The situation of the people trapped in the Vanni Region of Sri Lanka, caught in the crossfire, and then herded into displacement camps in and around Vavuniya (central Sri Lanka), has been very much in the news over the past weeks.
Introduction
The situation of the people trapped in the Vanni Region of Sri Lanka, caught in the crossfire, and then herded into displacement camps in and around Vavuniya (central Sri Lanka), has been very much in the news over the past weeks.
Here we share with you an extract from a letter written to Sr. Yolande(Holy Family Provincial, Jaffna)by Sr. Theophane Croos, who had volunteered to help at the Government hospital in Vavuniya that was struggling to cope with the number of patients from the Displacement Camps struck down by chickenpox, and isolated in one hospital.
Government Hospital, Poovarasankulam, Vavuniya
28.03.2009
After two weeks I am happy to write you my experiences in a few words. From the time I left Colombo on the 13th March I have been very happy to do something for our people. I have experienced God’s help and support in each incident and even in small events.
On the March 14 I received permission to go to Poovarasankulam Hospital, where they were dealing with a chickenpox epidemic among the displaced people. On March 16 we started to journey with our struggling people. They are from all camps. Even small babies have been infected. The small ones come and hold our hands. The men and women come very close to say or to ask something privately. They cannot clean their place. So we do the outside cleaning in the morning. Sometimes they feel sorry for us. But we happily advise them. Some who are bystanders come and help in the cleaning. Mostly we Sisters do it. Two Good Shepherds Sisters (Sinhalese) and two Holy Cross Sisters were there with me. The Holy Cross Sisters sometimes went to their community, and we stayed with the Good Shepherd Sisters in their convent. After few days a couple happily offered their house to us for 3 months. Sr. Concepta – Our Sister Regina’s sister, helped us to find this couple and their house. I was so happy to see their willingness and generosity to offer their house with a big garden without any conditions. We cleaned it up with the help of the boarders from the Good Shepherd convent. CARITAS provided some money for our food expenses. On 17th evening we arranged things and prepared noodles for the night. Three Apostolic CarmelitesSisters joined us in the new house on the first day itself. We were six, and the next week one Holy Cross Sister stayed with us. Three Salvatorian Sisters visited with two young Sisters. Now we are eight here in this house and two Holy Cross Sisters come from another place to work. Now there are more to share the housekeeping chores. We try to cook for noon and with one family’s help we manage morning and night.
We go to the hospital at 8.a.m and come home after 12 or 12.30, usually under a scorching sun. Again we leave the house at 4.30 /5.00pm and come back8.30 or 9.00. We take it in turns to stay in twos from7.30-10.30 p.m. At the beginning we found it tiring but now we are used to it. Our Intercongregational community was visited by the Jesuit Refugee Services Director and two SJ priests. One priest came with a group of people and offered 25,000/- for the people. Valvothayam (Mannar) and JRS are providing things to be distributed to them. We share them according to the needs.
Two weeks ago the number of the patients was 1,200. This week it is nearly 700. Hopefully by the end of April it may go down. Nowadays the patients are coming from Omanthai- straight from the Vanni area. Each one has his/her own story – pathetic stories to relate. They are coming in terrible conditions. As they share, they have to deal with very difficult feelings. Some say “It is a miracle that I am alive.” Most of them said that half of the people who came with them had died “but God protected and saved us!”
We bring all of these stories to our prayer. The feeling of helplessness is very strong. The Government workers are so depressed. We also keep them in our prayers. Some worry about the past, and some worry about the future; others are worrying about their dear ones who are still inside Vanni. It is very hard to hear their stories. It is very painful to see them crying and begging. But God helps me to be a courageous woman to be with them, and to listen to their pain. I am very glad to be here; I am keeping well and am happy to carry out this ministry. Thank you very much for allowing me to share my love with the least, for giving me this great and wonderful opportunity to be with our broken-hearted people.. I am so grateful to you dear Sisters.
