Displaced by Ditwah,they ‘find room in the inn’
Harrowing experience: The children being ferried to safety in boats as the flood waters rose
As Christians the world over including in disaster-gripped Sri Lanka relive the nativity at midnight on December 24th, not just its message of displacement and impoverishment but also its joy of caring and sharing ring true even after 2,025 years.
A long, long time ago, around 2,025 years ago, a decree had gone out from Roman Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. All went to their own towns, according to the Gospel of Luke. So did Joseph from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.
“……And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn!”
It was not an Emperor’s decree but nature’s fury in the form of Cyclone Ditwah that displaced thousands of men, women and children right here in this country, “with no place for them in the inn”.
While seeing their loved ones either buried under vicious landslides or being swept away by the relentless flood waters, they have been left sans, food, clothes, cash, valuable documents and a roof over their heads.
As Christmas approaches, we hear of two homes affected by flood waters, “displacing” children who have also been abandoned by society. They were in two of the seven homes and three schools lovingly run by Fr. Don Neville Coonghe (77) based in Katuneriya.
Known as ‘Ladani’ with the motto of ‘Love the Children’, this Man of God explains that some of these children who face numerous hazards in their own homes without leading carefree lives, are sent by the probation authorities (“a good number”) and by courts. There are also those taken under Ladani care, if parents, mostly single mothers or fathers cannot look after them. They are from all over the country including the tea estates.
“They don’t have a ‘real family’ and we not only shower them with love and care but also ensure that all their needs, food, clothing, education and mental well-being are provided,” says Fr. Coonghe.
This, however, was beyond the control of anyone – it was in the afternoon of November 28 (Friday), that the staff saw water collecting near the gate of the Mattakotuwa Home in Maha Wewa. It usually came from the Thoduwawe lagoon, but at other times receded without causing much trouble.
Submerged in flood waters: The Thambarawila Home
That day though, it was different. Gathering the 20 boys – ranging in age from five to 12 years – around her, the second-in-command, D.M. Achala Madushani, as the Warden was on leave, informed Fr. Coonghe of the impending danger.
By nightfall, the flood waters had risen, submerging the ground floor. Fortunately, one building had an upstair-floor and so Achala and the other staffer shepherded the boys there. They also took with them whatever stuff they could. There was no electricity and for Achala it was a sleepless night, with the tiny torch of her basic mobile phone on……“as aragena hitiya”.
Fr. Don Neville Coonghe
With morning, the spirit of caring came, as the Priest of the nearby church had sent rescuers to ferry the children in batches in two theppam (small fishing craft) to the church. The church was crowded as all those affected by the floods were also sheltering there.
After roughing out at the church, concerned Fr. Coonghe had got the boys to his base at the Ladani Institute at Katuneriya. However, as there were no lodging facilities for such a large number, the boys had been sent onto the Katuneriya Home which was not affected by flooding.
Then another unforeseen challenge cropped up with some children hit by highly-infectious chicken pox, compelling the others to be relocated at another Ladani Home at Bibiladeniya, accessed by van through athuru-parawal and kele-parawal as the roads were heavily flooded. By December 3, they were once again relocated at the Haaldanduwana Home.
Another saga was playing out at the Thambarawila Home, an old walauwwe, for 20 girls with special needs in the age range seven to around 20 years on November 29. The flood waters hit suddenly, submerging the building up to roof level and requiring emergency evacuation by boat. A daunting task.
After a day at the Waikkal church, these girls had been brought to the Ladani Institute where they spent a night before being transported by tractor to the Haaldanduwana Home.
With government instructions that whoever could be sent back home for the vacation if safe, now those left – 22 children – are being housed at the Haaldanduwana Home.
When we visit them, two boys from Mattakotuwa, seven from Thambarawila, three from Bibiladeniya and 10 from Haaldanduwana itself, are at play, without a care.
Post Ditwah at the Haaldanduwana Home: Children at play without a care. Pic by Eshan Fernando
This is while teams from the south have made their way to the flood-hit homes to give of their energy in an exhaustive clean-up programme and many people from the area are sharing food as alms with these children.
…….And on Christmas eve, all these children will throng to the Ladani Institute for midnight mass to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and to experience the love, care and concern not just of benevolent Fr. Coonghe but all staffers.
Already the gifts are wrapped and these children will experience hope and the humble but powerful message of Christmas that like Christ people do care for them. They are not alone!
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