Volunteers 2012

Emily Benefer

I’m Emily. I’m from Kings Lynn in Norfolk and am currently a first year Biomedical Science student at Queen’s Campus.

I’m so happy to be part of a project that’s making such a difference in the Sri Lankan communities and I cannot wait to spend the upcoming summer with the rest of the 2012 team, not only continuing the work of the volunteers from previous years, but also creating experiences and memories of a lifetime.

Personally, I am most looking forward to just getting involved in the community and experiencing a culture so different to our own. I also enjoy playing sports and music and am looking forward to being able to teach these to the children.

It promises to be a fantastic and rewarding experience which I’m sure all of us will take something away from.

Julia Fong

My name is Julia. I’m a first year medical student.

Doing voluntary work is the best way to serve others and bring colour to their lives while enriching my own. Project Sri Lanka will give me the opportunity to serve and to mature and develop, and be ready to embark on my career path as a doctor who cares for patients.

I am also very interested in understanding different cultures. It will be an amazing experience to have the chance to contribute towards introducing the western world as I understand it to Sri Lankans while learning from them their various fascade of life. I have heard that Sri Lankans are very passionate about their music. and cannot wait to have a chance to make music with them!

Gareth Jones

I’m Gareth and I’m a first year student studying Primary Education. Teaching is a passion of mine and has been ever since I was young, my teachers have influenced me in positive way, as a guide and companion throughout my academic and social life; I wanted to impart this kind of help and any skills I possess to those less fortunate; so the Sri Lanka Project seemed like the project for me.

Having previously worked on Gordonstoun’s Romania Orphan Project in 2007, I hope to bring a tiny amount of experience to the team, as well as this being further cemented by my studies as a student teacher, with education being one of the major reasons for our presence.

I am a musician, appearing on Britain’s Got Talent in 2009 and since helping in a wide variety of charitable causes through my music, it is said that music is language without the clumsy use of words and I hope not only will I be able to teach with it but communicate and learn as Sri Lanka is surely to be the ultimate cultural exchange.

I can’t bring much, a passion for teaching, a caring attitude and a little music, but I hope to learn, grow as an individual and above all make a difference.

Eghosa Nehikhare

Hello, I am Eghosa Nehikhare and I am second year Medical Anthropology student at Stephenson College. I have always relished the idea of volunteering in a developing country. This is because I believe that it gives one the opportunity to not only help these people but to also give them the opportunity to view life from our perspective. Given the opportunity to volunteer in Sri Lanka definitely put a smile on my face ever since day one and I look forward to putting a smile on as many faces as possible in Sri Lanka by teaching, playing, sharing and creating memories with them. I am very much delighted to be part of a wonderful team which I also believe will make a positive impact in the lives of the people in Sri Lanka.

Bharkavi Srikumar

Hi, my name is Bharkavi Srikumar and I am a second year Accounting and Finance student at Stephenson College. Coming from a Srilankan background hearing about ‘Project Sri Lanka’ I felt like this is the perfect chance being able to do it in my home country. Witnessing the Tsunami footage on Boxing Day 2004 left a lasting effect on me and I am glad that I will be in Vikumgama to help those who were affected by this devastation.

I am confident with my skills being able to speak Tamil, the second language of Sri Lanka as well as being trained in the Carnatic (Indian) Violin. I enjoy the game of cricket and hope to share my interest, as Srilankans are also passionate about cricket. I believe I can play a valuable part in this project whilst at the same time knowing I will be bringing a smile to someone’s face. I am very much looking forward to this experience I hope to learn new things about the country and also about myself.

Radhika Thakrar

Hi I’m Radhika and I’m a first year at John Snow studying Business and Management.
Project Sri Lanka stood out for me because of the longevity of the project. The time period will enable us to build strong relationships with the locals which I feel is fundamental in carrying out meaningful work there.
I applied for PSL because I saw it as a really good opportunity to explore a new culture and work with individuals of all ages.
I love working with others and PSL will give me the chance to that and hopefully make friends for life.

Laura Thurman

Hello! It’s Laura Thurman here – proud to be part of Project Sri Lanka for the third year running. I’m now in the last year of my degree in Primary Education and looking forward to continuing onto a master’s programme in Social Work after I graduate; an opportunity that was informed as a result of my involvement with the Charity. I had little idea when I accepted my place on the team nearly two and half years ago just how radically that decision would change my life. Being part of the Project has given me so many exciting opportunities from giving a lecture to sixth form students in a college in Cornwall about humanitarian aid work to learning about Buddhism in a meditation retreat on top of a mountain in Sri Lanka; teaching children of all ages in twelve different Sri Lankan schools to ‘evicting’ a family of mongooses that took up residence in one of the team’s bedrooms of our Sri Lankan accommodation!

From the moment I left Sri Lanka last September, I have been counting down the days until I go back again to the country which has come to feel like my second home. I can’t wait to go back to see old friends and to meet the many new friends I will inevitably make this summer. This year’s team are an exciting and dynamic group of people and I am looking forward to everything we will achieve together this coming summer. One thing’s for sure, my experiences with Project Sri Lanka have shaped my life over the past few years and I think will continue to do so for many years to come.

Hannah Twomey

Hi, my name is Hannah and I am a third year biology student at St John’s College. I am very grateful to be part of the Sri Lanka team 2012, and am really excited to be involved in such a worthwhile project. I am looking forward to contributing to the village community and experiencing a culture that is so different from my own.

Emily Ruff

Hi, i’m Emily Ruff and i am in my first year of Biomedical Sciences at John Snow College. Although I chose to study a science at university, I have many other interests including sport, art, music, and people. These are some reasons why I chose to apply for Project Sri Lanka. I have a passion for working with people of different ages and from different cultures/backgrounds. In the past I have enjoyed many opportunities such as the Duke of Edinburgh awards and volunteering from which i gained many skills such as team work, patience and determination. I believe that the range of skills I have gained will enable me to bring the most to not only the project, but the 2012 team and I am very much looking forward to spending my summer volunteering in the wonderful culture and landscape of Sri Lanka.

Jianan Yuan

Hi, my name is Jianan Yuan and I am first year Medical Student at Durham University. When I went to the presentation about Project Sri Lanka I immediately thought it was an opportunity of a life time and I feel very lucky to be on the 2012 team.

The tsunami in 2004 has affected many lives in the most horrific ways, till this day there are still ruins visible from the tsunami. It saddens me to see the impact the tsunami had on the communities. Knowing that the simplest things can make a tremendous difference makes me want to take part in this project and help in any way I can.

I think education plays an important part in everyone’s life and this is why I am really excited to be able to teach children English, to be involved in their education and other recreational activities. Hopefully, I will make a positive difference in their life.

I have always wanted to explore different culture, food, religion, dress and how people in communities live in different parts of the world. This is a perfect opportunity for me to combine both travelling and help those most in need.