Background

Introduction

Most extremists do not represent the views of the mainstream population of any country. They are a minority who resort to violence, perhaps because other methods had failed, as a way to achieve their aspirations. Death and killing becomes a part of this cycle.

However noble these aspirations may be, the method chosen invariably leads to innocent children and their parents being affected. This has been the consequence in Sri Lanka where there are a number of orphans, probably amongst both Tamils, Singhalese and other ethnic minority communities. A judgment is not being made here of the rights and wrongs of the situation, the causes or for that reason even the solution; a statement is simply made here of the consequences, that is all.

One could only hope that there will be no further addition to the numbers requiring help because of the present peace pact, hoping of course, that it lasts.

There are a number of orphanages that are dedicated to looking after these children. Some of the projects are also helping the widows.

The Rationale

The children, who are being looked after and cared for in the orphanages are mainly under the ages of fifteen. As they grow up they are going to realise that the loss of their parents and the consequent suffering was mainly due to actions taken by members of the other group, either as soldiers fighting for the Government or as terrorists fighting for the Tamil Tigers. As always the case, a minority of them could become militant and revengeful and seek vengeance.

The children need to grow up NOT to seek revenge and vengeance. They need to be helped and educated now and shown love and direction and be given the opportunity to fend for themselves to the extent they realise there is another way to deal with the past.

It is only those who are compassionate, who will be prepared to help and give without expecting anything in return. We are off the opinion, when these children are helped by these compassionate strangers, perhaps even foreigners who live in another country, they will realise the full impact of love.

We must make a difference

Some wise man said that we are in this world to realise our potential and in so doing leave it better place, better than when we found it.

Most of us are blessed with good health, a reasonable standard of living and probably are living in countries with the freedom to do as we please within the realms of the laws of the land. Our children grow up being fed well, given the opportunity of a good education, lovingly looked after and protected.

Do we ever stop to consider what magic brought this about? Why were we not born in a country without freedom, of poor health, with our children not having three square meals a day? Were we the chosen ones and the others were cursed for something they had done? Is it that the chosen ones should let the others suffer because; perhaps they had done some thing in the past and as such deserve to?

In this world we will never know the answer to any of these questions. If we believe what the wise man said, then the answer does not matter. It is our duty to leave it a better place than when we found it. It is our duty to help those who are unfortunate to be in need, without questioning, without knowing the answer. Somehow we all know this is the right thing to do. The answers are in our heart, where it should be.

We are two friends who believe “It is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness” and as such have embarked on this project. Life is always full of opposites, up and down, rich and poor, divine and diabolical, sacred and profane and of course pleasure and pain. As much as the experience of these opposites is part of life, suffering need not be.

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