Raman Kathiresan
Mankadu
Small Business support: Laundry

Raman is a 55 years old Hindu man who is part of the untouchable class in Sri Lanka. This resilient widower has survived the tsunami, buried his wife and several relatives, endured living in a refugee camp, overcame blood cancer and currently lives in a temporary shelter built by another NGO. Raman has been washing laundry for almost 40 years and says it is the only job that he is capable of doing and still enjoys the work.. So when he lost all of his tools in the tsunami he and his family had no way to support themselves. SP-SL provided the basic wash supplies, iron and bicycle to retrieve and deliver the laundry. As a result the entire family has entered in the enterprise and are generating a large enough income to support themselves.

This week I went to visit the family (see photo below) to learn more about his story and to honour the work that he has been doing. As per usual in these visits half the neighbourhood showed up to see the honoured guest. You see, most people will not even enter the property of someone who is part of the untouchable class. The fact that a white person came, ate and drank with them was an unparalleled honour that spoke volumes about human value and dignity. It only cost me a few hours of time to have a profound impact.

While we were there the family taught me all about their life, culture their religion (worship of a snake god) and a whole lot more. I hope that through these visits these families have an increased sense of their value and understand why SP is doing this kind of work in Sri Lanka, The possibilities and future for this young man and his family have been greatly improved because of the SP-SL Livelihood Project

Make it a great day

Things you notice when you are a married guy living on your own.

For the past month (and for the next 24 days) I have been living the life of a bachelor. In this role there a few things that have become very obvious and the following is a collection of those observations. .

I’m right a lot more of the time

I actually have closet space!?

I finally get to use half of the bed

There are a lot less hair products kicking around

I never have to stop and ask for directions (could be because I’m never lost)

I take more stupid risks

I get to talk a lot more

I eat fewer vegetables

I seem to have more money

There are a lot less “icky, creepy, scary” spiders and things that I am forced to kill

I don’t watch as many romantic comedies (Praise the lord for this alone!)

I read more nerdy books

I lose a lot more stuff

I get to have total control over the remote

I laugh less

I get mocked an awful lot less

No one asks me to talk about my feelings

Nobody recounts all the details of their nightly dreams to me

Life is not as rich

I’m at a loss for who I should torment and tickle

I seldom hear the phrase “that’s cute”

I give fewer opinions on hair do’s and fashion

I listen to more country music

Make it a great day

Religion? What is good for? Not a lot I would suggest.

But before I get into the serious stuff. Way to go RIDERS!! Yee Haaaaaw!!

Now onto other issues of state. This year I have been fortunate enough to attend Buddhist festivals, witness animistic practices, visit Hindu temples, Jada shrines, enter Buddhist monasteries and be blessed by Sadhus and cave dwelling 90 year old monks. However, I still think that religion is not worth a whole lot. I am certain that this blog may offend folks from all walks and faiths and isn't PC but let me explain.

This last week there were several key events that have left an impression on me. The first, was last Friday in the nearby militant Muslim community of Kathankudy. As we passed through the town we passed a large and fairly restive crowd. Later on in the day we discovered that the crowd was there to enforce Sharia law. A Muslim man and Tamil girl had been caught in adultery so the Tamil girl was kicked out of the community and the man was being publicly punished with 150 lashes!! Yeah that’s right. In the year 2007 people are being whipped 150 times in the public square for everyone to jeer, taunt and join in the bloodlust. I certainly do not condone adultery but how barbaric can you be? Has society not evolved a little from the days of Hammurabai? There I have offended the Muslims

Just prior to this event the local Buddhists had gathered together and the extremists (yes that is seemingly oxymoronic but true) were calling for Tamil blood to be spilled. This group of monks led a protest to suggest that the only way for peace in this country is through violence against the Tamil people. They also were inciting the Sinhalese people to violence, to take justice into their own hands, to purge the Island of Tamils and make it a pure Buddhist state. They went further to suggest that the government needed to set aside human rights to allow the state to conduct its raids and other affairs. So much for the notion of contemplative Buddhist practice. There I have offended my Buddhist friends.

On Saturday a mob of militant Hindus gathered to attack a local pastor and four church members. The pastor was hospitalized with an arm that was broken in three places and a fractured skull and the rest were stitched up and sent home. The rationale? That Christians should not be allowed to services in a church building and should not be openly practicing and expressing their beliefs. I thought Hinduism was supposed to be all accepting? And it didn’t matter what road you chose? There I have offended my Hindu friends.

What about the Christians? I probably don’t need to talk about that too much. I think we have about 2,000 years of bad history on our side where we twisted the historical teachings to fit our agendas. To suggest a few- crusades, inquisition, slavery, persecution of scientists, subjugation of women, environmental degradation, any number of wars etc. I am sure that will rile a few of my Christian friends.

So a few of my friends would suggest that this just proves their point that all religion is evil and only turns people against each other. My response; yes. Any faith radically followed to the point of fundamentalism and is only religiosity is dangerous. However, what is needed is a personal faith that actually adheres to the ancient writings. A faith that acknowledges it does not have all the answers, is not afraid to have open discussions and actually listens to opposing viewpoints. A faith that has a focus to redeem the individual, care for the poor, fight oppression, seek justice, protect the environment. Then it is not a religion it is a relationship, that's a Christ following faith. After all it was that kind of faith that brought us democracy, worker's rights, ended slavery, ignited the civil rights movement, and gave us health care and education. That is the kind of faith I want to be a part of.

Those are a few of my thoughts

Make it a great day

There are new photos up on the web album. Check out the link below. I'll put up Nepal photos soon. I promise.
A

T.Kirushnakumar
Arayampathy
Carpentry Vocational Training

Kirushnakumar is an 18 year old who has recently graduated from our carpentry vocational training center. SP-SL provided students with a six month intensive course and then gave the students the basic tools to launch their carpentry businesses. This center targeted young men who were vulnerable to forced recruitment by the various paramilitary organzations that are thriving in their village.

Kirushnakumar’s family was living along the coast in a small cajune hut (corrugated tin & coconut leaves) that was destroyed by the 2004 tsunami. Since then they have been living in a local refugee camp.

Upon completing this carpentry course this enterprising young man has found full time work as a carpenter. He now carries the heavy burden of supporting his entire family. Kirushnakumar is providing for his aging parents and four siblings. In addition to physically caring for his deaf brother and three physically and mentally handicapped sisters he now supports them financially. Prior to completing this course the future for this entire family was bleak. This recent graduate now talks glowingly about the future and the respect he has garnered in the community. The possibilities and future for this young man and his family have been greatly improved because of the SP-SL Livelihood Project

GO RIDERS!!

Make it a great day

Green is the colour, Football is the game

We're all together and winning is our aim
So cheer our song through the sun and rain
Saskatchewan Roughriders is our name.

There are more lyrics but this is usually all that the beer swilling fans can usually recall and yodel at Taylor Field.

I have been cheering for these guys since I was a kid. I cheered for them during the eight years in a row we missed the playoffs and could only win a couple games a year. I also cheered for them when all you had to do to make to the playoffs was play Sask three times a year and the year I am out of the country they have there best record since 1970? I am not sure if I am the jinx or Jonah or what. Needless to say I have thoroughly been enjoying listening to the games online. Albeit at 3:00 in the morning.

We all know the Riders are Canada’s team and deep down we all cheer for them. So in the spirit of all things green I thought I would initiate what is bound to come, poking fun at those of us from the holy land. So I thought I would warm you up with a couple.

1. You know the toothbrush was invented in Sask, other wise it would have been called a teeth brush.

2. You know you are from Saskatchewan when you get down to the herbicide jingles on the radio

3. You know you are from Saskatchewan when you can sort your clothes into three piles – 1. Green 2. White 3. Green and white

4. You know you are from Sask when you get married three times and you still have the same inlaws

5. You know you are from Sask if you climb the highest hill around (local garbage dump) for a romantic view of the sunset

So here is your forum to make fun of all things Sask and post all of your comments and lets see who is the most creative.

Make it a Green Day .

The people that you meet as your walking down the street, the people in your neighbourhood. Every Friday from now until Christmas I plan to post the story of one of the people that we have been able to provide a livelihood to. Hopefully it will give you insight into what we and you’ll appreciate the story that each person has. This week’s installment is Kanagasingam. He really is one of my favourite beneficiaries. He always has this massive smile and an awesome beard! Very similar to mine.

Kanagasingam

Thiraimadu

Small business support: Tea shop

Kanagasingam is a 60 year old fireball of a man. This Hindu man and his family were in Navalady when the 20 04 tsunami struck. The town that this family man lived in was entirely wiped out by the tsunami and as he recounts the tale it as though it happened yesterday. Just prior to the tsunami he had a sense to take the family to the temple and so they were all gathered together. Then as they were about to leave they saw the wave coming and he rushed his family and about 40 community members up to the second floor of his house. This modern day Noah recounts how the 30 foot waves came crashing towards the house but parted like the sea around his home and thus spared the 40 people harbouring there. He and the people on that second floor saw this as divine intervention. Since the tsunami he has been living in a temporary shelter at a nearby IDP camp. From within the camp this man operated a small but renowned tea shop. SP-SL has come along side and provided this family with the basic supplies to maximize his shop. From the shelter materials he has rebuilt his shop and SP-SL has come along and rebuilt his hope. This tremendous entrepreneur has also agreed to provide some business mentorship to some needy widows in the area so they can also start a tea shop. The possibilities and future for this man and his family have been greatly improved because of the SP-SL Livelihood Project

Make it a great day

(Kanagasingam's family and the Livelihood team)

Teachable Moments

I really am a teacher through and through and much of development work is teaching in an informal setting. I have been teaching my staff some essential (because I use them) English words or expressions. So I have taught them essential terms like schmoozing, weird, sustainable, authentic, butthead “Do you have ants in your pants?” , Saskatchewan, sounds good and a few other oddities.

So there comes key moments in teaching where the moment is ripe, perfect for a lesson or idea to be taught which must be seized and yesterday was such a day. All of the guys were over at the house and finishing lunch when one of the guys was just kind of laying on the couch. This position of vulnerability was the perfect moment to teach the quintessential word --- DOGPILE!! SO I quietly explained it and then all the team put the newly learned word into action.

(sorry no actual photo since I was in the middle of the pile)

The laughing and giggling at this new found wisdom was almost exactly what you would expect from a Junior high kid. Since then they have really put their learning into practice and have availed themselves of every possible opportunity. (So great to see people being excited by learning.) Of course, every dogpile is followed by gails of laughter, giggling. and animated commentary. .

For those of you not so well versed in the ways of Jr. High Ed you really should try out a dogpile with your group of friends. Grandma Brooks has been trying to get all the gals at the assisted care center to try it out and they seem to having a hoot.

Make it a Pile of a day

Scott

Saturday November 10th, I (Alanna) will be at the Safeway Starbucks at Crowfoot between 7 and whenever Safeway closes. If you are free, come by and say hi. I know this is last minute notice but I hope to see some of you then. I will be gone to Lloydminster the next week but will be back in Calgary around the 19th.

Cheers
Alanna

How far will $10 get you?

The other day I arrived back in Sri Lanka and only had about a 1000 Rps or a little less than ten bucks to get me through the next couple of days. There was absolutely no food left here so I did a little pre shopping planning and was able to purchase the necessities to feed and groom myself for a few days. It really is remarkable what you can get for 10 bucks. As you can see I only purchased the absolute essentials.

Latte 100 (Better than Starbuck’s)

Lunch Packet 150 ( 2 Kg of rice, chicken and curry)

Coke 40

Pasta & Sauce 85

Croissants 170

Toothebrush 60

1L ice cream 160

Pirated DVD 220

TOTAL 995 Rupees

Not a bad day of shopping I would say. I think I am in for a rude awakening when I return home.

Make it a great day

Scott

HOME...
It's good to be in Canada, though now of course I'm freezing! The flights were fine and safe and we arrived in Calgary to be met by friends and family so I feel loved! I'm in Lethbridge now and Scott is safely back in Sri Lanka. You'll be getting post from both sides of the world now so we'll try to coordinate our stories so your faith in this blog is not shaken!

It is good to be home, I actually cried when I saw the Rockies from the plane, who knew you could miss inanimate chunks of rock?? Anyways, I'm feeling a little groggy and non creative so I'll leave off here but look forward to getting together with folks soon. I'll have a couple of coffee house nights sometime soon.

Later
Alanna

Singapore...

Hi! Here I am in Singapore (on a keyboard that doesn't randomly add 'a' s and 's' s to words...!) The Nepal Airlines flight was, surprisingly efficient and on time. So we're relieved at that and glad to be flying Singapore Air. Let me tell you, Air Canada could take some lessons! We're waiting for the gate to be announced and then will be sitting still for a very long time!

Scott is boarding a flight later today back to Colombo so I am sad to be leaving him but excited to be coming home! We'll be posting from the opposite sides of the world for awhile now so we'll try to coordinate our stories so your faith in our storytelling will not be shaken.

When we flew over from Canada last October, we lost a day of time on the way, we've been wondering all year where that Thursday went, and I think I'm about to gain it back! We leave Singapore at 9:50 Singapore time and arrive in Calgary around 4:30 Calgary time...on the same day! Air travel still gets me, and especially across the international date line!

Gotta run, I guess they're boarding! See you all soon!
A

Hey there;

We have succesfullya completed all of our trekking and tonight is our last night in Nepal. Our treks were wonderful and we will post more about that and photos later. We are all busily trying to fit all of our purchases from Sri Lanka, India, and Nepal into a space that could probably only hold the purchases from one of those countries. So we will have so see how heavy the bags. I really will feel bad watching alanna carrying all of our heavy gifts!

Tomorrow or your today we fly out on Royal Nepal Airline Corp or as all of the locals refer to it as Really Nervewracking Always Cancelled. Really quite assuring. Every single person who hears that we are flying out with RNAC looks at us in horror, starts laughing and shoots up a quick prayer for us. . Whay you might ask?

Well for starters all of their splanes are in disrepair and so they are down to only one plane that flies back and forth to Bankok, In an attempt to fix the situation the airline conducted a special ceremony and had a goat slain on the runway in an attempt to appease the ariplane gods. This failed to awork aand so a week later they did the whole thing all over again. Perhaps a yak, or yeti will be next. Needless to say stories such as these do not inspire the greatest of confidence.

Hopefully you will hear back from us that things went well.

Flying on a wing and a prayer