With livelihoods restored and life in Talalla returned to some normality, the Talalla Support Group are in the process of using the remaining donations to build a new Community Hall next to the local Buddhist Temple. This is a great project, involving the whole community and providing a wonderful place for all locals to meet for various differing purposes.
The Montessori pre-school will use the hall five days a week. With twenty students, five years of age and down, they will make great use of the new facilities. On Sundays, the Buddhist classes take place for local children from four years old to eighteen. When rain prevents them from being able to take their classes outside, the hall will be a necessity. It will also provide a great area to organise local dance and Poya, full moon, celebrations. In addition, any money not used on the construction will go towards setting up the school with more books, chairs and tables.
The Buddhist Hall is also a place for community meetings. From fishing to farming to banking, many different groups and organisations will benefit and make good use of the hall.
Over the last six months, I have realised that there is definitely an importance in community projects, bringing the people together and encouraging them to work as one. The Buddhist Hall will be a useful and beautiful sanctuary for the people of Talalla Central and Talalla South to learn, meet, and celebrate their religion.
By Jess Brown
