ABDF

Naturally, Program Director Bennett Hinkley’s time is not spent 100%, 24-7, on ABDF.org projects. The nature of project work is that there will be very busy times punctuated by periods of little activity. It’s sort of like the monsoons in Sri Lanka; when it rains it pours, otherwise it’s a drought.

Bennett and his students: Janetdarsheeni, Sivashanthan, Pushpakaran, and Vathsala.

Not one to let time go to waste, Bennett has arranged to teach an informal English conversation course for an hour and a half, three days a week, at a local community organization called Synergy. Synergy, which provides psycho-social support to the communities just south of Batticaloa, has an office staff of four. These four staff are Bennett’s victims – er – STUDENTS.

Yes, we are models. Sivashanthan, Bennett, and Pushpakaran on Kallady beach.

The small size of the class means a great deal of personalized attention, as well as a comfort level which allows the students to make mistakes with embarrassment. It has also allowed Bennett and the staff to get to know each other very well, which makes the class both enjoyable and effective.

In class, at the dryboard.

These classes continue on during 2009.