He Knows My Name!

He stood before me, tall and proud. "He's a rugby player" they announced with obvious pride, "He plays for one of the best schools".

As I sat eating my breakfast the same waiter served me again, he has been on duty for the last few days, and like most of the staff they are efficient, friendly but quietly unobtrusive. But some people cannot be constrained!

The two of us have struck up a friendship - frowned upon I suspect by the boss at first, but when he realised it was a mutual friendship he joined in; and so I learned that Lakshantha is a rugby player. And it all started because I called him by name (thanks to his name tag).

I have been reminded on many occasions over these past few weeks how important it is to treat people with dignity - and to call them by name. It was as if I had done something remarkable when Lakshantha heard me say his name - as big and tough as he looks, his eyes lit up and he smiled and amazing, shy smile.

It was a vast difference to the complete disregard, disdain and downright rudeness with which I have seen some of the guests treat Lakshantha and the other staff. Sometimes it seems it is just too easy to treat people as if they are worthless or not enough - to put them down so that we can feel superior. To put them in their place so that we can feel in control and powerful. Maybe an easy way to do that is to refuse to acknowledge another's name.

But when we hear our name spoken by a person who is looking into our eyes, it is then that we know that we have been acknowledged, we have been called worthwhile, we are enough! I am so grateful to be reminded that God knows me by name - that the God who sees into my soul, my deepest, secret place - still chooses to call me by name and to call me 'very good'.

Lakshantha will be waiting for me in the morning, guarding the table that he has claimed as mine; we will talk about rugby, food and family - and he will let me into a little more of his world - not because I am anything special - but because I took time to see him, and to call him by name.

Captain Crowden and Mrs Captain? I Remember Them!

I have spent this week facilitating a Project Design Workshop in the Jaffna Public Library. Together with the project staff we have been joined by members of all levels of local government and community members. It was during our first Tea break, after I had been introduced that an elderly man from the Pradeshiya Sabha (Local Government) approached me with great excitement: "Your name is Crowden", he said, "Captain Crowden and Mrs Captain, I remember them."

Apparently in 1974 Captain and Mrs Crowden had some dealings with the Remand Board, or something like that, and it was this man who now stood before me asking if I was related.

I am not sure if there are many people that have made such a lasting impact. Mum and Dad; the people who remember you in all kinds of places in this country and speak highly of your humility, your integrity, your availability and your friendship are innumerable. I have now been told how wonderful and loving you are in Colombo, Kandy, Batticaloa, Jaffna and Kaithady.

I wonder if you realise how many people are serving in Ministry, how many are Officers, how many have your picture (really old ones) on their walls and the positive impact you have had on the people of Sri Lanka. It was like walking into a living museum this evening when I visited Shalom Children's Home in Kaithady. I was met at the gate by Mrs. Rani Moses with the words, "welcome home son"; Major Thevasagayam was waiting at the Hostel and all around me it felt like nothing much had changed in the last 40 years. The property has big shady trees, and a couple of new buildings, but the chicken shed (collapsing) is still there and with great pride they took me into the kitchen to show me the 'pantry' that Captain had built.

Mum and Dad, your influence and your love have sustained many people (not just in Sri Lanka). You can be very proud of your ministry - I know I am!

The Cost

I awoke early on Saturday morning to the sound of an amplified voice, not all that unusual really for this part of the world, but this time it was a little different. It was 6:00am, and accompanying the voice were thousands of military personnel marching to the beat of half a dozen Military bands. They processed from the city end of Galle Face Green towards the iconic Galle Face Hotel before stopping in formation and at attention to listen to speeches from the officials.

It was already hot and humid and they marched in full regalia: there were snipers in ghillie suits, bands in pith helmets and feathers, bomb squad in full armour (even the black labrador had a cloak) - behind them, lining the full length of the sea wall all shapes, sizes and models of military vehicles gleamed in their new paint work. Proud soldiers wiped the dust and salt off their vehicles; a never ending and seemingly futile pursuit.

May 18 marks the 4th anniversary of the end of the war; some call it Victory Day or National Day others try to forget the day when hundreds of civilians died in Mullaitivu. But no matter what you call it, the last two groups bringing up the rear of the procession that salutes the President introduce a somber atmosphere to the celebration. A number of flat beds with amputee soldiers precede lines of wheel chair bound soldiers being pushed by comrades - all are dressed in beautiful, formal uniform, some try to hide amputated arms, others try hard to keep their heads high and proud. As they process down the road cameras are lowered and voices are hushed, no one wants to intrude on this moment - we are reminded of the cost.

Unidentified People

"We were unidentified people, you have identified us" 

In the High Country of Sri Lanka is the beautiful, mostly cool and green, district of Nuwera Eliya. This is most likely where your Ceylon Tea comes from, and for over 150 years has been the home to some of the world's best tea brands.

The picking and production of that tea relies heavily upon the Indian Tamil community that many years ago was brought across the ocean to labour on the estates.

The treatment of this group of people, who for many years did not belong either here in their homes, or in their place of birth, has not been something that we can be proud of. Even today some companies treat their labourers pretty much as slaves. But for some, and hopefully and increasing number life is changing.

In recent years they have been granted citizenship and their communities, often collections of run down 100+ year old buildings with no water or sanitation, have been recognised as 'villages' and subject to all the rights and responsibilities of all villages.

In one estate these people are now referred to as 'associates' and they have been given shares in the tea company. They have been received'official' identity cards from the Tea Company which they hang proudly around their necks - for the first time in over 150 years - these are an 'identified people'. As the President of the Community Based Organisation on the estate tells his story his voice rises with passion, he speaks faster and faster and I wonder if he will actually stop for a breath at all. When he finishes his community clap him - and they echo his words, spoken in Tamil, but translated as 'you have identified us!'

Today fresh water comes to their doorstep, and waste is channeled away appropriately. They list for me the results of this intervention:

• I have clean water in my house and we have safe sanitation
• I am able to save money because I am no longer having to pay hospital and medical bills every week for sick children
• In the past the water was a little distance away but it took me about 4 hours a day to collect water because the line was long, and there was often conflict at the collection point: today, because the water is in my home, my children are at school early, I am in the field on time and we are not being docked money because of being late.
• Now I am happy to live here
• I and my family will always live here, this is our home - but I want my children to get good jobs, not plucking green leaf.

Those that have been here for the past years of this work describe the transformation as miraculous, not just in the infrastructure, but in the attitudes and satisfaction of the people. "Its all about the people", says the Manager, "if the people are well and happy they work, not because they have to, but because they want to. Of course there is an economic benefit for the company, but the most important thing is the people are true citizens and they are treated with dignity."

Colombo, Puttalam, to Batticaloa

It has been a crazy but good two days. I arrived in Colombo, late because of a fog clogged Dubai, and 10 minutes after checking in was out to dinner with the Hettiararchchi family - the frantic start seems to have set the pace for the trip so far.

Arriving in Nawagaththagame (near Puttalam) on Monday afternoon we were whisked off to meet with three Permaculture project beneficiary families, but in the Sri Lanka way, it was not just the families but their community. We were welcomed onto the property by a group of children bearing gifts of Betel leaves for each of us, and after receiving the leaves the children knelt at our feet and paid their respects to elders and visitors.

In this community and the two which would follow we were introduced to families who have been trained to design and plant organic gardens, take care of cows and chickens and in a few cases bees. It is humbling to hear the stories of children who no longer attend clinics for gastric issues on a very regular basis because now they eat fresh vegetables and fruit, and they drink clean, safe water and milk, and because of the extra income available from surplus produce  they go to school, in uniform, with books and shoes and they love it!

Mum's and young women are managing their own gardens and finances. Some have bought extra cows and chickens, others are learning the art of 'value add' by turning surplus milk into yogurt and milk toffee which they sell to local traders and share with community.

They have established seed banks which together with the 'cattle banks' (the second new born calf must be given away to another member of the cooperative), means that the community is benefiting from the success of our direct beneficiaries.

And all this is good, very good, but perhaps the most powerful results are those less tangible, but more life transforming impacts: a dad who for most of his life has worked away from home now works at home 4 out of 7 days and is making enough income to begin to build a new brick house for his family - "I can watch my children grow now and I can afford to keep them healthy and in school, they have a chance now". His wife, who was trained in organic pesticide production is the village leader in plant nursery production, she teaches others how to do it, and from her own stock is helping other families establish gardens. She is a voluntary permaculture teacher - and as she talks about her work her eyes are smiling, her little 8 month old baby is obviously healthy - she is happy.

In many ways a simple intervention, but one that has produced hope, trust, community, happiness as well as food, milk, honey and income for over 4,000 families - so now phase 2 commences with another 3,800 families, in 5 new communities.

On the way back to Sri Lanka

On Saturday night I head back to Sri Lanka for three weeks working with the World Vision Lanka team.

Over the first week I will facilitate and accompany three AusAID officers who are coming to check out the work being conducted by our team with Australian Aid money. And have we got a week planned for them!

First we will head up the west coast to Puttalam district where they will meet families who as a result of a permaculture program are now growing enough produce on their own land to feed their children and pay for their schooling - and still have excess to sell, or barter. Having food and water for your family is a basic right often taken for granted, but being able to do it yourself, to be in control and to have choices - well that's living!

In the middle of the country is the beautiful hill capital of Nuwera Eliya, an oasis from the heat and humidity of the lowlands. This is tea country - if you drink Ceylon tea there is a good chance it comes from this area. But not all is green and fragrant - some of the plantations do not take good care of their, primarily Tamil, workforce. Many of these communities have no safe, clean water on tap, many have no adequate sanitation and as a result there is a high prevalence of illness. It's here that Australian money has been working to rehabilitate water sources and provide basic sanitation - but it's not just about providing services. This has been a catalyst to get government talking to estate owners and community members, and estate owners taking ownership for the conditions in which their workers live. New partnerships have been created, people are talking to each other, Tamil workers are talking to Sinhalese owners and governments - tea production is up, sickness is down - but again it's the peace building and self-determination that has transformed communities and individuals.

Across on the East coast, in an area devastated by extended war and a tsunami, Australian's have sponsored about 3,000 children and as result of that money a maternal, new-born child health program has begun to turn the devastation of malnourishment in the most vulnerable babies and train mothers how to sustain that health; pre-schoolers have gone back to school, teachers have been supported and trained; and home gardens are being established which will mean that families can support themselves and maybe generate some income.

And then, in the second and third week, the fun starts... I travel to the Northern city of Jaffna where I have the privilege of facilitating a design workshop for a new $3 Million Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) project in two communities. Another Australian Aid funded project, we will work, through local partners, to increase the adoption of improved hygiene practices and sustained equitable use of water and sanitation facilities. (More about that in the future...)

But of course, as well as working, I will pay an obligatory visit to Barefoot and Odel and I will catch up with Salvo family and friends, looking forward to that too :)

Refugees on Hunger Strike in Melbourne

The Australian Tamil Congress (ATC) is deeply concerned about the physical and mental well-being of the Tamil refugees currently on hunger-strike in Melbourne. Two men on hunger-strike were admitted to hospital yesterday, one with internal bleeding and another who is diabetic but is declining medical treatment.

"The act of indefinite detention is soul-crushing. It squeezes out any hope of a normal life and leads to severe mental health issues. It is utterly inhumane and many of these men, women and children who have already experienced trauma in their home countries do not deserve to be mentally tortured even further," said Mr. Bala Vigneswaran of the ATC.

"It is time to question one's conscience and make policies that are humane. We call on the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship and the Attorney General to act as matter of urgency to bring an amicable solution immediately for those on the hunger-strike and a just solution for all in indefinitely detention. The ATC will be ready to provide any assistance to the Department and the genuine refugees so as to avoid any further deterioration in the physical and mental well-being of these people," he added.

There are nearly 60 recognised refugees in Australia detained indefinitely following adverse security assessments by ASIO. Most of them are Tamils. There are four women and seven children among these long-term detainees. Two women have delivered children while in detention, and two women lost their husbands who were killed in the final stages of the war in the island of Sri Lanka. All their children, who are also in detention with them, are less than 10 years of age.

(Australian Tamil Council - Australia)

What has the Australian Government Promised?

In the year 2000, all the nations of the world, including Australia, came together and for the first time in history they all agreed on 8 global goals to help end poverty. These 8 goals are known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). By 2015, the MDGs aim to:

1. Halve Extreme Poverty and Hunger
2. Primary Education for All Children
3. Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women
4. Reduce Child Deaths
5. Improve Maternal Health
6. Combat HIV/AIDs, Malaria and other Diseases
7. Environmental Sustainability and Clean Water/Sanitation
8. A Global Partnership, including more and better aid

As a wealthy country, Australia has promised to help fund the MDGs and help end poverty. Along with other wealthy nations, Australia has repeatedly agreed that our ‘fair share’ is to give 0.7% of our national income towards fighting global poverty. That’s just 70 cents in every $100. Many other wealthy nations are already giving 0.7% – including the UK who have kept their aid promises despite a struggling economy. Australia has the strongest economy of all the wealthy nations, and yet the Australian Government is one of the least generous and is falling far behind on its aid promises under the MDGs.

This year is the last Australian Election before the MDGs finish in 2015. Now is the time to hold our political leaders accountable to delivering the promises they have made to the world’s poor.

 

MOVEMENT TO END POVERTY is a joint petition of the Make Poverty History and Micah Challenge coalitions. Collectively, the aid sector is aiming to get 500,000 signatures by September to demonstrate strong public support for increased aid. I encourage you to sign the petition and share it with your family and friends. Let's try and hold government to one of the promises!

When Hope Blooms again...

It is school holidays for Pavithran (7) but the little boy cannot be separated from his school books. Every morning he spends time studying and learning with a teacher – a university student – who helps him revise lessons and be prepared for the new school year.

Watching him study is a dream come true for Subhashini (25) his mother. Nothing makes her happier than to see him with his books. “My favourite subject is math,” Pavithran smiles shyly as he turns page after page covered with sums he has completed.

Growing up at the heart of war, education was not a choice for children in Kilinochchi; survival was. As the war became intense education slipped further away from them into a blurry dream. “Schooling was interrupted all the time,” says Subhashini who was in school at that time, “We all had a thirst to study and just like other children we had dreams. I wanted to become a Math teacher.”

Even with roofs damaged by shelling and bullet-holes in the walls children went to school whenever possible until the schools were too damaged to function or had to house displaced families. But there was also another reason why children in Kilinochchi stopped schooling.

They had to get married to avoid recruitment into the armed group. Subhashini (then 16) made the same choice. Subhashini could never imagine Pavithran or any child in her village would ever know education for she didn’t know if anyone would survive the brutal war. But her family survived and many others did too. Though they were broken and traumatized, they returned ‘home’ to rebuild their lives right from the beginning.

World Vision together with other organizations and the government supported their return and assisted them through the resettlement and rehabilitation, catering to their immediate needs. “World Vision provided us with goats to support livelihood recovery and I trust I will be able to get a stable income from it,” she said.

Today, the young mother of two is hopeful once again. “My only dream is to see my children have a good education and be able to achieve their dreams. Education is becoming expensive for us and it will become more difficult to afford when my two-year old also starts with preschool. I am hopeful World Vision would support my children’s education,” she beams.

“I feel very proud and happy when I go through my son’s school books,” smiles Subhashini, “I can see that he excels in Math. That was my favourite subject too.” Helping children return to school was a priority for World Vision and immediate action was taken to renovate and rebuild their damaged school buildings providing them a safe place to study once again.

While World Vision’s work in Kilinochchi is moving from relief mode to an Area Rehabilitation Programme, there will be a lot more work to help children continue schooling and catch up on the studies they missed.

Hopefully Pavithran and his brother or any child in Kilinochchi will never have a reason to give up schooling.

(World Vision Lanka Newsletter - Kathika)

Photo Voice

Ten Palestinian children from the village of Al-Walajeh, near the city of Bethlehem, were given cameras and trained to take photos which explored their village and told some of the stories of their lives.

On the occasion of International Youth Day 2013, the children shared their photos, their stories, their lives. One of these was teenager Layali who photographed one of the games children play; "Palestinian vs. Israeli army", which mimic the home invasions, arrests and violence that the children witness in the village. She also documented the weapons that the Israeli army leaves in the village and how children play with them.

(Excerpt from World Vision Jerusalem, West Bank, Gaza)

Collateral

Ten years ago (almost to the day) George and his family, (wife and 2 daughters: 12 and 15 years old) were in their car on the way to do the weekly shopping in Bethlehem. It was their day out together, Mum and Dad always made this a priority.

But, today two events that they could never have known about would conspire to make this a day the family could never forget. (Event 1) In the centre of town an ambush had been established, waiting for a target: a small car, with three suspects. As George drove into town in his small car he saw three empty military vehicles on the side of the road, but there was nothing unusual about that in this city - and certainly nothing to worry about. But, (Event 2) he wasn't to know that the car behind him was the target.

When the shooting stopped the three people in the second car were dead; George had nine bullets in him, his wife next to him had been hit with shrapnel, his 15 year old daughter had a bullet in the knee and his 12 year old daughter was dead.

I was sitting in a library dedicated to his daughter as George told his story in a voice that was laced with both passion and pride - but not hatred, not revenge, not regret! Of course he misses his little girl, and obviously he regrets her death, but he refuses to hate and blame.

George lives forgiveness. Soon after the event George and his family were contacted by the Parent's Circle - Families Forum, a grassroots organisation of bereaved Palestinian and Israelis. The family joined the group and have, for ten years, been part of the voices crying out for justice and reconciliation as a road to peace.

PCCF "is a joint Palestinian Israeli organization of over 600 families, all of whom have lost a close family member as a result of the prolonged conflict. Joint activities have shown that the reconciliation between individuals and nations is possible and it is this insight that they are trying to pass on to both sides of the conflict. Moreover, the PCFF has concluded that the process of reconciliation between nations is a prerequisite to achieving a sustainable peace. The organization thus utilizes all resources available in education, public meetings and the media, to spread these ideas."

This is a two sided story, there are tragedies on both sides - the causes and the options are complex but George finishes: "God asks us to forgive, but not to forget our rights; to live side by side - Christians, Jews and Muslims together. There is enough land for us all to live with respect for one another."

I'm Not a Dancer - Just ask my Wife and Daughter

"I'm a lover not a dancer, I'm a lover not a dancer

I'm just a little bit tired if you know what I mean.

Don't want to be in a crowd when I can be in a dream"

(Jim Steinman)

In this past week I have had the privilege of visiting some amazing places, Gaza, Jerusalem, Ramallah and Bethlehem and meeting some spectacular people. There are so many stories I could tell but one that remains etched in my hearing and memory starts with a Child Friendly Space (CFS) in Gaza. 

It takes about 1.5 hours to travel to Gaza from Jerusalem - but the contrasts between the two are numerous and stark. This is a tough place and it breeds a tough, resilient people. Amongst these are a group of a dozen young girls who have come to a CFS to learn English. Climbing the stairs to the second floor of a very basic concrete building I hear the sound of very loud Arabic music. I walk through the door to the sound of a unison Arabic greeting. Standing in four straight lines are the young girls from 12 to 16 years old in white hijab, black clothes and shy but large smiles and dancing eyes.

They sing an Arabic welcome song and then one of them comes to the front and in English announces that the visitors will now join them to sing a song. We form a circle, wondering what on earth we are in for, and they start singing, in English, and doing the actions to "If you're happy and you know it: clap your hands... stamp your feet... nod your head... turn around... shout "Allah, Allah". I join in and together we pound our fists in the air as we shout Allah.

But they thought that was it, no way - in Australia we "do all five" I say! So we lead them in a hilarious version of all five and finish laughing and dizzy together.

Back in our seats, the girls tell us that they would like to perform asong that they had learnt in English. To the accompaniment of a track from Maher Zain the sing and dance to "Freedom". With enthusiasm and passion they raise their arms and emphasis the two fingered Peace symbol as they sing this prayer for peace and freedom.

Swallowing the lump in my throat it is time to watch as the girls transition from this cry for hope to perform a traditional wedding dance. Dressed up as groom and bride, it is exciting and thrilling to watch the intricate hand movements and footwork, until one of them grabs my hand and pulls me up to join in - don't they know I'm not a dancer!

I don't dance, I have enough trouble with the waltz, (just ask my wife) let alone doing the fancy footwork of the 'groom'. But laughing at the uncoordinated white guy is a great stress relief, and after all it's all about humanitarian relief. (I am glad to say there is no photographic evidence that can ever be produced!)

I am always reminded in these visits of the reason I do what I do, and why it matters. I wish I could convey that message to you, but please know - giving hope, as intangible as you may think it is, matters, and means much to girls like these.