Page 88 - Hemas_Piyawara_Book
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There were major challenges when a huge Menik Farm was swarming with unwelcome neela masso (huge flies) drawn by the
crowd descended on Menik Farm. We stench of excreta being all over the place and not in the toilets.
had to provide food, shelter, sanitation Army personnel were performing a commendable humanitarian service in difficult
conditions. They were cooking and, even in some cases, feeding the IDPs. They were
and security to 325,000 people. Among bathing them and urging them to brush their teeth, as their oral health was non-
existent. They were also tending to their wounds including infectious scabies.
those who were accommodated at Menik Brigadier Indunil Silva who was in charge of Menik Farm was not only seeking supplies
Farm, there were very small children and of crutches and wheelchairs but also toothpaste which many take for granted in
very old people. There were the disabled, towns……..and the Hemas Group responded without hesitation.
some without limbs and some who were Lorry-loads of crutches (over 100), wheelchairs (over 50), soap and toothpaste as well
as lots of toys, used and hardly used, were sent to Menik Farm by the Hemas Group,
paralyzed. There was a boy of about 12 donated by the company and the staff, with no marketing or branding to get publicity
who had no legs who had to be carried all crossing the minds of the management.
the while by his brother or his father. Conscious of the need for a hearts-and-minds operation on the part of the army which
the LTTE had portrayed as enemies of the Tamil people, the Hemas Group provided
The Hemas Group volunteered to help the the toys, crutches, wheelchairs, soap and toothpaste for the soldiers to distribute so
that rapport and confidence could be built between the army and the people. A single
army which was managing Menik Farm toy would get dozens of tiny outstretched hands.
which had around 20 mini-zones covering Next, the Hemas Group set about identifying a location for a temporary preschool and
a large area from Chettikulam in Vavuniya also a contractor to build a basic wattle-and-daub structure topped by a takarang roof.
But the quote was a very high Rs. 600,000 and it was then that the army came forward
to Parayanakulam in Mannar. with a Rs. 100,000 figure.
Unlike some others, the Hemas Group did This was as Jayantha, in coordination with the Northern Province’s Ministry of
Education, mobilized preschool and other teachers within Menik Farm who themselves
not try to earn money out of the suffering were IDPs and launched a training programme.
of the people. It provided crutches and Within a month everything had fallen into place, with colourful swings, mat slides
other medical devices and also set up and a small merry-go-round adorning a sellam midula in Menik Farm, beckoning the
traumatized children.
preschools within Menik Farm.
Brigadier Indunil Silva
Then in charge of Menik Farm
80 Hemas Piyawara - A Journey to the Future
