Page 14 - Hemas_Piyawara_Book
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What they saw were ‘preschools’ in name but takarang (tin) sheds in reality
by the roadside; ‘cottage industries’ with dingy rooms close to the kitchens in
houses; and sheds (madu) which doubled up as a school in the morning and
sheltered cattle at night, all sans basic sanitary facilities such as toilets, with the
little ones going into the bushes whenever the need arose.
One preschool, in fact, was in a cemetery, with classes cancelled when there was a
funeral!
The needs were obvious – dedicated child-friendly buildings and essentially teacher
training, for that too was minimal.
Going up north to Jaffna for it was peacetime, the Hemas team found that the preschool
there was in a majang (grease) covered garage, where 90 children came to be guided
in their first steps.
The trip there was no cakewalk – south of Omanthai was controlled by the security
forces, while north of Omanthai was under the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
(LTTE). The soldiers at the Muhamalai exit checkpoint were aghast [with thoughts
Ms. Shiromi Masakorala lighting the traditional oil lamp at the launch of Piyawara (above). Tiny tots such as pissuda (insane) crossing their minds] that two women and a driver were
showing off their talents at the function (below). heading where many would fear to tread.
Having crossed no man’s land, all those who wished to continue on were required to
pay two rupees at the LTTE checkpoint, but the Hemas team were not willing to do so,
as they were headed north to carry out a service for the children there.
“No English, you speak Tamil,” demanded the LTTE member sporting a walrus-like
moustache who was in charge of the checkpoint and the arguments went back and
forth. Six hours they were held there, but they had stood their ground that they were
not politicians and were only interested in the welfare of children, until the LTTE
official relented. Probably, he forked out the 2 rupees!
The 2 women and driver from the Hemas Group bent on breaking barriers in line with
their company’s thinking then went on their way. The roads were scarred with ruts and
craters, not having seen tarring for a long time and slow like a snail the vehicle moved
on. Not for long, with the LTTE’s Traffic Police appearing, brooking no argument,
clamping a fine of Rs. 1,500 for “speeding”.
Everywhere the Hemas members went, be it to the Jaffna Municipal Council (MC)
where officials welcomed them warmly and promised that they would give them
6 Hemas Piyawara - A Journey to the Future
