunity.

After following the Montessori teacher training I was able to join B2P Montessori School. Today I’m able to help my younger sister in her studies with the salary that I receive from B2P.

Thank you.

P.A. Sriyani

It’s just about past midnight, in four hours I will be going for a trip to rural Srilanka, visiting Mrs. Bernadine Anderson’s Bridge to Peace Montessori Lunugamuvehera.

I am clueless of what to expect, i am not even sure how many hours the journey would be, But I let myself be open to the positive possibilities of the universe. So it was with a settled mind I rush out to meet the Jeep that came to pick me at home, the pain reliever I swallowed numbing the ear ache.

The darkness slowly gave way to dawn, as we gradually left Colombo behind, speeding past the outskirts of the awaking city.  Aunty Berne is her usual cheerful self, infecting us all with her enthusiasm and passion for her work.

Liesl, Fazreen, and Tharanga, all staff of  LPF, join Aunty Barne in the chit chat as well as Amali, whose children had graduated from LPF montessori, Anjith the photogragher and me the writer.

Our elderly driver Somapala, who had driven Aunty Berne’s children for 20 years, focuses all his attention  on the road, never speaking unless he is spoken to, an uncommon trait in a Srilankan driver as they are known to butt into conversations of their passengers, or comment nonstop on sundry issues.

I doze off after venting on the garbage disposal issues in Colombo, I am particularly peeved about the refuse dumped in our neighborhood Dehiwala where I reside and my kids attend school. Fazreen and I brain storm the different possible efforts we could put in place to pressure the municipal council to take action.  The solutions we come up with seem unrealistic and farfetched to me, I soon give up, not even Fazreen’s noble words, “come on Pam, change can start from us” would spark a light of enthusiasm for social change in me.

Mothering two boys while I study and cope with all the house hold chores leave me too exhausted to be noble. It occurs to me that this maybe the reason no one else has done anything about the waste disposal problem in the city, most people are just too overworked to bother. We work, we earn, we shop, and then produce waste we are too tired or preoccupied to dispose properly, the reality of city living in developing countries.

The surreal view of the Singharajah forest takes my breath, as we stop for the “traditional” tea break on the Udawalawe Bridge. We spot water falls streaking down the hill sides in the distance, the misty horizon leave me speechless and serene, at once I feel the crisp clean air fill my lungs, only then I realize the Colombo air is congested and polluted.

We pile back into the van, refreshed and the ready for adventure, an elephant and two calves, probably from the elephant orphanage nearby linger by the water’s edge, for a while we stop and stare, in awe as always by the wild elephant’s seemingly gentle ways.

Fruit stalls built with palm fronds, stand picturesque by the road side, and another elephant this time very close to the side of the road, just behind the electrified fence put in place to stop it from wandering to the sugar cane plantations on the other side. We stop and take pictures, posing in front of the wild elephant, whose thoughts were probably “why can’t these puny creatures get me something to eat instead of staring stupidly at me?”

We move on, in a short while we reach our destination, our first stop is the derelict prefabricated quarters where the Montessori trainers (Aunty Berne Liesl, Tharanga) stay whenever they come from Colombo. As we stretch and freshen up, I am drawn to a shelter nearby made by two tamarind trees, i wander under its wide branches, looking out for creepy crawlies. Narrow logs of wood tied together form a good bench, and I sit on it sighing deeply, taking in the fresh clean air, almost immediately I feel the tension I didn’t even know I had, drain out of me.

We walk a short path to the Bridge to Peace Montessori   an impressive and well equipped building, three class rooms for 2 ½ to 5 year olds. One of the class rooms is for the children with special needs, today only three are in attendance, two with Down Syndrome sit and work, a heart wrenching sight knowing how much pain they suffer in remote poverty stricken regions as these

We walk among the children, accepting their greetings, smiling and watching them work. Soon they pile out for the Peace Routine.

Then pose for their end of the year photos, its overwhelming to observe them, considering the providence that has brought quality education to their quiet backwater, they seem so cute and well behaved, most likely a biased impression, as only their teachers know their true temperaments.

A little later, Fazreen and I join Mrs  Anderson to visit a few homes of families who have applied for the enrollment of their toddlers, but not before witnessing the sight of a mother with her three day old infant in her arms and her prematurely grey husband, who had been waiting for several hours by the school gate to speak to Mrs. Anderson personally. They request for their son’s enrollment, I cringe at the thought of having to be the one to turn them down, simply because they are not poor enough to be considered. The spaces are limited, so it is important that only the “poorest of the poor” are given the opportunity to educate their children. I am frustrated that I cannot help, I am angry at the fate that economically cripples people, I am helpless I cannot do more. For a while my own financial challenges are suppressed with a deep desire to see the curious little one hiding behind his mother’s frock educated in a safe and productive environment the B2P Montessori provides.

I am a bit relieved to climb back into the van and head for the home visits with Fazreen and Mrs. Anderson.  Mother’s with their children travel the interior regions on bicycles, unprotected from the elements and snakes, Lunugamuvehera has some of the highest snake bite reports in Srilanka. Soon the nostalgia for such natural pollution free settings is replaced with gratitude for running water and electricity.

The homes are over three kilometers from the B2P Montessori, the realization of the distance they are willing to travel is very disheartening.

“Initially, they brought their children because of the free meal and the  care package of clothes, shoes and toiletries we offer the children”, Mrs. Anderson explains. “But they have come to appreciate the positive impact of the program on the children and the lives of the community at large”

I tag along, observing the incomplete structures they live in, lost in the translation from Singhalese to English Mrs. Anderson provides as she talks to them, as she tactfully finds out the information she needs to approve their applications, and listens to their tales of woe. Once again I am filled with awe and admiration for Aunty Berne’s devotion to the poor, a rare trait among the typically indifferent Colombo elite. We return to the children leaving with their parents, all stop to ‘worship” us, a very respectful form of greeting in Srilankan culture where the younger ones bend and touch the feet of the elder, we hold then up and shake their hands, its humbling to receive such unearned respect.
Within the premises is a young woman with her young daughter in a tight embrace, Aunty Berne translates to me after talking to her that she just got news that her husband died in the war front, her beautiful tear streaked face paralyzes me,   I feel the image singe into my subconscious, this is a part of Srilanka I have never seen before. The poverty, the war, the deep deep sadness, invisible in the bright lights and shopping districts of urban Srilanka.

IIt was a novel experience at Bridge2Peace.

The first Christmas celebration ever experienced not just by the children but by the whole village. The parents requested that we visit little hamlets where the elders could enjoy this moment. ‘Santa Claus’ had never ever visited the village. ‘Viro’ the clown was definitely a first time too. Santa’s identity remains a secret !

The spirit of Christmas had never settled gently around them.	Santa with kids at Bridge2Peace     Santa & the clown with the happy kids

  
December 28th 2006 – A day to remember

Even though the school was officially closed, a visit by my daughter Nientara, stirred the village into action. The camaraderie was obvious as they greeted her, surprising us all with a full show of all the students’ parents and elders of the village.

It was a joyful occasion as my husband, twin daughters Nadiya and Natalie, Nientara’s colleagues Charlie Munford and Zuika Kriegar watched in awe as the once overgrown site they had prepared physically, now hummed with happy children. We shared a typical day and many unfolding phenomena ! I watched the active involvement of my family with great pride. It was a moment locked in my memory of true motherhood bliss !   

Family Visit, 29th December 2006	Family Visit, 29th December 2006

Aunty Bernie with a kid

December 29th 2006 – Joy and fulfillment

Charlie and Nientara carefully inspected the land they had tirelessly nurtured. They were thrilled to see the ‘fruits’ of their labour in the many papaya, bananas and other bearing fruit trees and a variety of vegetables that already, though in a small way, contribute to the meals shared by the children, daily.

December 30th 2006 – Efforts are rewarded

Zuika was on a special assignment by Newsweek covering the 2nd anniversary of the Tsunami recovery in the country. It was a rewarding moment to have him confirm that Bridge2Peace was in fact a leader and a true model in the controversial story of recovery and rehabilitation in Sri Lanka

Zuika, Newsweek representive

January 6th 2007 – Another mile-stone

The LPF Academy opened its doors to a holistic education with commitment to the Peace Curriculum that received much press and national television coverage.    
    

Ready to light the traditional oil lamp	LPF Academy opening, 6th January 2007

Unveiling the Peace pole

January 4th – 14th 2007 – Teacher training gets underway

Refresher teaching practice for teachers from Lunugamwehera commenced at La Petite Fleur Montessori with rigorous training, workshops and observation. It was indeed a refresher course of training for the La Petite Fleur teachers as well.

Teacher Training, January 2007

January 15th 2007 – First day of school

My first experience of the traditional ceremony that marked the first day of the school, was a touching experience. The enthusiasm was contagious, the anticipation felt and shared by teachers, students and parent’s alike. It was almost overwhelming to feel even minutely responsible for such profound moment. My thoughts rushed to each of you out there who shared our dream to stand firm through the many challenges that marked almost one year of operation.

January 28th 2007 – ‘Kiri Amma’

IIt would have been an ordinary day but for the fact that I was fortunate to visit ‘Kiri Amma’ – ‘Milk Mother’ who lived with her son in a very little house, quite in the middle of nowhere. In her backyard, there was the healthy heard of cows whom she milked daily. Milk we had that day with sweet black tea literally came from cow to cup ! Nientara located Kiri Amma in her quest for natural ‘cow dung’ and had described in animated detail her arsenal pots, pans, broomsticks, old and other innovative weapons that hung around her property as the only defense against the roaming wild elephants. Nientara, she sends you warm greetings ! 

February 9th 2007 – Commitment

The cliché that “there is always more than meets the eye” was established as Liesl and I drove into a very pleasant surprise by a group of mothers gathered under the tamarind tree. Walking up to them we were amazed to find out that Dhammi, a teacher assistant, having heard of our plans to support vocational training for the mothers had volunteered her spare time to teach them some basic basket weaving skills.  The group of mothers, generally shy and withdrawn, was ecstatic with the possibilities when they expressed their willingness to learn a skill that will help them bring an additional income for their families. I felt the sense of self worth and hope in them and was amazed at the initiative taken and the positive attitude of the group of mothers who were there. There were two older children with them who were in uniforms. When inquired I was told that the public transport had not made an appearance for three consecutive days and so many children thus stayed at home.   

Learning basic basket weaving skills, 9th February 2007

February 16th 2007 – Taking the Montessori method further

Another mile stone in Montessori ! 12 young women qualified and pledged to follow the Montessori training. Liesl, Tharanga, Asoka and I worked hard for long hours on Exercises of Practical Life to suit the culture, adapting cultural activities relevant to the village  and emphasizing on their past grandeur, community identity and strength building upon the Wewa (water source), Dagaba (religious symbol) and Pansala (centre for spiritual learning). There was an unparalleled moment in history as we dived deep into the thoughts, words and guidelines of Dr Maria Montessori, first by listening intently to Maureen Jayawardene as she eloquently and enthusiastically shared her personal experiences of being among the second batch of students to study under Dr Montessori herself and then sacredly reading the hand written parchment like notes written in 1943 by Maureen as she and her sister barely 19 years of age sat at the feet of Dr Montessori as she conducted the training for girls in Kodaicanal, India. Aunty Leena Wickremasinghe and Aunty Joyce Gunasekara, having just passed out in the first batch assisted in the training.

Our strength is also in having experienced staff such as Mrs Celia Fernando who also studied directly under Dr Montessori when she was invited to visit Sri Lanka in 1947. ‘Aunty Celia’ has worked and guided La Petite Fleur Montessori House of Children since its inception in 1993. We are truly blessed !   

Teacher Training, 16th February 2007

February 22nd 2007 – Visiting the school in Thanamalwila with the message of Peace

While working on community building, we were fortunate to meet Rev Fr Modestus, a catholic priest who works untiringly to provide a home and education to 32 orphaned boys between the ages of 8 – 12. He is also committed to provide a much needed early education to nearly 75 children of this village which is approximately …….. from Lunugamwehera. It was encouraging to see his interest in our work, especially the Peace Curriculum. We were delighted to see children responding spontaneously and promised more regular visits and presentations on the Peace Curriculum. We also offered 2 teacher training programmes planned for Bridge2Peace.

Tanamalwila, 22nd February 2007

February 28th 2007 – Taking forward the Model school and the Peace message

II met Mr Anwar Sadas, a senior executive officer of ‘Nolimit’, a popular clothes chain in Sri Lanka. He is a native of Delhi, India and was interested in our work carried out in Lunugamwehera. A fruitful discussion took place when he expressed his interest in taking the model built at Lunugamwehera, to a village off Delhi where there is no early education for children. He is also interested in absorbing the Peace Curriculum in such model schools and pledged his full support on such a venture in the future.

March 2nd 2007 – More volunteers

The moment was proved true when Iyanthi, a nationally renowned Speech Therapist and Speech Educator, volunteered her time and services of her professional team to reach a few children we had identified with the Bridge2Peace community.

Word of her visit had spread and when we arrived we were greeted by over 20 children aged between 1 ½ years to 18 years. There was even a 34 year old adult suffering from Downs Syndrome, who had never being treated. Most parents were unaware that Downs Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and Autism are medical conditions. Either a curse, evil eye or other myth was the cause for such sicknesses that they widely believed, mainly due to low levels of education and lack of medical and support services. Poor economic conditions in the village have also restricted their efforts to look beyond the village medicine man or other village rituals and “poojas” – spiritual offerings.

With a wish for Peace on Earth and Goodwill to Men – Bridge2Peace closed sessions for the academic year 2006.   

April which is the month of fruits and flowers in Sri Lanka attracts many migratory birds and most of them visit the quiet school yard in the evenings.

The school closed for the April vacation with Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations round the corner. On April 13 and 14, when the sun moves from the Meena Rashiya (House of Pisces) to the Mesha Rashiya (House of Aries) in astrological terms, Sinhala and Tamil communities together celebrate the dawn of the New Year, which is one of the most important and looked-forward-to cultural events, signifying the unity of two ancient communities in Sri Lanka.
For the Sinhalese, it is ‘Aluth Avurudu’ and the Tamils, it is ‘Puththandu’. The greetings on these days are "Subha Aluth Avuruddak Weva" in Sinhala and "Putthandu Nal Walthukkal" in Tamil-meaning a happy and prosperous New Year.
For the villagers young and old in Lunugamwehera, this is the time to feast with many traditional dishes on the table, new clothes, visitors and special games in which the whole village participates.
Tharanga and I were happy to be in the village during the time of New Year festivities to continue the teacher training sessions. It was very encouraging to see the eager faces of the trainees who joined in the classes despite having festive celebrations in their homes. 

migratory birds in the lake	the colourful school yard

25TH APRIL

We received a humble invitation to visit the home of Sugathadasa – the B2P Caretaker (Watcher). B2P reached out to rebuild his house which was damaged by wild elephants. His immediate and extended family were awaiting our arrival and we were treated to a most delicious traditional sweetmeat of ‘halapa’ – a mixture of ‘kurrakkan’ (whole-wheat) flour, coconut and honey, wrapped in a leaf and steamed, while listening to vivid stories of free roaming elephants in the area.

sugathadasa’s home rebuilt

26TH APRIL

Information of an ancient temple built approx. 2500 years ago was shared with us by the trainees at our training program. We visited the site of these ruins in Thissamaharamaya, 7 miles away from Lunugamwehera. We also visited the Weerawila Lake – home to many migratory birds. This man-made lake was built during the period of King Kawantissa, father of a great king who freed Sri Lanka from foreign domination, Dutugamunu, who ruled the country in 210 – 161 BC. We enjoyed the nature surrounding the lake, while watching flocks of noisy parrots and water birds that flew over us.

the ancient temple

27TH APRIL

It was a memorable day for the candidates at our training program. Some of the academic staff of LPF Academy, our sister school, visited B2P to participate in the ‘English day’. They helped the trainees with their English conversation skills. 

our sister schools visits B2P

28th APRIL 

Tharanga and I left for home after a tiring but fulfilling week at our teacher training program at Lunugamwehera. Sri Lanka was playing in the finals of the Cricket World Cup against Australia. Cricket is a much loved and revered game in Sri Lanka with some of our national cricketers reaching the highest in the game with many world records to their credit. 

As we passed through the deserted towns on our way home, we realised that everyone was getting ready to watch the match on television !!

25TH MAY

The trees in the school yard are full of fruits ! They are all organic produce with no chemical fertiliser applied at any given time. Sugathadasa is having a tough time shielding the produce from monkeys and birds. It was interesting to see the methods he engages to keep the animals and birds away. He lights fire crackers every few hours to frighten them. We were glad to see that these fruits supplement the B2P children’s daily meals. I was fortunate to taste one of the first few ‘chemical free’ papayas that were picked. It was truly delicious!

the fruitful school garden

16TH JUNE

Teacher trainees were given an opportunity to apply what they have learnt in the program, to real life situations. As they sat with the children at B2P and worked with so much dedication, care and understanding, we felt that we have truly made a remarkable change in their lives.

The school has planned a ‘perehara’ (pageant) to commemorate the day Buddhism was brought to Sri Lanka, which falls on the full moon day in June. They eagerly had a rehearsal to show me the dances that is supposed to be in the pageant.

the colourful pageant

28TH JUNE

Today was the ‘Poson’ celebrations at B2P. Children in all their finery participated in a colourful ‘perehara’ (pageant). Parents, as much as the children, were excited too. The passers-by stopped to watch the little dancers as they paraded the streets in the vicinity of the school. There were ‘lee keli’, ‘kulu dance’, ‘Wadiga Patuna’ to name a few dances and of course the Buddhist flag bearers. The decorated bicycles which went ahead of the procession were a colourful addition to the Perehara.

It was dusk when I left Lunugamwehera. As we drove through the Udawalawe wildlife sanctuary which is in close proximity to Lunugamwehera, we encountered a large herd of about 30 elephants. The shortage of water, which is a common phenomenon in this area, had driven them to the reservoir on the other side of the village, for a drink. That was a magnificent sight !!

15TH JULY

We had a training session for the trainees today. As they had a two-week break, the training session lasted longer than anticipated. Lunugamwehera is in the brink of another drought. The land is dry and dusty and the wells nearby have already dried up. It is now a common sight especially the women, walking many miles to a government-facilitated source of water.
The earth is cracked; the cattle are aimlessly wandering for even one blade of grass. The situation is pretty bad.
The thought of having access to water only on a weekly basis may be unimaginable. However, this is the hard reality of the situation in Lunugamwehera. The value of what is normally taken for granted is evident as people gather along the roadsides until the ‘water bowser’ arrives on its weekly or bi-weekly rounds. Most people in the drought-stricken areas currently live on several litres of water per day.
In the hype of the moment, most of us focus on the short term relief such as food and water in these areas, but tend to overlook the problems that arise later such as the diseases that will appear, especially among the children, when it does start to rain.