Email
from Kamalini Kanapathippillai
Subject: .
Greetings,
At the age of 16, a
bullet fired during the Sri Lankan war entered Vijitha's spine. Today, she
remains in a wheelchair, the bullet unable to be removed. In that 2009
war she also lost her father, and now at age 22 she lives with her mother and a
special needs sister in a war-damaged house.
Each day her mother
removes her from their home in the rural village of Mulliyavalai, and sets her
under a tree, where Vijitha remains alone for most of the day. As you may know,
the houses, lanes and roads are not wheelchair-accessible in Sri Lankan villages.
Vijitha is unable to go anywhere.
After hearing her tragic
story, I visited her as she sat under a tree alone. After a discussion with
Vijitha and her mother, I felt she need an accomplishment to regain her
self-esteem. I suggested to Vijitha that we build a chicken coop that she could
manage from her wheelchair.
A month later, the
chicken farm fully functional, Vijitha no longer sits under a tree alone. Now
each day she arises with purpose and looks forward to managing the chickens.
The bullet remains in her spine but is unable to dislodge her new smile and
sense of purpose.
Two Chicago children,
Ujiith and Surajh, saved one dollar every day and gave it to me to help the
needy people in Sri Lanka. These funds paid entirely for the building of this chicken
coop and the purchase of chickens for Vijitha.
The brutal war in Sri
Lanka resulted in many personal tragedies like this. A simple kind action, such
as giving someone chickens to care for can give him or her hope and a purpose.
Let's strive to bring more joy and purpose to the less fortunate.
In Peace,
Rishi Thondunathan
PS. Herewith I am
enclosing some pictures of Vijitha and her chickens and my generous Chicago
students.
