17 March, 2005

Here is Sri Lanka!

Ah, technology!



I am pleased to show you the map of Sri Lanka so you can get a view of the places I have talked about.
(I have put a map on this blog, but it is not cooperating in showing up.)

AHIMSA is working in Hikkaduwa with a Youth Centre and Buddhist temple which supports a Tsunami relief camp for people who lost their homes. While the distances are short, the trip is over three hours along Galle Road with three wheelers, buses, cars, trucks, oxen and the like filling the road of honking vehicles that are rarely on the right side of the road. They pass on the left or the right and their primary mode of communication is honking.

Our trips to Batticaloa take over seven hours with traffic challenges as described and the added challenges of gravel and dirt roads disrupted with continual presence of military, young boys with weapons, and look out spots along desolate open areas with nothing more than buffalo , egrets, and the rare group of elephants appearing in the hot, dusty daylight.
I am the mum to three sons and have to imagine how these young lads spend their days in uniform, with a weapon, in all the boredom of long hours and days with very little relief or fun.

Children are supposed to play. Older Children should have access to work that they choose and furthers their learning. Children are supposed to have futures to look forward to. As I read the report of a colleague, Angie’s research discussion children’s views of conflict in 7 communities across Sri Lanka, I am struck by the harshness of children’s lives here.

The UN convention on the Rights of the Child speaks to children:

Article 3: In all actions concerning children the best interest of the child should be the primary consideration.

Article 6: The state has an obligation to protect a child’s right to life, and to ensure that children are able to develop fully.

Article 12: Children have the right to express opinions in any matter which concerns them, and their views given due consideration in accordance with their age and maturity.

Article 29: The purpose of education is to develop children’s personality and talents, to prepare them for active adult life, to foster respect for basic human rights, and a respect for the child’s own culture and those of others.

Sri Lankan children are often forced by family to stay home and work in the home instead of attending school. I remember a similar 11 year old girl with dark circles under her eyes in a Calgary school. Her parents, new Canadians, cleaned office buildings at night. So this little 11 year old had been up all night as she cleaned her home and looked after a sick baby who had a fever. She had trouble staying awake in class, let alone learning.

Sri lankan children when asked about conflict , described alcoholism, violence and abuse, witnessing their mothers being hit, and a lack of support for children in homes and communities. There is no 800 number to call here, there is no one who knows where to report abuse if a child does tell. And where would a child go to be safe? Police, staff who look after children, are not a sure protection. One child care worker said, “I think you have an expression- ‘out of the frying pan, into the fire’?” So there is a silence around here, and speaking up could in fact bring more danger. Life is so very painful some times.

I asked a little girl how all the dogs know how to stay safe when the traffic is so bad on the roads (I do not see dead animals struck by vehicles here). She told me that dogs and children know how to keep alert to danger, because there is so much of it. “You are always aware of danger.”

Tonight, tuck a little one into bed, or look with compassion at that young lad who is trying to break into your car; and know that life can be hard for children… everywhere. Lads do not take up a weapon and join militant forces, or children do not turn to the streets for excitement; the fact for the majority of these young people is that life is full of pain at home. We, who have a meal, a bed, safety and health, it is we who must speak up for the children.