Adventures Of A Riot Grrrl

The most traumatic thing happened yesterday. Something I had hoped I would never have to encounter. I have seen fires all over the place before and couldn't even imagine how devastating and scary an experience it could be until I was actually faced with it first hand. So it seemed only natural …

As you know dear reader I recently went on a trip to Sri Lanka with the British council active citizens programme. I wrote a few posts about my journey. As my company is one of the few Active Citizens training providers we get the pleasure of also hosting some international visitors.  I am Birmingh…

When I saw #100happydays on instagram I knew it was something I had to try out. I have been doing Daily challenge for over a year now which gives you a small positive challenge every day on a path you choose. I am currently on the de-clutter path and it gives you the kick to make a little differenc…

My first impressions of Colombo were not good. We left sandy beaches of Galle and Matara to a dirty packed city. The number of beggars increased dramatically even knocking on car windows. I could see lots of shops and everyone seemed too busy all the time compared to the laid back Sri Lanka I had s…

Just when I thought the sunset I told you about in my other post was a beautiful as they could get Sri Lanka decided to blow me away again. The group had decided we wanted to go to the beach to practise forum theatre to be able to present back to the rest of the groups when we returned from communi…

We were welcomed by another school. This time treated to a traditional dance from two guys in traditional dress. They danced us into the building of another packed waiting room. We were invited on stage to light candles in Buddhist tradition. I really like how much of an effort the people of Sri L…

We split off into our community visits yesterday and we spend hours driving down to the coast of Sri Lanka to get to Matara. It was a really long drive but on the positive side this means we got to see a lot more of Sri Lanka and learn more about a new place when some of the teams were staying loca…

The first part of our community visit today was to go into a local school and help teach about child rights and how to safeguard themselves. Having come from a children and young people background safeguarding is something I am passionate about. All children and young people deserve to live and gro…