Sixteen (16) year old Philipinthas is from Vettilaikerny area. He is in Grade 10 and is studying at Kopay Mahavidiyalayam (school). Since 2005, Philipinthas has received support from the Children’s programme of Caritas Jaffna – HUDEC.
Vettilaikerny was badly affected by the Tsunami of 2004. “My family is from Vettilaikerny area and it was badly affected by the Tsunami,” says Philpinthas.
Philipinthas and his sister were sent to a children’s home as his parents were unable to support him and his sister and look after their day to day needs. “As my family found it difficult to bring up my sister and I, they left us in a children’s home so that we would be looked after well. My sister was sent to a children’s home in Mirusuvil, Mugamalai area and I am staying in the Pasachcholai children’s home,” said Philipinthas. My parents still live in Vettilaikerny, Vanni.
During this time the conflict situation in the North and East recommenced. “The conflict situation in the North and East restarted on the 11th of August, 2006 in the Mugamalai area. I was very anxious and panicked as I had not heard any news about my sister who was in a children’s home in Mirusuvil. I was worried and scared that something had happened to my sister. I was mentally disturbed and could not concentrate on anything. I had no method of communication to get to know where my sister was, and what had happened to her. The caregivers had a difficult time in consoling me,”says Philipinthas.
However, Philipinthas heard some good news after four days of heavy fighting in the area, from Ajanthan, The Childrens’s Programme Coordinator of Caritas Jaffna – HUDEC. “On the fourth day Ajanthan anna(brother) and Pathma Aunty informed me that my sister was safe and that arrangements were made to transfer the children from Mirusuvil to a safer place at Uduvil. I was very happy about this decision because I knew I would be able to see my sister,” says Philipinthas. “Later Ajanthan anna made arrangement to meet my sister at Uduvil at the new location. It was one of the most unforgettable experiences for me when I met my sister. We were so happy to see each other and talked about our experiences during the battle at Mirusuvil area and shared our feelings with each other.
Although Philipinthas was relieved to find his sister, he still thinks about his parents. “Still, I do not have peace of mind. I think about my parents in Vanni and about the suffering they have to undergo due to Shelling and aerial attacks. As the A9 road was closed all communications came to a stand still and so, I could not keep any contact with my parents but after some time, I succeeded in contacting them. In January this year my parents were able to come to Jaffna and meet my sister and me. Now I live a happy life, reunited with my family once again with the assistance provided by Caritas – Hudec and Ajanthan anna,” says Philipinthas.
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