It may be April fool’s Day and also the last day that our volunteers give as a work day for this mission . . . but don’t be fooled — Group Two performed some inspirational work here.
This journey has been filled with questions from the start: "Are we doing enough?" Let me affirm from watching all the teams in action . . . that this Minnesota group did plenty. A small grassroots mission was created on whim – and while run with some disorganization and on a "dime" — it has been clear to see what impact human nature can have on the tsunami survivors of Sri Lanka. I am so proud of what this group accomplished that I will now sing their praises . . . for as an American, I often think "we" tend to dwell on the negative of not doing enough, or not doing it fast enough or not having enough money to do all we want to do. Second guessing came naturally as volunteers questioned their expectations and concept of this mission. In the end, there is substantial physical and emotional proof that Evan Balasuriya and "HelpSriLanka-us" while not perfect — performed in wonderful and generous ways that have touched many many Sri Lankans. I would hope that our volunteers can return home knowing that their participation in this mission was seen as a positive humanitarian endeavor and that they have left some long-reaching impact on the natives they came in contact with daily.
As you aware, this past week we had a tsunami warning in Sri Lanka. I watched as a small team of volunteers organized medical bags and items to be used to comfort children. This emergency unit was ready to roll into action even though they were in safe quarters out the CSR Farm. The immediate concern was the fear of the villagers and the needs of our volunteers located close by in another hotel. While we were not successful in locating drivers wanting to head down to warning locations — we had a team waiting and ready. Volunteers here stood vigil until the danger had passed. Dedication to human kind came to mind that night as I saw people willing to endanger themselves for their concern of others.
The next day the spirit continued as our teams headed in to work with the Sri Lankan natives who had spent the night in fear away from their homes. There was no magic pill to give people who live with the reality that a tsunami could again destroy their livelihoods – yet our volunteers: Nurses, Builders & Teachers were able to use the simplicity of human contact, an open ear, a wink and a hug to let the people of Sri Lanka know they have value, we do care and that we were willing to listen. Taking the hand of a child who stayed home from school for fear of leaving a parent – was every bit as important this day – as volunteers comforted the fear with genuine concern.
The village that we are rebuilding is impoverished. It is easy to witness. What can be done to raise the people up from the poverty, now greater impacted with tsunami damage? Could the problem be cyclical and not easy to break? – Certainly, but as each volunteer came in contact with one person, some relationship was formed in the hope that maybe a child or two could rise up from the lock of poverty and the devastation of the tsunami.
We often joked that the builders worked in the conditions of Great Egypt . . . with the most primitive of tools, the heat of the sun and sweated for no pay. Yet, in 30-days, I witnessed some excellent progress that any builder should be proud of — because this after all is SRI LANKA – not the US. The builders leave knowing they built up a community center; they participated in the grand opening of the soup kitchen, they tore down poor houses, rebuilt damaged homes and started from scratch building new homes; they set up playground equipment; they built a community shower that was met with joy and happiness; they mixed concrete by hand, they hauled concrete and bricks distances that required strength and endurance and they worked in scorching oppressive heat with limited access to safe water and toilets. And in the end, they made special friends with villagers and earned the respect of small impoverished community that would not have been as strong if not for these volunteers and their willingness to commit to this project.
The teachers not only brought the International language of English to the many schools, orphanages, refugee camps and the village – they delighted babies, children and adults with their laughter and enthusiasm. They inspired people to move forward – to visit the beach – to add color to their lives through drawings and play – to have joy while learning and to participate in education . . . all while receiving the warmth of smiles from the Americans . . . and one Canadian, too (Anita – *wink*). For the children to prosper competitively in the international world, being taught the English language is a necessity. The teachers used many tools for interaction from music, dance and song to simple English lessons on colors, names and numbers. The teaching group was able to purchase badly needed products for camps and schools. They bought mattresses, milk, kerosene lamps, wash basins and so many materials, we as Americans take for granted daily. Most importantly they provided love as daily nourishment for some very underprivileged and disadvantaged children.
The nursing team stayed as active as they visited hospitals, schools, refugee camps and the village. One small group went out on an agency assist in the south of Sri Lanka to provide relief for overworked nurses. They also purchased a fishing boat for a fisherperson who had lost his boat in the tsunami. It was not unusual to see the nurses each day preparing medical bags and care packages that people desperately sought. The nursing team had wondered if they may do more tsunami-related care when they arrived – yet much of the immediate needs have been tended to. This left wound care of a different sort – as impoverishment leads to poor medical health in general. How wonderful it was to see the small medical clinics fill with village people who came simply to know that someone was there to lend care. A nurse who would look at them, tend to their wound or illness and give compassion in the process. This basic foundation of nursing was practiced in the truest sense here in Sri Lanka when a nurse knelt down, touched a hand or knee and with a gentle voice comforted people living in with the distress of poverty bearing the additional burden of tsunami destruction. In addition, nurses assisted with support during a surgery of a local woman and also made arrangements for the surgery of a sick infant. Anyone of the nurses could have been the prototype for a modern day Cherry Ames.
Evan, of course as is his "weakness" 🙂 — was busy from morning until late evening – with an ever active mind of ideas . . . time and (as is the case commonly in small organizations) lack of money were the only limits that restrict the heart he puts in to the "HelpSriLanka-us" org. Yet, that weakness is also his strength as he thinks positive at all times, moves forwards, thinks of news goals and most importantly interacts and makes himself available to the children and people of the village. From dining with them, to taking them shopping, to visiting their homes, he is truly another member of this village. One wonderful accomplished pioneered by Evan was creating savings bank accounts for each village child with a small start-up amount. Parents can not access the accounts. The child can access the account when they reach a certain age. The hope is that people who travel as volunteers will form bonds with children and be willing to assist with an occasional deposit that will have the potential to be used for advanced schooling. Whatever the weaknesses of this organization — the strengths can be outweighed by support and encouragement of positive thinkers willing to go outside of the box – as Evan has demonstrated.
In my humble opinion – each volunteer should be thankful for the opportunity that was given to them when Evan decided to pursue volunteers of all walks coming together for this humanitarian tsunami mission. Certainly, we have discovered that many of the natives of Sri Lanka are gentle and kind souls who look to the Americans (one Canadian, too) for some relief from a 3rd world existence. And may we leave knowing that what we have in America is a gift and not to be taken for granted. If for that awareness alone, the people of Sri Lanka have given us the biggest gift in return. Bless them!
Sincerely,
Pam Dowell – Communications Coordinator
http://www.helpsrilanka.us
