Parathan

September was both busy and interesting. Life at Kilinochchi continues to keep me on my toes!

Settling into Kilinochchi Life

Since moving to Kilinochchi, I’ve had to adjust to a new environment. It’s definitely a different vibe compared to Jaffna—hotter for one, but I’m managing, especially by staying indoors during the afternoons.

The Challenges and Quirks of Daily Life

• Housing Woes: I rent a place here, and it’s been a bit of an adventure! The owner gets 20k a month, but we’ve had some back-and-forth about maintenance. The water leaks? Existing since day one. The water meter? Misread. Thanks to the workers who helped themselves to my tap! After a heated discussion, I threatened to move out. Magically, things got fixed. Though there’s still no light by the main gate… I’ll keep nudging him on that.
• Uki DIY Moment: The water tank at Uki was a whole different headache. It hadn’t been cleaned in over three years and smelled awful after we found a dead lizard in it. The tank’s location made it tricky to clean, so what is the solution? We cut and reconnected pipes. After searching for a plumber and finding none, my amazing Uki students stepped up, and together we tackled it! It was a great team effort.
• The Never-Ending Fridge Saga: I’ve also been dealing with a fridge issue. The repair guy claims it’s a power board issue but hasn’t done much about it—he’s had the board for a month now!

Learning to Enjoy Solitude

Living alone has brought its own set of reflections. The house is big, and sometimes it gets lonely. My parents visit occasionally, but I can’t always ask them to make the long journey. Some nights, I find myself questioning everything, but then in the morning, my passion for teaching and my students’ faces lift my spirits. Plus, I now have my trusty lancer bike from Jaffna to help me zip around Kilinochchi when I need a break!

The Bike Journey: Jaffna to Kilinochchi

Speaking of my bike—there’s a funny story. On September 22nd, I called the Jaffna Railway Station about transporting my bike by train. They said to come early the next day, so my parents and I showed up at 5:40 a.m. But then we hit a wall of bureaucracy: “You should’ve paid in advance, removed the mirrors, emptied the petrol, and brought a rope to secure it.” None of this had been mentioned when I called! After some frustration and my father giving the station staff a piece of his mind, we decided not to wait. I hopped on the bike and rode it to Kilinochchi—an adventurous trip of 50 km that took me back to the good ol’ days when my mom used to ride it to take me to classes!

A Movie Night and a Birthday

I also had the chance to watch Vaazhai with my mom at Raja Theatre in Jaffna. The movie touched on the struggles of village life, where people carry loads of bananas and earn Rs. 1 for each load—not per banana but per huge bunch. It was a humbling reminder of how fortunate I am.

And speaking of special days—my birthday was on September 4th. Since it was a weekday, I celebrated with my family in Kilinochchi. My brother and his family were passing through from Jaffna to Vavuniya and joined us for dinner at Pizza Hut. Afterward, at 10 p.m., we struggled to find an auto-rickshaw but finally found a kind driver who took us home. The Uki team even surprised me with a birthday cake—thank you, team!

Back to the Books (Sort of)

I also attended lectures for my MSc at Peradeniya University on September 7th and 8th, but I confess, I’ve yet to start studying in earnest. I really need to get my act together and start planning my research project.

Career Guidance and Business Ideation

On behalf of Yarl IT Hub and Uki, we conducted a Career Guidance session for students at Paranthamanaaru Maha Vidyalayam, a remote school near Visuvamadu. I was blown away by the students’ efforts—out of 18 students who took the ICT exam, eight got A’s! It was truly rewarding to help guide them. We also held a business ideation session to inspire students to think entrepreneurially and brainstorm ideas for their final projects.

Intro to Web Development Sessions

In line with our vision to offer accessible education, we’ve been conducting paid web development courses at Uki for engineering students. I’ve wrapped up five sessions on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript so far, and although the class size is small, I’m hopeful it will grow in time.

Reuniting with an Old Friend

This month, I also caught up with Chris, a friend and brother from my Uki days back in 2017. We had a nostalgic evening at his home in Kilinochchi, reliving memories, and enjoying dinner. A big thank you to Jathu akka for the delicious meal!

My Furry Companion

Last but not least, I have a new companion at my Kilinochchi home—a dog who’s somehow always around. I’m not sure how she finds food, but whenever I’m there, I try to feed her. She’s grown quite attached, and I have to admit, it’s nice to have her company. When I return on Mondays, she’s always excited to see me, wagging her tail and ready for her meal.

Looking Ahead

September was a month full of learning, challenges, and small victories. I even voted in the presidential election, hoping for positive change in Sri Lankan politics. As I wrap up this month, I’m excited for what October will bring. Until next time, stay well!