Saturday 4 March
I am now mobile having rented a scooter, there’s no fool like an old fool! It’s pretty hairy driving in this traffic I can assure you but it does make moving around so much easier rather than being reliant upon tuk-tuks. They’re very convenient but it takes time to explain where you’re going and then to negotiate a price.......... Anyway, for someone who learnt his scooter riding prowess on the streets of London in the Sixties, I should be alright.
I also this week nearly took on a house for two months. It is a three bedroom villa in the suburbs i.e. forest, but next to the railway line and with coconuts and bananas growing in the garden. On my wheels it is about 10 minutes drive outside Unawatuna.
The cost would have equated per month to what I am paying in my guesthouse and would have provided accommodation as well for Lesley, Clare and Victor when they visit. However I decided that it was a little large for when I am on my own and a little remote for my visitors. The fact that there is no hot water was also an important consideration for the more mature of my lady guests.
I heard my name mentioned by Project Galle trustees in connection with a school rebuild the other day. That would be something really worthwhile getting into. They had been thinking of turning it away but now they have this unique resource, yours truly, they may think again.
I have yet to do anything with the framing idea, other than to kick the idea around with some involved people at Project Galle. The particular difficulty is that the situation in the displaced persons’ camps does not allow anything to happen to one individual or group. If you give to one you have to give equally to all other residents. The feedback I’m getting at the moment is that I need to be thinking about locating a deserving “livelihood project” case. This is related to people who lost everything and are now living in shacks on their land for fear that if they move, into a camp or with relatives, they will lose their land as well.
Project Galle’s office in Galle is quite something. It’s an old house within the Dutch Fort area. It’s beautiful but an estate agent would describe it as "full of character but in need of some renovation". I was there this morning and happened to venture upstairs for something. I was the first visitor up there for the day and consequently I alarmed the bats that live in the roof void, which is open to the floor. Others would probably be blasé about it but it certainly took me by surprise.
The Fort area itself is so very interesting; most of it is very dirty and distressed but some properties have been renovated and look superb.
Yesterday I made contact with the UTDS co-ordinator and heard the news regarding the Children’s Community Centre. After the original scheme fell through because of UTDS’s failure to secure its commercial registration, a limited amount of funding was secured and the derelict weaving factory on the land UTDS purchased was turned into a roofed open area with a small office and toilet attached. At least it’s something.
However, all is not lost (supposedly). The fishing boat factory that was so scandalously built on the site of the destroyed school is to be abandoned and UTDS has now had an outline plan prepared for a full-blown Community Centre complete with medical centre, auditorium etc. The design has been prepared by an internationally renowned US architect (think Twin Towers) who has also committed to assist in raising the funding. UTDS insist they will appoint me as their coordinator for the project. Knowing UTDS, as I so well do, I will not hold my breath, as it is certainly pie in the sky. Still it’s a nice thought.
Sunday 5 March
My first week is over - flashed by. It's been pretty difficult all round. Like starting a new job I suppose. Takes time to get to know people and convince them you're someone worth knowing: everyone is just so busy. It also takes so long to do everything as you don't know how to, and understanding the internal politics of course. Anyway next week should be different - I make a presentation of the playground scheme tomorrow and, if the trustees like it I will have to go ahead with getting mayoral approval, appointing a contractor and getting it built. Once I prove myself with one project I should become more a part of the organisation.
I am now mobile having rented a scooter, there’s no fool like an old fool! It’s pretty hairy driving in this traffic I can assure you but it does make moving around so much easier rather than being reliant upon tuk-tuks. They’re very convenient but it takes time to explain where you’re going and then to negotiate a price.......... Anyway, for someone who learnt his scooter riding prowess on the streets of London in the Sixties, I should be alright.
I also this week nearly took on a house for two months. It is a three bedroom villa in the suburbs i.e. forest, but next to the railway line and with coconuts and bananas growing in the garden. On my wheels it is about 10 minutes drive outside Unawatuna.
The cost would have equated per month to what I am paying in my guesthouse and would have provided accommodation as well for Lesley, Clare and Victor when they visit. However I decided that it was a little large for when I am on my own and a little remote for my visitors. The fact that there is no hot water was also an important consideration for the more mature of my lady guests.
I heard my name mentioned by Project Galle trustees in connection with a school rebuild the other day. That would be something really worthwhile getting into. They had been thinking of turning it away but now they have this unique resource, yours truly, they may think again.
I have yet to do anything with the framing idea, other than to kick the idea around with some involved people at Project Galle. The particular difficulty is that the situation in the displaced persons’ camps does not allow anything to happen to one individual or group. If you give to one you have to give equally to all other residents. The feedback I’m getting at the moment is that I need to be thinking about locating a deserving “livelihood project” case. This is related to people who lost everything and are now living in shacks on their land for fear that if they move, into a camp or with relatives, they will lose their land as well.
Project Galle’s office in Galle is quite something. It’s an old house within the Dutch Fort area. It’s beautiful but an estate agent would describe it as "full of character but in need of some renovation". I was there this morning and happened to venture upstairs for something. I was the first visitor up there for the day and consequently I alarmed the bats that live in the roof void, which is open to the floor. Others would probably be blasé about it but it certainly took me by surprise.
The Fort area itself is so very interesting; most of it is very dirty and distressed but some properties have been renovated and look superb.
Yesterday I made contact with the UTDS co-ordinator and heard the news regarding the Children’s Community Centre. After the original scheme fell through because of UTDS’s failure to secure its commercial registration, a limited amount of funding was secured and the derelict weaving factory on the land UTDS purchased was turned into a roofed open area with a small office and toilet attached. At least it’s something.
However, all is not lost (supposedly). The fishing boat factory that was so scandalously built on the site of the destroyed school is to be abandoned and UTDS has now had an outline plan prepared for a full-blown Community Centre complete with medical centre, auditorium etc. The design has been prepared by an internationally renowned US architect (think Twin Towers) who has also committed to assist in raising the funding. UTDS insist they will appoint me as their coordinator for the project. Knowing UTDS, as I so well do, I will not hold my breath, as it is certainly pie in the sky. Still it’s a nice thought.
Sunday 5 March
My first week is over - flashed by. It's been pretty difficult all round. Like starting a new job I suppose. Takes time to get to know people and convince them you're someone worth knowing: everyone is just so busy. It also takes so long to do everything as you don't know how to, and understanding the internal politics of course. Anyway next week should be different - I make a presentation of the playground scheme tomorrow and, if the trustees like it I will have to go ahead with getting mayoral approval, appointing a contractor and getting it built. Once I prove myself with one project I should become more a part of the organisation.
posted by Colin HARMAN at 8:43 PM
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