Our unforgettable trip to Sri Lanka.
Last summer, Sven Westendorp and I (Tess Niessen) enjoyed a fantastic five-week tour of Sri Lanka. A journey full of impressions, encounters, and special moments. But what made this trip truly unique was our five-day hockey clinics in collaboration with Sri Lankan Hope for Children.
Along with a group of wonderful volunteers, we spent five days introducing children to our passion: hockey. Months in advance, we were busy collecting sticks, clothing, protective gear, and shoes at our club, V.M.H.C. Cartouche. Everything to ensure the children there could experience how special it is to play hockey.
And special it was. For most of the children, it was something completely new, but for us, it was a chance to share our love for the sport. Their enthusiasm, eagerness to learn, and big smiles made every clinic unforgettable. The sense of gratitude and the tremendous hospitality we experienced were heartwarming – something we can learn a lot from in the Netherlands!
The best gift? The children’s beaming faces and their genuine joy on the pitch. And perhaps the most touching: the question that kept coming back – “When are you coming back, Miss?”
An experience that will stay with us forever and one we will never forget.
Tess and Sven