Becoming a change maker
View(s):This avurudu holidays I had the privilege of going to an area I had wanted to go for some time. It’s the Wilpattu national park. I was always fascinated by how the culture and social norms in our country vary so much in rural areas even though we are such a tiny country. A person can travel to practically any extreme of the country within a matter of hours but there is a massive gap when it comes to living conditions, morals, values and thinking patterns.
In contrast I would say people living in those areas are relatively more hospitable, simple and honest folk compared to city dwellers. They value family ties and are fiercely loyal to their fellow villagers. Even though there are development initiatives underway in the rural areas to provide infrastructure development, educational facilities and utilities after the war it will take decades for them to realize that the way forward is to get out of their comfort zone and change their thinking patterns.
A high rate of prostitution can still be seen in those areas and what’s surprising is that it is not much of a social taboo. Young kids of schooling ages can still be seen working jobs leading nowhere. The young generation is not the least bit aware of what’s happening in the world, what’s happening in the country and are not guided and educated properly. The answer is educating them. Making them realize the potential that they have, making them realise the change they can make in this country, to make them think outside the box.
The difference between people who are paid to make a change and people who want to make a change is purely in the heart. The genuine love and compassion that bursts forth to drive people to change the world guarantees results, because the cause is just and the intention is pure. The future of this country is not only in the hands of the minority dwelling in the cities, it is also in the hands of our brothers and sisters everywhere in our island. So little by little let’s focus our attention in those areas as well, on any way we can help change their lives. If you can make a change, join hands, volunteer in any way you can, to make the country and in the long run the world a better place for our future generations.
This article was written by a Stitch volunteer. For more information visit ww.stitchmovement.com or find us on Facebook or Twitter (ID: StitchMovement)