Our chosen local project is Kalyani Maha Vidhyakaya School in Kithulgala - a school with students from age 4 through to 18, and a student population of over 800 students. Our students were warmly welcomed by the teachers and pupils, and despite cultural and language barriers the interaction between both schools was wonderful to witness.
ACS were given the task of coming up with some designs to paint a mural on the main school wall, and some really inspirational pictures were created. Both the local and overseas kids really embraced the project, and worked really hard throughout the day, coming up with something that will stay with both sets of students for a lifetime.
Our hope is that for all International Schools who come and stay with us at Borderlands we will continue the relationship we have formed with Kalyani Maha Vidhyalaya and include a Community Service element for all future school visits. Not only does the physical work benefit the local school on a practical level, but the interaction between both sets of students works as a crucial conduit in helping to expanding the minds and world views on both sides.
We would like to thank the students and teachers of Kalyani Maha Vidhyalaya School for their hospitality and kindness and to Mr Parakum and the choir for their musical performance that they gave us, as well as the lovely poem that he personally wrote to express his gratitude towards ACS students and teachers for their work yesterday:
"There are things that make us happy
And those that make us really merry
And among things that made me lucky
Your visit has planted a seed very pretty
It was not so short anyway
Actually not to long on a way
But within the time you came that day
My Heart was made out of another clay.
Friends may go but memories are more
Though you go you are still at my door
With love and care you supplied for
Will live in this school with fruit they bore."
