National Training Centre Kadawatha Friendship camp
View(s):The Sri Lanka – Denmark Friendship camp was held from August 2 – 10, at the National Training Centre Kadawatha, with 15 Girl Scouts / Girl Guides from Denmark and 15 Girl Guides from Sri Lanka participating. The destinations were Kadawatha, Negombo, Kegalle, Pinnawala, Kandy, Matale, Dambulla, Minneriya, Galle and Hikkaduwa.
The main objective of this camp was the ongoing WAWCAS (Women At Work Children At School) project which is jointly implemented by the Danish Girl Scouts and the SLGGA. The WAWCAS project has been implemented in
Sri Lanka and also in Nepal where it has changed the lives of 450 Nepalese women.
In Sri Lanka the WAWCAS project empowers poverty stricken women of Matale to begin their own entrepreneurship by offering micro credit loans. Already the WAWCAS Programme has changed the lives of 63 women in the remote villages of Matale. Not only has the programme being successful in elevating these women above the poverty line but has also minimized family problems such as, drunkardness, abuse and health problems. From August 6 – 8 the campers visited many of the WAWCAS houses and learnt about the difficulties faced by the women and children in that area.
The campers also engaged in a number of Danish and Sri Lankan activities. A cultural night comprising items of Danish and Sri Lankan culture was held. The Danish Scouts introduced their food, songs and their lives back in Denmark while we introduced our culture through folk and Kandyan dancing along with a good baila session. The Sri Lankan Guides also dressed the Danes in Saree which concluded the cultural night with much laughter and joy.
A hike to the Tewatte Basilica, Jayakody Walawwe and a campfire followed. On the third day the campers headed to the Negombo beach for a cleanup programme. On the journey to Matale the campers visited the Pinnawala elephant orphanage, Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, the Temple of the Tooth, the famous Matale Kovil and a spice garden. Visits to Sigiriya Rock and the Minneriya National Park were also on the agenda.
Within the course of the camp the Danish and Sri Lankan Guides exchanged ideas about their way of Guiding, Culture and Language. Not forgetting the laughter, joy, friendship and the unforgettable memories shared.