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| Sunday, 16 January 2005 |
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Youth to the fore Missions of Mercy by Umangi de Mel Big hearts and helping hands....It's the youth that have joined hands to build bridges of love and care over the debris and a hope free zone.
Sujeewa Palagama, (Medical Fac., University of Peradeniya) says a lot of university students are enthusiastic about helping the destitute in numerous ways, "A group of us went to Ambalangoda and Galle where you get so many refugee camps. You get large gatherings of people in temples and schools as well. They've lost their houses, lands and relatives thus many are in need of physical and psychological support." Sujeewa says that their prime target was to treat the sick, "The possibility of spreading airborne and waterborne diseases is high and many people who had been on medication for diabetes and blood pressure had no medicine at the time we went there. Also there were people with wounds and other injuries. We attended to everybody who was sick," he says, adding that there's enough enthusiasm to go on for sometime, "There's hundred per cent student involvement trying to find, collect and distribute the rations to these people." Yet another medical student, who wished to remain anonymous says, having visited both Ampara and Kalmunai, their venture was pretty productive, "Having gone to Ampara, we joined with the MOH of the area who directed us to refugee camps where we had our health clinics, later on. "The first stop was a school, which had about 2000 people but not many were sick. We treated about 150 patients. They didn't have enough medical care but we had taken a whole lot of drugs and a doctor as well. "People were so helpless, the whole town looked abandoned." He says that people were in need of some kind of medical assistance as there had been injured people in the camps. "There were people with wounds that needed to be dressed and we treated whoever who came. We were there for two days and then back at campus. There's a lot of enthusiasm among undergrads to help these people. They are on the verge of starting exams but everybody wants to help". According to him, students have been going to places like Galle, Matara and Trincomalee ever since the tsunami hit Sri Lanka. "People felt bad seeing things on television and we're happy that we did what we could for them in our own way" Talking about a most vital thing, he says that there has to be a long-term plan as well. "These people need to be kept healthy and trying to locate them with the basic requirements, is very important. Channelling aid continously should be done till they can stand on their feet. It's not just a one off thing where people get excited and go to help. It's important to continue help in every way." Buddhika Dassanayake, 24 (Med. Student University of Peradeniya) talking about his experience at Kalmunai and Karaithivu, Buddhika says that the camps are pretty much organised, "They had P.A. systems, flood lights, storage tanks, waste disposal and PHI's who were working. "Since the drainage system appears to be a major problem in these camps, they had introduced trench latrines where you dig a deep trench and put planks across. You divide it lengthwise into cubicles. When one trench fills up, you dig up another one and fill up the previous one with soil. They have got enough food to survive for months but unfortunately there's a bit of racial segregation, still going on in the camps among refugees", he adds. Buddhika talks about the massive destruction outside, "At Kalmunai, there had been a housing scheme near the beach with a row of wells but now you can only see a row of wells. What's left is a whole bunch of rubble. "Also the town gets flooded very fast since the drainage system is a mess." He feels that their attempt was quite fruitful although sustaining treatment is uncertain. "Somebody needs to take it up from where we finished. It's great that people are concerned but unfortunately the drugs that are donated don't meet the needs sometimes. Drugs change according to the disease. Malaria and similar sicknesses will follow because of the floods. So it's better if stuff could be more requirement oriented. And whatever the help that is given should be coordinated and constant." He feels that the refugees need to be housed as soon as possible, "The temporary makeshift camps won't do for long. If you are looking at the psychological problems, mass psycho therapy is not practical. It's one thing we can't intervene with, as people. It should be left far time, to deal with it". Nigel Raymond, 22 (Student from the Science Faculty of Peradeniya - President of Rotaract Club, Kandy, Metropolis)says, "People were donating clothes and stuff but medical aid was lacking. There were a lot of people who were willing to donate medical aid and money. In fact we even donated excess medicine to the Ampara hospital. The Karaithivu hospital was flattened and the sole survivor who is a lady doctor had already established a medical camp to help the sick. We feel that we achieved our objective. We treated pregnant women, injured people and children who had aches and pains." He says the youth involvement in rebuilding and contributing is pretty satisfactory. "We also opened an account getting relatives and friends who were abroad to contribute. The Rotaract club and Interact clubs have got cracking and they have collected lots of funds and medicine. "We will also organise a large scale concert to collect funds as a long term plan," Nigel adds that they hope to collect Rs. 10 million through the concert. Dinuka Karunaratne, 21 (Engineering Faculty, University of Peradeniya) who has gone to Batticaloa and the coastal areas along with another friend seems to have seen another side of the story, "Those camps had enough food and clothing and even medical aid but they seem to have a lot of social problems. And certain people are looking forward to getting back to work. What they need is a place to stay." Dr. Ajay Jeyaseelan, President, Rotaract Club, Kandy, and the members say, "We coordinated and started collecting stuff like medicine, clothes, food, money, water and sanitaryware with the help of the Interact Clubs like Kandy Girls' High School, Kingswood College, St. Anthony's College and Good Shepherd Convent. We had people going around door to door and still it's happening. So far, we've distributed stuff in areas like Batticaloa and Ampara." Sensing the gravity of the problem, Ajay says it's important to have a long-term plan to continue aid, "Probably identify a village and continue to help them till they can be on their feet again. But the ongoing attempt to help these people are admirable. People are personally going to affected areas but the real problem will come after sometime where people will need houses. The main thing is psychological back-up. You don't need to be a doctor to talk to these people. Anybody can do it and help them find relatives." He feels that the law should be very strict on people who loot stuff. "You should immediately penalise them. As for collecting and distributing, people lack coordination. Everybody's doing things haphazardly and certain remote areas don't get anything. Somebody should take the responsibility and see that the needy gets the relief aid." ***** Walking the talk by Chamitha Kuruppu It has been three weeks since the deadly tsunami attacked our country. The catastrophe has given rise to an inner strength. There are no more tears only hope to rebuild a better country. Oomph! spoke to some youth in the aftermath of this calamity. Senisha Rajaguru (18): On that day we were returning home from Galle following a wedding reception held the previous day. Somewhere near Hikkaduwa my two younger sisters insisted that we should have a sea bath. Then we noticed there was 'something terribly wrong' with the sea. So my father decided to drive home straight. Once we got home we heard about this calamity. We are still in a state of shock.
Along with my two sisters I have started collecting clothes and other necessary goods to be distributed to the victims in welfare camps. Most of our school friends have joined us. And we are planning to visit a camp in some distant area because we heard that such camps do not receive any aid. We hope to get involved in a long-term plan, maybe to build a house or a school building. But for that we need the help of adults. All I know is, that, we will not limit our efforts just to distributing clothes and dry rations, because they are our 'brothers' and 'sisters' and they need our help. Charith Hirantha (21): From the time I heard about this terrible disaster I have decided to do everything possible to help these innocent people. For two days I was helping a private media institution to distribute aid in refugee camps. Now the company I work for, is organising a project to reconstruct a school library destroyed by the tsunami. We have already commenced collecting books. Those people were living normal lives, just like us. But, for some reason they have been unfortunate victims of a terrible disaster. I believe it is our responsibility to help them to rebuild their lives. Natalie Pieris (16): My family was planning to visit Yala during that weekend, for some reason my brother said he wanted to spend Christmas at my grandparents house. I think it was God who saved us. My parents have decided to adopt a child who has lost his or her parents from the catastrophe. My brother and I are waiting eagerly till our new family member comes home, then we will be helping a tsunami victim throughout our lives. Fathima Rizna (18): I think we should stop talking about this incident and start doing some work to bring our country back on track. From December 26 until this moment, all TV channels have been reporting the tsunami. After watching all the bodies and mass destructions, my mother got sick and she was hospitalised. The media should stop sensationalising this. And as youth there are many things we can do, especially helping the young victims to get over the feeling. We can talk to them and assure them, that they can start going to school again and that their houses will be reconstructed. I think it's time to stop all the negative feeling that has got into Sri Lankans, and get on with their lives. Lakmali Perera (22): When some 30,000 people died, for some reason or other, we survived. We have to realise our responsibilities and start acting now. I have visited several affected areas. I have distributed aid and helped some doctors in refugee camps. I strongly believe that we can't get away by only distributing some lunch packets. People should get involved in long-term projects. Yashodara (18): I heard that the children affected, especially the ones who have lost their parents need to be psychologically prepared to face the situation. Therefore, about 20 children from my area (Kurunegala) are collecting money to organise clinics. Several doctors have volunteered to help us. We want to consult Sri Lanka Sumithrayo, because they are the best people to handle this kind of work. Adrian De Silva (21): The country has been getting aid, so it's up to the Government to start rebuilding this country. As youth, we have a bigger role to play. Many youth were involved in collecting donations and cleaning affected areas. Meanwhile, colleagues from my university are helping affected children by way of donating school books, uniform material, shoes, school bags and other necessary items. We are also planning to organise some classes to teach the children, because they will not be able to attend school for some time. |
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Walking through rubble to help the feeble to start from scratch, beat
whatever that may come and stand on their feet, once again. Tsunami did a
lot of damage and took the colour out of our lives but havig people who
have bigger hearts will certainly inspire them to fight back.
