Meredith "Tide of Hope" committee members Betty Webb, John Rose and Rebekah Meek, '05, will return to Sri Lanka this month to assess the progress made in the areas affected by the December tsunami. Alumna Melissa Bishop,'99, will accompany the group.

The Meredith team will depart on September 27 and will revisit the three projects that the College has adopted in Sri Lanka. (For more information, visit www.meredith.edu/tsunamirelief.) They will also deliver Meredith science supplies and textbooks to the Pelena School, one of the tsunami relief projects.

For Webb, Meredith's director of international studies, a major part of the visit will be finalizing plans for a December 26 trip that will be open to Meredith students, faculty and staff. This 14-day trip will enable participants to learn about Sri Lanka. The first half of the trip will be spent exploring artifacts of ancient Sri Lankan civilizations as well as observing life as it is lived today in the inland regions of the country. By the time participants return, they will have seen five of Sri Lanka's seven World Heritage sites. The second half will focus on the tsunami-affected regions and efforts currently underway to "Build it Back Better," including those sponsored by Meredith.

This experience will cost $2,600, which will include airfare, accommodations, breakfasts and dinners, guides, ground transportation, entrance fees, and special events for the tsunami victims whom the group will be visiting.

For more information about the itinerary, course credit and aid options, email Tracy Knight, study abroad program assistant, at KnightT@meredith.edu. Space is limited. October 15 is the deadline but applications will be processed as they come and the program will be closed when the optimum number of participants have been accepted.