By David Siddall

Last updated 15:57, Wednesday, 23 April 2008

AFTER teacher Rachel King and her husband Russell survived the Tsunami wave that hit Sri Lanka in 2004 they felt a strong empathy with the people of the island that suffered the devastating disaster.

Small world: Children talk to Athula Weragoda (JJ to his friends) about how much they have learbed about his home country.

And ever since Rachel’s school, Orgill in Egremont, has built stronger and stronger links with the Sri Lankans.

Orgill not only raised disaster relief help but in 2005 through a charity Adopt Sri Lanka they have become twinned with the school at Thotogamua Vijayauahu (correct) near the Galle area of the tropical island off India’s southern tip.

Orgill has also welcomed Egremont cafe owner ‘JJ’ who comes from Sri Lanka and has talked in school about life in Sri Lanka.

Rachel said: “The children all call him JJ because his real Sri Lankan name is awfully long! JJ has been really good at painting a picture of life there his talks have been fantastic.”

All this week the Orgill children have been working on projects including Sri Lankan cookery and even had a none uniform day when they all dressed in the Sri Lankan national colours. The friendship links with the school have grown well beyond the immediate disaster relief efforts.