Baptist agency continues ministry to Sri Lanka’s orphans

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Four years ago, a monster tsunami decimated the small island of Sri Lanka. About 225,000 died in the storm. Thousands of children became orphans within seconds.

When the orphanages quickly filled up, the Sri Lankan government called on Children’s Emergency Relief International, the overseas division of Baptist Child & Family Services, to establish the country’s first foster care system.

CERI brought in counselors to help begin the healing process. With a few crayons and blank sheets of paper, children began drawing out graphic images of their fear and pain.

“Each had the same memories of massive waves rushing toward them without warning, taking away everything they had ever known,” said Marla Rushing, who set up the foster care system. “It was heartbreaking.”

To learn more about how to support CERI’s efforts by sponsoring a child in Sri Lanka, visit www.CeriKids.org or phone (281) 360-3702.

In the months following the tsunami, CERI found more permanent homes for the children in their care. Some went to family members’ homes, and others went to live with new families. Each household received training in how to care for a child and a small stipend to help with expenses.

“A third of the children still live without electricity, and less than half sleep in a bed. Yet a home is a home, and for the children of Sri Lanka, their CERI case worker is a familiar face that brings comfort in the midst of insecurity,” said Basil Fonseka, national director of CERI in Sri Lanka.

Today, years after the waters receded, a different disaster is gripping Sri Lanka, observers note. A civil war is leaving more children without parents. Daily reports appear of battlefield casualties and bombings. Teenagers disappear, and reports filter back to their villages that they are now part of the “children’s army” involved in fighting government troops.

While the government has asked many nongovernmental organizations to halt operations due to the ever-increasing danger, CERI has committed to stay.

“The CERI staff is at risk in Sri Lanka—just like everyone else. They pray and fast daily for God’s protection so that they may finish the work God has called them to do,” CERI Executive Director Dearing Garner said.


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To learn more about how to support CERI’s efforts by sponsoring a child in Sri Lanka, visit www.CeriKids.org or phone (281) 360-3702.

 


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