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| Sunday, 27 March 2005 |
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Junior Observer |
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News Business Features
Editorial
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Coming out of the darkby Vimukthi Fernando and Chamitha Kuruppu They are just like you. They go to school. Some like to study, some do not. All of them love to play, sing, dance and laugh. They fight with each other as well. Cricket is the favourite game for many of them. But, there is one small difference between most of you and these boys and girls we speak of.
They do not have a house of their own, because their houses have been washed away - completely destroyed by the tsunami. Many of them have lost someone they love - mother, father, sister, brother, cousin, aunt, uncle or grandparent. And yet, they laugh, play, study and are determined to overcome the difficulties caused by the tsunami on December 26 last year. They are the children of Lovigahawatte in Magalle, Galle - now living at the Dissanayake Medical Students' Hostel at Lovigahawatte, the only building in the area left intact by the devastating tsunami waves. They plan to hold a concert, in memory of their loved ones, and to let the world know that they have the courage and the strength to go on.
The Junior Observer spoke to some of them regarding their experience of the tsunami and how they carry on with their lives now. We found out that all the children at the camp are heroes. Some of them braved the tsunami waves to rescue their loved ones. Many of them take care of their little sisters and brothers now, having lost their mothers to the sea. Some have taken over their fathers' role, earning a few rupees with whatever skills they have, to help their mothers meet the monthly expenses.
Nine-year-old Chamila Madushani is one such little heroine, playing the role of a surrogate mother to her younger brother. Having lost her loving mother and many other relatives to the calamity that happened on December 26, Chamila thought she will never be able to get back to her regular life. But, after three months, she says that she has no time to waste thinking about 'that unfortunate' day. Knowing that there is no one to remind her about homework, on her own, Chamila gets ready for her evening studies everyday after refreshing herself. A student of Sudarma Maha Vidyalaya in Magalle, Galle, Chamila says that academic activities for the first term are being conducted as usual. "We have not yet received school textbooks. I wish we will get them soon, so we can study," says Chamila.
M. K. Gayana Madhushani is 11 years old. An year 6 student of Sudarma Maha Vidyalaya, Gayana had been doing her homework for her English tuition class, when the tsunami struck. "We could not run, because we were looking for our little brother. Then my mother went into a house near the road for safety. All of us were holding hands. But the next wave came with such force, that we were separated and washed away in different directions. Aiya and myself however were washed in the same direction towards Sambodhi Vihara. I hung on to a gate and all of us went to the Bataduwa temple after the water receded," she says. Gayana says she wants to be "someone important who earns a lot of money" when she grows up. She loves dancing and music. Gayana does not mind becoming a teacher either.
Gayana's elder sister, 14-year-old Ishara Madhushani looks after her because they lost both their mother and little brother to the tsunami. But, neither her loss, nor her added responsibilities deterred Ishara. With the help of their brother Shashith Madushanka, Ishara leads the organising of their concert. Unlike Chamila and Gayana, who are more concerned about studies, for M. K. Prabath Amantha, cricket is everything on his mind. Prabath spends most of his evenings with a bat and a ball. He was one of the first to run to the Galle Stadium with the 'Navy uncles', who took them there, when the Sri Lankan Test Cricket Team visited the area. "When I grow up I want to become a cricket star. That's why I play cricket everyday," says Prabath.
He too is a brave little hero. He rescued his little sister, nine-year-old Shashini Prasadi from the tsunami. But, Prabath is shy to speak of his heroism. His little sister Shashini says, "We were being washed away towards a Buddha statue. Aiya wanted me to get onto the statue but we could not. Then, he took me towards a nearby roof onto which both of us climbed." Prabath has only one little worry, that is, the lack of a cricket coach in his school. Besides the lack of a coach, they have some other problems as well, says Prabath's 'cricket buddy' Tharindra, who also hopes to become a cricket star in the future. They will not be able to fulfil their dream of becoming national cricket stars, if their school playground is not cleaned immediately. "The ground is full of debris and because of that, we haven't played cricket for the last two months," complains Tharindra.
Their playmate E.A.G.S. Kavinda, who wants to study well and enter the university, jumped into the tsunami waters twice, to save his aunt and his little brother. "I saw my aunt caught in the water and I jumped into the water to save her. But it was too strong for me, and I was washed further off about 20 metres where I could suddenly feel the ground beneath my feet. But as I stood there, I saw my little brother being washed away. He was shouting for us to save him. Both my father and myself jumped into the water," says Kavinda. He managed to save his little brother. But, their father lost his life. And now, both Kavinda and his little brother help their mother by carrying out small household tasks. They are now determined to study and get themselves "employed with big salaries" to take care of their mother.
Eleven-year-old A. Dilini Nisansala is happy that they have settled down close to where their houses were, with their school near by. "It was difficult when we had to stay at the Bataduwa temple," says Dilini. "We came here in the new year, after the school re-opened." Concerned about cleanliness, she speaks of how they cleaned the building before moving in. "There was mud and sand, up to a height of about two and a half feet. We had to dig it out, then sweep and wash the rooms." She wants to become a doctor "just like those doctor aunties and uncles who helped us at the hospital," says Dilini. However, there are some, who have still not recovered from the devastation that happened three months ago. G. W. Nayanajith, who looks after his little brother Gayan Sampath, says he is not interested in studies any more. While convincing Nayanajith, six-year-old Gayan Sampath says he will study well. "We have nothing left, but if we study well, we can live a happy life in the future," says little Gayan.
A huge wall of water dragged U. Dhanushka inland - many metres away from his home. And since then, he has not gone near the sea, which he once loved so much. "Even though I live near the sea, I haven't had a sea bath since December," says Dhanushka. "Aiyo, I had a sea bath this morning. Don't be afraid of the sea. Both our fathers went fishing last night. So why should we be scared?" asks Dasun Sachintha, who is only eight years old. And that is the spirit in most of them. K.K. Devika was busy practising her dance item for the forthcoming concert. An athlete who has won many awards in school Devika is concerned about her studies even though her life has been disrupted. D.M. Dinesh Kumara a student of Vidyakara Vidyalaya, Galle will be sitting for his ordinary level examination this year. Dinesh who came up with the idea of organising a concert is presently busy practising various dance items. While mourning the loss of his loving mother he struggles hard to make the best of life. "I will do my examination well and bring pride to my late mother and father who is ever so protective of me," assures Dinesh. Ironically just after three months, geological experts have warned that high waves could be expected during the latter part of this month. Due to the destruction of the natural barrier by the tsunami, and high tide, the experts say the sea might once again flow inland, causing damages. Some of our little friends along with their parents are again on the
move, looking for safer shelter. The camp which initially sheltered over 30
children is now left with around ten children. |
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