Petronella made a quick check on Dutch Bay where a pool had been delivered and was awaiting use.
She then went to a meeting with CARITAS Sister Mary and had a closer look where the Nilaveli pool would go, beach side of the CARITAS convent
Monday 8 August
Meeting with Mr Lilananda, the GA (Government Agent for the Province), to get clearance for the SwimLanka project to start in Trincomalee District. This at his level he was happy to give.
Tuesday 9 August
With navy assistance the Dutch Bay pool site was dug. Police life savers, Nimal & Sunil, were even there, as always in Dutch Bay and keen to help
A meeting was held with the TRO District Director, Mr Vijiyakumar (Tamils Rehabilitation Organisation) at their office in Trincomalee.
Petronella then returned to Colombo with the trainee Trincomalee coaches so that they could then go to Galle for their continuation training
Meanwhile Tony attended the fortnightly CHA (Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies) meeting as Petronella was otherwise engaged.
Wednesday 10 August
Ravin from the Colombo office takes the Trincomalee coaches for practical continuation training at Unawatuna, near Galle and makes a quick check on the other local pools.
Thursday 11 August
Ravin, our Field Co-ordinator for the South and West, went to Tangalle and visited more pool sites.
Saturday 13 August
Petronella visited Tangalle, to see Michael Soiza, alias Professor Splash, who came over from London as a visiting instructor for August.
Whilst there she had an interview with Phil Zabriski from the Smithsonian Magazine over lunch
Sunday 14 August
Members of Johanniter, an German INGO working in Tangalle as well as in other parts, had organised a colouring competition for the SwimLanka children. Afterwards the children happily showed off their swimming skills.
Tuesday 16 August
With Kalutara about to start the new coaches from there this week attended their training at the Rainbow Swimming Academy and the psycho-social workshop run by a member the college of Sri Lankan Psychiatrists.
Saturday 20 August
With the return of the Trinco coaches from Galle District, The Dutch Bay pool was prepared for opening the next day.
Sunday 21 August
The first pool in Trincomalee opened this day
Friday 26 August
Back to Trinco to attend the local psycho-social meeting and to open the second Trinco pool in Nilavelli, north of Trincomalee town the next day.
The coaches and Petronella visited Sister Mary again and discuss about the opening the next day. Sister Mary provides after school care and classes for 150 children in the area.
Saturday 27 August
The opening of the Nilavelli pool took place in the morning.
In the afternoon, with Trinco Head Coach, Tabashan, we went looking for a suitable location for the third pool in the town of Kinniya
Monday 29 August
Off to Kinnya to speak to the relevant authorities to get clearance
Return to Nilaveli to see how the first classes were progressing
