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Heartening to receive aid, says handicapped Nirosha

by Talia Jayasekera

The kindness of strangers truly is a blessing straight from heaven as did 18 year old Nirosha Iranganie realise when a group of 38 employees in Dubai donated Dirhams 640, an equivalent of RS 16,579, on reading an article published in the 'Daily News' last year about the plight of this young girl.

Nirosha Iranganie was left crippled when she fell into a well her parents were digging. She was helping her parents dig the well by removing the sand from the pit. In the process, she slipped and fell headlong into the well. She has no mobility from the waist down and can only move her upper body. Doctors diagnosed Nirosha as having sensory loss of the T12 vertebral column.

It is incurable and its injustice has made Nirosha suffer greatly. At the time of the accident, she was in the 10th standard at school and was proving herself academically. Her studies ended abruptly with the accident and now she relies heavily on her parents for everything.

Financially burdened by medical expenses, Nirosha's parents appealed to the public, through the article in the 'Daily News' (30/6/02), for assistance. It was this plea that Althaf Ismail, working at the Dubai Creek and Yachting Club, answered. Mr Ismail was contacted by a friend Duncan De Zilwa, living in Sri Lanka, about the appeal. Mr De Zilwa had written to Nirosha regarding her situation and as to what form of help was required. He then told his friend, Mr Ismail, the details and necessities.

Mr Ismail was instrumental in gathering Sri Lankans and non-Sri Lankans, working at the club, to donate towards this worthy cause. A total of 38 Sri Lankans and Indians contributed money for the medical and living expenses of this unfortunate girl.

It truly is heartening to see strangers, of all nationalities, reaching a helping hand from so many miles away. This not only shows that people have not lost their ability to care for their fellow men but also the strong hand of the media as a facilitator in such good deeds. Nirosha can now achieve her dream of being gainfully self-employed at home so that she may, one day, look after her aging parents.

For those who wish to contact Nirosha with further financial assistance, could write to Nirosha Iranganie, Thenamkuriyawa, Anamaduwa.

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