When i was a little kid i used to collect news papers and magazines. Specially the ones called "Samudura" for the scientific articles it's had in it and for the knowledge it gave me about the world and amazing things in it. I always thought these writer were fascinating people to know all these things. They were my heroes i remember i waited eagerly for seven days till then next edition comes to my hands. Some how i saved money to buy these magazines saving the pocket money i received from my parents. I would skip a brunch at school to save the money. I saved all the editions of the magazines i loved and never missed buying an edition. Few weeks back i received a phone call from a school teacher from Moratuwa Sri Lanka after seeing paper article. He wanted me to come and speak to his students on basic first aid skills.
I accepted the invitation and we scheduled the date July 04th to volunteer and train his students. He told me that his school is a small one, Being guy who don't have driving licence or a vehicle and being a person who have faith on our public transport system and it's timing i took the bus to Moratuwa Shikshananda College at Lakshapathiya. When i say bus i had to transit for 3 buses carrying a Laptop, Multimedia Projector, 100 Triangular bandages and few other training equipment. Don't think this was a hassle, if so your imagination would be too small to think about the hassle we go thought to transport our equipment for CERT-Youth training using public transport.
Back to the story, when i reached the school there were some children playing on the ground and as soon as they saw me they greeted say "Good morning Nuwan Chamara Ekanayaka Sir" I was surprised specially because how can they know my name and recognize me, But i didn't show it to them. I just asked where is Mr. Dhaminda, They took me to their beloved teacher who welcomed me with a smile. I had about 45 minutes to start the training so i started chatting with this school teacher. He asked me about my self and you know i am good at that story so i asked how about you. He told me he used to be journalist before becoming a teacher and joined teaching at this school because he believes in doing a difference in these children. I was bit curious about his journalist life and ask what are the papers he wrote in, i didn't believe my ears, he was a writer of Samudura, I wanted to know his full name so i asked, He is one of my favorite writers at Samudura, I was so thrilled i told his how i loved samudura and my relationship with that magazine. Yes, he is Dhaminda Jeevan Ranasinghe, one of the famous journalist and writer in Sri Lanka. I never thought i would meet one of my favorite writers at a small under-served school in Sri Lanka. I was so thrilled to meet him and at the end of the training i received the most precious gift i ever could received by him. Three books written by him. Yes July 04th was lucky day to me.
Other than that i was so proud because being one of my mentors and heroes, he has spoken so highly about me with his students even without meeting me personally before today, Students were so eager to meet me and even knew my full name. I believe this is one of the best gifts we can ever receive from our iconic figures or Heroes. As a person i don't know why he gave me a higher value like that but i was really thrilled to hear what he thinks about the work i do and what he had spoke with his students before my arrival. I will not forget this experience for few years, may be never ever.
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