Beacon of hope for war battered children

Anuradha KODAGODA

The decades long war orchestrated by the LTTE has made them orphans forever even though the entire nation got relieved of it on May 19 this year.

They have become life time victims of the brutal terrorism as these innocent children who need the affection of their loving parents are not in a position to get that much needed love as the brutal terrorism has taken their parents away from them.

The International Children's Day which is being celebrated today with much hype would not have made any difference to these innocent children who have lost their parents in the war and now living in IDP orphanages in Vavuniya, Rambakulam and Koirkkulam.

If not for the Tharunyata Hetak program which came forward to bring them a happy and different experience in their lives when the entire world is celebrating the International Children's Day with much grandeur. Tharunyata Hetak under a special program to mark the International Childrens Day brought 39 girls from orphanages in IDP camps in Menik Farm to Colombo to make a difference in their lives.

The program started last Monday and it includes entertainment and educational and cultural events.

The Daily News had the opportunity to meet these children as they were enjoying the water games at the Leisure World among colleagues from other parts of the country who were enjoying the water games.

Like many other children they too enjoyed this novel experience to come out of the horrors the children of their age should not experience at any moment.

The language barrier and their inability to express their feelings barred us from communicating with them much. But their eyes did the talking showing how much they loved the different experience they had outside their orphanages.

"We are happy to participate in this event and we are thankful to President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Namal Rajapaksa for their kindness. We have enjoyed a lot during this event. We are having good schools in Vavuniya and the Government is helping us a lot for our educational needs. My hope is to study hard and to be a good citizen in the country, "one of the participants of the event, 14-year-old Karthika said while engaged in water games.

They all can recall the horrors in their life but it was not the time to disturb the happy moments.

Amarthalingam (12) and Parameshvaree ( 10) also were overjoyed by the opportunity made available to them and expressed their gratitude picking up words one by one.

"These children are from Vavuniya, Rambakulam and Koirkkulam IDP orphanage camps and we have separated these children into three categories according to their age limits. All the children who have participated in this event are below 14 years," said a Government Volunteer who has been working for the welfare of the children in Menik farm welfare camp.

"During the past four months we have been counselling all these children who were depressed and victims of the war condition. We all should be thankful to President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his son Namal Rajapaksa for organizing these types of entertainment events for these children to re-develop their lifestyle and we must appreciate the effort taken by the Government and the forces to re-build these children's future," he said.

In orphanages in welfare camps the basic needs are facilitated by the Government. Special educational programs have been organized for the children and all the necessities such as books and stationery have been supplied by the Government, he said.

During their stay in Colombo these children also took part in a special religious ceremony at Sri Siva Subramaniyam Kovil Kotahena, dancing workshop conducted by Chandana Wickramasighe and attended a special meeting with President Rajapaksa.

They will end their four day program with yet another entertainment program at Victoria Park, Colombo today.