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The Director's Sri Lanka Journal
Read the March 2005 mini-tour Diary!







The Clown's Diary

Tuesday 22 March

It was my first proper day in town, so I headed straight for the UNICEF office. I think it's polite to let other N.G.O.s know I'm in town. It cuts down the chances of my treading on toes, gives them a chance to see what I do, and allows me to pick their brains about local situations, security etc. (I'd already noticed that the military here look more alert than in Trincomalee).

At the Unicef office I was directed to a place opposite the hospital called The Mangrove Centre. This is the co-ordination office for all N.G.O.s involved in what he described as "Psychosocial Issues".

Although CWI does not "do therapy", the charity really does believe that fun and laughter are therapeutic for both children and parents alike after trauma, so I headed off to find the centre.

Finding the hospital was easy, but finding the Centre wasn't. 3 times helpful people took me to the Child Protection Office in the hospital. Eventually the doctor there called a policeman to take me to the Centre. It would have helped if the policeman had known where the Centre was, but his intent was good and eventually we did find it. The Centre is two rooms in a derelict building that still has most, but not all, of its roof.

An American man who is running the place listened to me explain what CWI does. Then told me that there was a meeting of all the N.G.O.'s tomorrow morning. He then asked me not to do any work until I've been to the meeting. This meant 2 days in a row when I haven't been able to work. Something that I have found very frustrating - but I didn't know the situation here, so I took his advice and spent the day preparing my speech for tomorrow, and deciding which of my 700-plus photos of shows and games to show them.