Elfies's Story
I am Elfie Krainer; Austrian, retired school teacher, travel bug, children lover with
a strong humanitarian streak. I have always had visionary ideas to “make the world a better place” by dedicating myself to the service of being there for children and teenagers in educational institutions.
It was in 2017 when I had my first encounter with Sahan and those little groups of children. He introduced me in an evening class, went out of the room to grap a cup of tea and there I was standing, with girls and boys starring at me with their sparkling, bright shining eyes – shy and in total stillness. They had conquered my heart at first sight.
I will never forget how my heart filled with joy and emotional touch when those little beings started to lose their shyness about using a foreign language, and how enthusiastically they joined in any language game I presented to them.
When guiding the students in their classroom activities I feel like I am representing all of humanity – being the “Anyone” in “Doesn`t anyone care about us?” Volunteering in classrooms with socially disadvantaged and marginalized boys and girls shows to me that small acts of kindness, sharing my knowledge and “seeing” every single one of them who they are, makes a huge impact to their lives and to their families!!!
I feel so blessed that fate brought me to Sahan, Akurressa, Akuratatha and its steadily growing family. Namaste!
Over the years I have been involved in various activities, participated in projects, helped ideas come “true”, carried out donation work (with the great help of my eldest daughter and her partner). Here`s some of them:
- 1/2 day trips in Sahan`s car to temples, beach (the beginning of the schooltrips)
- 1 day schooltrips to cultural sites, temples, museums
- “Temple project” with the evening classes
- start-up project for the mentoring programe
- cellphone/tablet/laptop donation campaign
- fundraising for the “housebuilding” project
- Birthday party for ME!!! – an experience of “Once in your life, you should…” -:) -:) -:)
Planting a Thaembili “tree of life”
“A Once in your Life you Should”……experience. (Elfie Teacher)
Back in February 2023, I and my daughter`s family were invited to a housewarming party at Udeesha`s family home.
Why would 4 Austrians (myself, my daughter and her partner and my grand daughter) fly to the other end of the globe for this?
To cut a long story short: We had completed our “housebuilding project” for a member of the Akuratatha family and this visit was the final action. At the end of the home`s driveway, we were welcomed with such warmth and gratitude by Udeesha, his mum and grandma. Everyone of us was deeply moved. We were shown around the house and stunned by how clean and lovely furnished it was. After a splendid and ever so deliscious Sri Lankan traditional lunch, we all went outside in the garden to follow a cherished Sri Lankan traditon and ritual, the planting of a king coconut tree.
To plant a Thaembili “tree of life”, is said to bring good fortune, wealth, prosperity to the family. Everyone of us 7 peoplecontributed something to set the palm tree in its place.
Leaving the Sri Lankan home raised gratitude within us. we were convinced of not only haveing made an impact in thisSri Lankan`s family life conditions, but also gave witness that being in service (“helping hands” = Akuratatha) for our fellow human beings is worth to live for.