As we all watched in "shock-and-awe" the terrible natural catastrophe on December 26, 2004 unfolding in South East Asia, the long term devastations of the Tsunami is only now starting to emerge. The lives lost will never be known but only through mathematical estimations. As time passes, homes and businesses can be re-built, vehicles and roads could be fixed and even breath-taking sceneries can be cultivated. However, the lives of children lost and those that have been left orphaned is something we can never get back nor rebuild. In Sri Lanka alone it is estimated that over 12,000 children have died and countless more left orphaned.
It is the children, who have and will suffer the most, and we the able should help the young and innocent in whatever way we can. It is our duty. "Children are our future" and by helping them, we help secure a bright and prosperous tomorrow, in this global community we all call home. Much like the "Phoenix", out of every hardship and adversity comes new hope, prosperity and fresh beginnings. An effect we see unfold globally with the outpouring of help, a true testament to mankind. Never before has the world come together to help each other out as one in such a large scale. As a result of all these, a number of individuals, communities, governments and charitable organizations are doing a great job by helping those in need. However, our focus should not dwindle as time passes and other events unfold. We must continue to "Focus On The Goal" - which should always be the "Tsunami Children".
Many of us have also watched eminent documentaries on CNN, BBS and on many other local networks on the plight of these children, many of whom have still not spoken since that dreadful day. A number of you would have also heard of the atrocities of kidnappings, torture, sexual abuse and other ill fated events that some of these innocent and vulnerable children have to further undergo. Agencies such as the UNICEF, Red Cross, Save The Children, World Vision and countless others are doing a remarkable job by working diligently to protect as many children as possible. If we as a global community fail to act swiftly and sustain this help over a long period of time, these circumstances could also become breeding grounds for recruiters that are of the criminal nature. The "Good verses evil" qualities in human beings will always be there and it is our responsibility as a global community to help mold these children to become the positive leaders and role models of tomorrow. We have to show them compassion and kindness and give them hope for a new beginning. We must make sure that the children effected never be made to feel guilty as to the loss of their parents, siblings or family members were in anyway, shape or form was due to faults of their own. They did nothing to deserve this ... to have taken away everything they ever had and loved, so violently!
At present, with so much help and support given through a variety of relief programs, large sums of monetary funds are also being collected. However, as usual, we also realize that not a 100% of such aid donated actually reach its intended targets. Sometimes it is due to administrative costs or mismanagement of funds but at times it is also due to corrupt individuals on all sides of the border making themselves available to a portion of the charity pool. As a result, our aim and goal of all funds collected via this site is to help the children affected, in whatever small way, amongst the three most affected countries. Sri Lanka & Indonesia each to receive 40% and India and region to receive 20%. The goal is to contact individuals and/or any organizations working in these regions directly and in overseeing that every penny reaches its intended target and is being spent effectively. The funds would also be donated to international organizations it need be, but at the local level. On my visit to Sri Lanka I will be establishing contacts to full-fill the above mission.
When we look at satellite imagery of earth we see our planet as one. Though one cannot justify nor comprehend this tragedy, this event has helped bring about the world to its humble beginnings and core principles of humanity - in a positive light. This is what we need to focus on and must continue to carry this momentum forward. Though it is disheartening at times when we think of the old clich� which say "that everything happens for a reason and purpose", we must not ever let "our hopes" dwindle. Of all what we have witnessed, the most positive and humble results of this great destruction is the very heartwarming gestures of people of all countries, religions, race, age, sex and even individuals of warring faction, joining hands and being united in a common cause - helping one another. This is a challenge that we are all facing together and without question re-enforcing to all "that every dark cloud indeed has a silver lining!" My hope is that we would be able to help raise and/or make aware of other charities that are also actively helping these children. You do not have to donate any funds to this account, but I hope that you find the attached links useful in your quest to do whatever is possible by you, physically, monetarily, or even a small prayer/thought for the children that have lost everything.
Please read the FAQ section on this site if you have any further questions and concerns. Thank you and God bless!
