|
|
|
| Sunday, 27 November 2005 |
 |
|
 |
Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
A teddy to keep your tears away by Chamitha Kuruppu
For the last fifty years, Bernard Fison from England has been sailing around the world. His life as a sailor had made him a wealthy man - as well as giving him the opportunity to travel around the world. While enjoying his profession Bernard on the other hand felt that he should spend his money on charity. So, this Santa Claus look alike humble Englishman kept his eyes wide open till he get an opportunity to help the less privileged people around the world. Unforgettable Somewhere around in December 2004, Bernard was watching news on the television. He was eagerly waiting to know the current situation of the unfortunate tsunami devastation that struck many Asian countries. The unforgettable scenes of the Galle Bus Station and commuters who were struggling to escape from the jaws of death shocked Bernard. According to Bernard he had never experienced such tragedy. That very moment he felt that it was the 'right time' to commence his work. He felt that God has finally called him for 'duty'. In early January, 2005 Bernard visited Sri Lanka and his first stop was at Galle. Many were busy attending to the thousands of people displaced by the tidal waves. His attempts to meet the government officials or charity organisations to help the tsunami victims was unsuccessful. But, Bernard did not want to do anything informal and was trying to go through the proper channels. After weeks of struggle Bernard decided to go back to England. "These people don't need my help. Why should I waste my life here. There are many other countries that need me," Bernard told himself. As he decided in late January Bernard left for England. While on the air bus he was reading the Sunday Observer and an article published on the paper about the tragic life of an elderly person abandoned by tidal waves shocked Bernard. Coming back Bernard decided to bring joy to the woman in the paper. He made his second visit to Sri Lanka and met a Red Cross Organisation in Sri Lanka and requested for the postal address of the woman. "I want to become her pen friend," Bernard explained to the Red Cross official. However, once again Bernard did not get the answer he was longing for. "Do you think she has the money to spend on air mail? how can she read your letters, the old lady might not be able to understand your language? was the reply Bernard received from the official. After a couple of weeks Bernard paid his third visit to Sri Lanka. This time he had another ambition on his mind. This time he was planning to twin elders homes in Sri Lanka. He was armed with a list of over twenty elders homes in Sri Lanka as well as several other charity organisations in the country who were dealing with elders. He visited every single institution in his list. But, what Bernard heard was different from what he was planning to do in Sri Lanka. "They were not interested in what I had to offer but had many appeals to make," says Bernard. An elders home in the South with over fifty blind people wanted a fence in the river (Bernard thinks this is very weird) where they bathe, to escape from the deadly crocodiles. A Priest from Galle requested Bernard for 25 boats and support to promote lagoon fishing. Bernard's current visit to Sri Lanka is to help these people and provide financial assistance. "A couple of days ago, I visited an elders' home to explain my work in Sri Lanka. After listening to me they asked me whether I could give them some cash. When I asked about the cause they said that they haven't had any food for a week," notes Bernard. "I couldn't believe how a 60 or a 70-year-old can wait seven days without food," he stresses. Bringing joy This is his fourth visit to Sri Lanka. Each time he visits this country he brings happiness and joy to some less privileged person in Sri Lanka. He will leave Sri Lanka this time to find more financial assistance and volunteers from England to teach English in several elders' homes and orphanages in Sri Lanka. Like on his previous visits Bernard is not wasting his time to find the proper channels to carry out his charity work, because his attempts had been unsuccessful for the last eleven months. |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
