Founder - Lend-A-Hand Fund: Message
In 1991 I met Anushiya Ponniah in Colombo, the time we both were studying at the same Institute. Anushiya is from Jaffna, the Northern part of Sri Lanka. Soon after we met she introduced me to her family and I spent much time with them. During one of my visits to her place her Mom mentioned how they made their way to Colombo during the 1990 internal conflict, as Anushiya´s mom told her and her sister to pack up the only items Anushiya, a 15 year old then, packed was her school books……
This act of one child speaks volumes for her and many others like her.
This act of my dear friend touched me very deeply that it began to grow in me, it was a spark in my heart, Children´s desires and the importance they place in their education.
Another incident that touched me was seeing two little boys crying on the street payment in Colombo at Grandpass Road and no one cared to lend a hand to them.
These are my encounters in life that inspired me especially to lend a hand to children who need assistance to continue with their education and any other assistance they need.
I have worked with many children, some who spend normal lives and others who experience war, natural disasters, separation etc… throughout my professional and personal experience with children; I learnt the importance of children expressing his or her own views in regard to their personal needs and dreams.
One most important need that these children express is education. "I want to go to school", I want to study and when I grow up I will be a "Doctor" and the list goes on…
In 2004-2006 the Lend-A-Hand Fund organized and funded health camps in the East, and I visited many camps in the South as a counselor, during this period too these children opened up to me and told me their stories what their lives were like before the Tsunami, what they experienced due to it and what they felt at (then) present and none of them failed to express their need to go back to school
Most of these children the Lend-A-Hand Fund helps have lost either parent or both parents, siblings, family and friends whom we cannot replace ever. Yet we need to let these children know they are not alone, that they are being loved and cared for, they are important to us.
As I visit these Children, I can see great potential in them and the will or strength to reach the top, to achieve any goal they are dreaming of. One can recognize the desire or the gift these children carry within them to make use of every little resource they have to achieve their dreams.
I believe, for them to reach their goal, their happiness or purpose in life education is one way. So let´s help them. These lives are our own future.
We sincerely thank the donors and all those who continue to support the Lend-A-Hand Fund since the inception. I greatly appreciate the assistance given to the Lend-A-Hand Fund to carry out our work for these children that they may not drop out of school for reasons of want. Every penny counts as it goes a long way in our continuing endeavor to assist these children to obtain their education.
Thank You All Once Again
