Tuesday, August 17, 2010

SITHAMU - Our Experiences!

As a member of Java Force I also got an opportunity to participate in SITHAMU program and here are my true feelings about that:-

When I heard about this program and was asked to meet them I got little bit nervous as I had never got a close connection with any of Tamils before. I had already visited Jaffna before but didn’t get any chance to meet or talk with anyone except army personnel. Before we meet them Mr.Dilanthe Withanage had given a priceless lecture about unity, how to be with them, how to respect them and their culture. I wish all the people realize that being divided is a foolishness.

At first we met them at Maha Bodhi organization and there was some kind of occasion to launch that program. Many of noble people including Minister of National Languages & Social Integration (S. B. Navinna) had participated for that occasion. After that meeting Java Force and they were asked to talk with each other. It was little bit complicated as none of us couldn’t understand Tamil and none of them couldn’t understand Sinhala. But we were able to communicate with each other because our hearts are opened. Later on we didn’t find any difficulties to communicate. They were ready to be friends with us and we became friends quickly because we didn’t show them our good faces but our good hearts!!!!

Later on with the progress of SITHAMU program Minister S. B. Navinna agreed to give government assistance too. It was good news to all of us and we met again on 12th August at Victoria Park. Java Force and they were divided in to several groups and asked to join with them in groups. So in my group it included 3 other members of Java Force and other 4 in their group. Selomia, Amudani, Jensi and Gajendran were their names and all of them were around in their twenties. Gajendran became friendly with me quickly and he was very keen to teach me Tamil words. He didn’t know to speak Sinhala at all before he arrived to Colombo but within 3 days he was able to manage in Sinhala. I also taught him many Sinhala words and he told me if he would be here for three months he will speak in Sinhala fluently. I was so happy about that. We did several games like singing, dancing and also we got an accidental chance to join a musical show at Victoria Park.

In our conversation we identified the problems we have; and we found that all of us have same problems like unemployment, unclear future, fewer opportunities, dreams of luxurious life etc. and nothing else. We didn’t find any problem in communication or in language or in culture. It was just a fun to get to know both languages. They have same dreams that we have and same needs.

Most of Java Force members have invited them to their homes and they also had made that invitation. Anyway our next objective is to teach them IT and Computer Science and nowadays our Java Force members are doing that at IJTS premises. All the lessons are conducted in 100% practical environment and we enjoy teaching very much. It seems that they are also enjoying it and we saw their enthusiasm in their faces when getting that knowledge. Most of them have not even touched a computer before but they were able to catch it very quickly because they are so interested about that and now they have already covered the Basic of Windows and MS Office package. We should state here and appreciate the sacrifices of Java Force members as they contribute their time, money, knowledge and tiredness for the good sake of our Tamil brothers without any kind of charge. And again a special thanks to Dr.Ishantha Siribaddana for providing us all facilities including his fully facilitated computer labs and another special thanks to Mr.Dilanthe Withanage for giving such a precious chance to us. We have planned few other events like a trip, cricket match, paduru party, few other tours and many other events to enjoy with them within this period.

Society is unity in diversity!!!!!!

Written by

Monthila Gurusinghe

(Colonel in Java Force)

(House Leader – Juventa)

(Head of MicroXerox)

IJTS - Batch No: 27


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