The Dali Traveler
Just a short note to get this started.
R. (Robert) Kent DeWitt, retired fire service
Traveler to China on several occasions, about to embark to Sri Lanka as a volunteer in the recovery from the tsunamis.
Dali, in Yunnan Province, is my favorite town in China, hence the site name.
More information to follow.
posted by Kent @ 11:06 AM
17 Comments:
Well, down to a week before heading out. Michelle in San Diego is the lead person. Many of us out there searching for a way to help. If you are interested, look up the web site: www.unitedvolunteers.org Lots of good information.
My friend Doug is now preparing to go as well. He will tentatively follow me over about a week later. That will give me time to ensure that our task is organized enough so that we will have a purpose.
Ken, here in Seattle, will be continuing work on this end to ensure that future volunteers to Sri Lanka can have a great experience and not have wasted trips.
In the past I have kept journals for my family and friends to keep up with my "adventure". This may be different as I will be working and I am not sure how much computer and internet access I will have. I will do my best so that I can continue to communicate.
Hopefully I will be able to deal with the emotional issues as well.
Kent
This posting is for myself to ensure I have this information when I get there. You may also find it useful.
Kent
Information on Sri Lankan Visas:
http://www.traveldocs.com/lk/vr.htm
CDC info for people traveling to Tsunami affected
areas:
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/other/tsunami/guidance_travelers_tsunami.htm
Voluntours may be a good option:
http://www.voluntours.com/
Some general Sri Lanka travel information:
http://news24.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/Sri+Lanka/Basics
US Department of state travel information on Sri Lanka
including some saftey concerns:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1025.html
US Embasy in Sri Lanka web page:
http://usembassy.state.gov/srilanka/
[1]http://www.vcndp.com/pages/1/index.htm
[2]http://www.sapcanada.org/sri_lanka.html
[3]http://www.karunalanka.org/
[4] http://www.sarvodaya.org/
Hello everyone,
I am going to make a mass mailing of some general information on what I have been up to here in Sri Lanka. Lots of people to write to and haven’t had much time to get to an Internet Cafe
When I first got here, it was 4 in the morning so I went to a small hotel near the airport and had a 4 hour nap. Then I headed back to the airport to meet up with Michelle and Daniel. They were delayed in Customs because our contact wasn’t here yet so I waited in the lobby. Finally everything came together and we headed out. The place we thought was rented for us was really bad and in a bad part of town. Also the price was about $525 per month, way too much for what was there. We passed and asked our contact to take us to a hotel. We then ended up in a ratty place but it worked for a few days while we scoped out what we would be doing.
As it turned out, our contact didn’t really have an orphanage for us to work at so we went looking and eventually have made several contacts in both schools and orphanages as well as some foundations to help in building reconstruction. We are really in need of help in that area for the next couple of months. There will be some work in the orphanages but money would do more for them than people. They need shoes and socks and underwear for the kids in the one we visited but we can buy all that stuff here much cheaper than you can get it back there. The smiles on the faces of those kids (some who have lost one or both parents) is really heartwarming. They really like me taking their pictures and so I must have about 40 or 50 photos that I need to get printed out for them. Even the adults wanted their pictures taken so they could see themselves on the view screen.
If you are squeamish, you might want to skip this paragraph. There was one thing that was particularly disturbing on that first day while we were scouting around. As we drove by this one beach area I saw what appeared to me to be a man with a burned leg. I could see it was rather red looking and I made a mental note that we should check on him on the return drive. As we came upon the same area I asked Daniel if he wanted to help me check it out. Daniel is a former paramedic so has much more medical skill than me. Anyway we both hopped out of the vehicle and he took the small first aid kit and we headed over to the person who ended up actually being a woman. Her leg wasn’t burned. She had a severe infection of her leg and she was holding it up for the sun to help it heal though not much chance of it working. Daniel gloved up and I handed him supplies as he used his knife to remove the maggots that were living inside this open wound. He eventually found some tweezers in the kit which made it easier. I know he pulled out at least 20-25 large maggots from this wound. He then packed it with some sterile dressing and wrapped it in gauze. He also gave her some minor meds to help relieve the pain. We have since learned that they will be required to treat her at a hospital so we are now trying to locate her again to make that happen.
Later that same day, at the orphanage, I saw a lady who had Elephantitus in one of her legs. I had seen pictures before but this was up close and personal. Not much that we could do but it is treatable. It has reminded me to be careful because there are many things here that can also affect relief workers.
Part of the reason I am mentioning these things is because there are many things here that can seem gross to western eyes. If you plan to come here, please think long and hard before you make the trip. If you are squeamish, maybe your work could be to help support those of us already here with a job to do and not enough funds to do it? Sometimes the $2,000 for tickets and shots could better be spent on supplies on this end. Especially if you can only come for a couple of days. If you decide to come, we can probably find you meaningful work to help improve the lives of people here but if you can send money, that will really be useful too.
For those coming, here is how to reach us in Sri Lanka. We have now found some lodging for those joining us. We are located about 2 hours south of Colombo in the Galle area (pronounced like gaul, forget the e). Our physical address is behind 29 Rampart Street in the old Fort Galle area. Also known as the Beatrice House and operated by R. K. Kodikara the owner. We are actually just behind him but he speaks English and I have his card with me. We also eat breakfast there. We have rented a portion of a house and it is pretty nice considering everything. We are in a protected area with lots to do in the surrounding damaged areas. The cost for your lodging with us will be 1,000 Rupies per night or about $10. Breakfast is available for about 175 Rupies per day. Other food is available. We just bought a stove today so will be able to do some cooking shortly.
The best and simplest way to get here is to negotiate with a taxi driver at the airport to arrange direct transportation. The cost should be available between 30,000 and 35,000 Rupees. That is about 30-35 dollars US. There are money exchange places at the airport. Currently the exchange rate is about 95 or 96 Rupees per 1$ US. There are cheaper ways but taking the bus sometimes results in luggage disappearing at stops along the way. It is an exciting drive anyway so well worth the price. If you are really tired and wish to rest up a bit first, there is a small place to stay that is close to the airport, called the Airport Inn. A taxi should be able to take you there for 300 rupees, about 3 dollars and the room is about 20-25 US.
Our local numbers are: 0723 478 942 or 0723 480 143
We have only been here a few days and have more work lined up than we know how to handle. The devastation is so severe and heart wrenching. Mostly we need help in building replacement housing and we will be starting some of this work mid week. We are also in contact with some orphanages. Mostly the kids like having some of us pay attention to them. I am sure we can find something to everyone’s skills.
The weather here is quite hot. We don't have air conditioning but do have quite a few fans around. You won't need to bring water purification as we have that handled as well as most of the meds we need for our own use. In fact, the best thing to bring for helping out is to bring money, whatever you can raise. We can buy most anything we need, cheaper than we can get it and haul it over. Mostly you will be sleeping on the floor in the house so bring a pad or air mattress. If things change, you may get to use a bed.
We will be sending a new email with a list of current needs from the States. Those will be construction type things. You will not need to bring a mosquito net as you can get one here cheaper. Same for water purification as we have that handled. Just bring cool clothes, shower shoes, some sandals with socks to keep cool, work clothes, sun screen for yourself, as well as mosquito protection. We have this but it won’t hurt to have your favorite product. Aside from your inoculations, you shouldn’t need to bring an expensive supply of over the counter meds as we have a pretty good supply of that for use by whoever needs it. If you have special needs, then take care of them yourself but don’t waste a lot of money on things that area readily available here.
Looking forward to seeing whoever comes here.
Kent DeWitt
Galle, Sri Lanka
Original name, and prev occupation. I may have worked for you back in the late 80's. Sound familiar?
Hi Kent. I really hope you check this at some point. This is Karolina. I don't know if you remember me, i was the short dark Polish American girl who endured Ruhunu with you for a brief period of time.
Im currently in Seattle, and will be here for the next few weeks. I would like to meet up with you at some point if at all possible and catch up and talk about the happenings in sri lanka. Thank you for everything you have been doing. I guess it's good thatyou uncovered some of the lies that were floating aorund about the orphanage, please contact meyou can. My email is klanka05@yahoo.com
This is Karolina. I was the Polish American girl who endured Ruhunu with you for a short period of time.
Im currently in Seattle and have been trying to find your contacts so I could meet up and talk to you about the happenings in Sri Lanka.
If you read this please email me.
klanka05@yahoo.com
It would be great to meet up and talk.
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