Sri Lankan school's heartening response to IDP crisis

Kahomada? Eppati irukkinga?

That’s Sinhala and Tamil respectively for “How are you?”

One dreads to think what the truthful answer is for the thousands and thousands of people stuck in internally displaced people’s (IDP) camps in Sri Lanka, following the government’s military victory over the Tamil Tigers.

Shemil Mathew, a mission partner based near Colombo with his wife Becky, has written to share the encouraging response of families at the school where he works, and where Becky is chaplain. 

“I am writing this to tell you about the generosity of the St Thomas' school students and staff, in response to the appeal made for helping the Internally displaced people in Sri Lanka. As we mentioned in CMS prayer::space, there are thousands of people living in the temporary camps in this country. The government says that they will try to resettle the IDPs as soon as possible, but some people estimate that it may take up to a couple of years. They are also trying to develop the infrastructure in the areas previously under the control of the rebels.

“Despite the global economic crisis, which is affecting Sri Lanka, people have been very generous. Becky is still sorting out the things that we received. However, here goes an approximate list – 500 sarongs, 300 sandals, 500+ tubes of toothpaste, 500+ tooth brushes, 600+ packs of mosquito coils, 500+ bead sheets, and yet to be counted - notebooks, towels, bed sheets, medicines, razors, sanitary towels, mosquito nets, toys, water bottles etc.

“The week before, a boy came to see Becky, his father recently lost his job and he is struggling to pay the school fees. An appeal was made in the chapel and another parent offered to sponsor the this boy for his college fees, we are yet again amazed by the generosity of this family. However we are hearing that more and more families are having financial problems, as the global financial recession is affecting the country.

“In the picture you can see some of the mosquito coils that are being collected. There are more and more dengue and Chicken Guinea cases been reported in the country. Even with electric coils in the house we get bitten by the mosquitoes all most every day so we can only imagine the situation of those who are living in the temporary accommodation. Please do continue to pray for those who are in the camps.”

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As the Church of Ceylon plans its long-term contribution to healing the wounds of a brutally divided country, CMS wants to be an active partner. We are grateful for any donations which will go to supporting the church’s response in the aftermath of the war.
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