June 5th, 2006, France - Pierre and Quentin.

Domi had come from Toulon, Philippe (from the Begat Théâtre) from Gréoux Baths, Annick, Michel, Cecil, from Burgundy, Gabrielle, one of the first to come and help after the Tsunami, Elizabeth whom we had met for a few moments on the side of the Gall Road in Hikkaduwa, when she carried us a package of medicines in " surplus baggage ", Jeanne and Vincent back, Nicolas soon setting out for one year, Delphine and Marie, always there …….and so many others from the four corners of France, hundreds, gathered for the Big Celebration to launch the second Green Hope Festival which will be held in Dodanduwa and surrounding villages, on the 3, 4, 5, and 6th of August this year …

The Kill Oh What Collective welcomed us in 168, rue de Crimée, "l'Imprimerie 168 ", in the 19th District of Paris. This Collective is fighting to keep this place, which belongs to the City of Paris. It is necessary to support these places of artistic creations, with a superb hall for performances, a space for meetings and friendliness for the area, for Paris, and for culture in general. Without places like it we would not perhaps have been able to so meet. If, too, you would like to support them, you can sign their petition in Kow@gmail.com

Sportes and his musicians performing	Axel Lecourt	Young Sri lankan dancer	The audience	Dancers

The show began with the children, the dancers of ' " The Association of Traditional Dances of Sri Lanka", in splendid costumes, singing, music, ……great emotion carried by the quality and energy of an ancientl culture. This association and all the artists present gave their performance free to support the Green Hope Festival.

They were followed by dancers of the Retouramont Company, vertical, air dance, accompanied on the accordion by Sebastian Marco. They will be with us this summer, Sebastian also …Next, Axel Lecourt, an "ethnic" musician who has already visited us in Hikkaduwa, in the pre-school at Patuwatha, in a dialogue with birds and with frogs. Axel is one of the Tribe of Lo' Jo which will come, surely, during a next edition of the Festival …

Finally, it was Benjamin Sportes (who will also be there), in concert, with his musicians, who set the place on fire, winning over the crowd, really enthusiastic…The party continued with a DJ and nthe "Greenhopiens" danced late into the night …

Without mentioning the bar, the food corner, slideshows, an incredible decoration…… a magical evening, remarkably orchestrated by Jean-Christophe and his friends ……a great trailer for the Festival this summer. And as it was good to be together, so numerous, with the same purpose and preferences, the same force of passions and altruistic wishes! A newly accomplished Utopia.

Yesterday, we were in the Ardèche, we found Jean-Lou, manager of the MJC of Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon, which has been with us since the beginning. MJC sponsors the pre-school in Tiranagama. And its support is ongoing: on April 20th of this year, the directorate voted, unanimously, to give 1 euro by each member…….on December 15th of this year, harpist Beatrice Le Provost will be in concert in the Espace Marcel Achard , at 20 h 45, to support Green Hope.

And, all during this time, the permanent office in Hikkaduwa keeps the work going. Perahera, a religious holiday supported by Green Hope, in the Buddhist Temple of Katukoliya Sur …in the photo a very Greehhopian elephant! …….Berny's dancers took part in the celebrations…..so two sets of Srilankan s children danced - one in Paris, the other one in Katukoliya - for life, beliefs and for hope.The home of the old people is going up fast; it will soon be finished … And we shall start the reconstruction of the burned home …

June 1st, 2006, France - Pierre and Quentin.

" Life is short, desire endless" Issa.

This morning, at 6 h 14, the hour chosen by the Buddhist monks, the foundations were laid for the future home of the old couple from Dodanduwa, a house paid for by the pupils of Saint-Joseph in Remouchamps, thanks to the energy of our Belgian delegation. From next month, they will be sponsored by the residents in the nursing home of Mont Joly in Trouville …

Less than a month ago, they both came to ask us for help, their poor home having collapsed, they had no more means …

Laying the foundations with the monks

From Belgium to Normandy, by linking your generosity through Green Hope, from the children of a Walloon school to the old people in the Côte Fleurie, you give them a new happy life… a nice new story.

At the same time, we are alerted by our permanent office of an emergency: " It was a small home covered with the leaves of coconut trees near Hikkaduwa, …. a poor family with four children and mother, without the father, which cannot hope for a comfortable home without our help…..They only need a small home. If you can help them it would really be very nice, please let us know as soon as possible. They do not know where to live now ….their neighbours have made them a small place, but it is not suitable for long. We await your answer. Kumara, Green Hope Coordinator. "

This picture was sent by Kumara, GH coordinator

Without waiting we answered, telling them to begin foundations as quickly as possible. We spoke about it with Enrica and Rob, of the Switzerland delegation, yesterday evening. They are organizing a Green Hope party in Geneva, on August 26th, it will be their objective….. you can help them to achieve it …

In fact we were yesterday evening with Enrica and Rob from the Swiss Green Hope, Annick and Michel from Burgundy Green Hope. We were all there at the invitation of Jean-Michel who organized a presentation in support of our work, in Margencel, near Thonon: "Ninon" a puppet show of the Jucada Theatre from Burdignin, launching the second Festival Rêve de Marionnettes, which will take place on August 13th, 14th, 15th in Margencel (info@theatredureve.fr).

Both puppeteers, Catherine and Daniel, agreed to play for free, we shall put the profits, with their agreement, into the " School Fund " ….a sincere thank you! Thank you very much also to Daniel who came with his barrel organ! "Ninon" is a delightful story of a mischievous baby bear, a bit dreamy, a lovely show with delightful puppets …..the mean gremlin will be punished…..can't say any more!...

The Show was followed by a meal organized by our new friends in the Hall. We spoke with Claire about the hard working condition of those employed in show business….. of the state of culture today ….but also a possible visit of the " Rêve de Marionnettes ", one day, to the pre-schools in Sri Lanka. With Annick and Michel (Cecil was not far away!) we counted the days which remain until their return to Hikkaduwa, the 1st of August, to see Ishan.

Robert, Enrica, Michel and Annick	Daniel	Jean-Michel, Catherine, Daniel and Daniel

We had arrived at midday at Chambéry to visit Sophie, Nicole and Michel of Green Hope Savoy. We discussed again with Nicole the Training centre, the setting up of a steering committee made up of teachers, and imagined her visit in July to start looking at it on place …
With Sophie, we took stock of the situation of the eyesight testing, and decided on more screening as part of the Green Hope programme 06/07. As for Michel, he continues looking for partners to finance all these plans …

We have good news of Dinesh to be given to our many young friends in Orange, in answer to their numerous messages in the Visitors' book…..seriously, he follows his rehabilitation, he knows how much you are close to him and it gives him courage!

" Work has interest only if it is a perpetual battle with the great unknown. " Jean Giono

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