A major factor in coming to live in Sri Lanka was the educational experiences that it would particularly bring for the children; opportunities to develop in to more open-minded citizens of the world; recognising not to judge books by their covers; to understand a broader perspective and that there is often not right or wrong – just different.

Last weekend we went to stay at a friend\’s superb villa in Gintota on the Laccadive coast just north of Galle. A privileged experience with blog post to follow. The entire weekend was one of memories, but the takeaway memory above all others was something as humbling then as it will be for the remainder of our lives.  It encapsulated too something that another friend and I had been discussing just a few days previously; sincerity.

When our friend purchased this and one other villa a decade ago, he flagged down a Tuk Tuk and asked the driver to take him to one of the offices involved in the legal paperchase. The driver seemed genuine and approachable, so he was retained for the next month. What evolved from this though was a relationship of mutual trust, and the driver (by now known by his name, Marsuf) and his wife being retained to care for the other villa for the ten years that followed; set in jungle and a little inland from the coast, they tended it and lived there with their family of three children when otherwise empty, and welcomed and cared for guests when not.

When we went to visit, the pride and mutual respect between our friend and Masuf and his family was clear to see, as was the genuine warmth with which we were met before being left to be shown around. On completing the tour, we found that a series of home made snacks had been laid out for us, and as is the cultural tradition, Learning Point One for the children was that we were left alone to enjoy them.  Their Learning Point Two quickly followed; to provide for us in this way was very generous, so be gracious and eat out of respect even when you are not hungry or don\’t like the look of the food.  Items taken with hesitation turned out to be delicious, so prepare to be pleasantly surprised too – and even to enjoy seconds!

We then learned from our friend about the very basic life that Marsuf and his family live in their own tiny home – essentially, one room that at one point had no glass in the window frames or front door – and from this and their actions it quickly became apparent how they are model citizens; honest, hard working, completely sincere, with ambition for the children, and with pride in themselves and love and pride of each other.  Learning Point Three for Misa and Emilka was therefore that it is what you actually are, and whether you can truly look yourself in the eye that really matters; not the sham that is the self-promoting YouTubers they like to watch.  Learning Point Four was that happiness is what you make – not what you have.

As we left, I took the above photograph that I think encapsulates what I describe.  Masuf and his family now have a large canvas print of it along with some gifts for the children that Rennie sent.  The written thank you we received from each member of the family is beyond touching to read and has one quality that shines through; sincerity. 

Steve