The everyday fuel came from the people; they kept me within tracks. The greatest difference among previous experiences regards the involvement of the community. Usually one-on-one interviews are guaranteed ways to obtain answers. However, in Badulla and surrounding regions, most of the community wanted to participate. One person would often act as a mediator and talk on behalf of the population, which would then gather around the person as though his/her words represented their communal thoughts.

Sleepless nights: another motive that contributed to such gloomy sensation. From the very first day, the organization provided housing; simple, yet comfortable. One full size bed, toilet and cold showers were in fact superior to previous experiences. Yet, previous experiences did not come with the neighbor’s dog. It wasn’t just a dog; it was the single most obnoxious dog I have ever encountered. Night after night, from early evening until sunrays broke through the clouds, it would not discontinue barking. And by continuity, I mean non-stop ear penetrating, louder than earphones, bed turning barking. I never wished bad for any living thing, but I surely envisioned lightning strikes, vocal cords rupture, and even sketched out sleeping-pills-filled-food plans.