SRI LANKA: BEAUTY AND DIFFERENCE

RACHEL GALEA

Rachel Galea has just returned home following the early completion of the ACMICA-CSR cross-cultural exchange project. She reflects upon her experiences in Sri Lanka.

Upon my return home, I find it an awkward task to sit at my computer and attempt to write a final reflection. After such an enriching, challenging and life altering experience, thoughts roam around in my mind bombarding each other, fond and unsettling memories superimposed, while vivid images of playful children reside in my heart.

My experiences in Sri Lanka were diverse and plentiful. From teaching young children the English alphabet to planting trees and picking chilli. I had many opportunities to see what the country's landscape had to offer as well as many cultural events which enabled me to gain a great insight and appreciation of a culture which embraces harmony, difference and humility. I had the misfortune of seeing the devastation that a brutal violent conflict inflicts upon the soul of a people and upon the natural beauty of a spectacular land. I chatted with Army soldiers and Tamil Tiger loyalists. I tried to understand what the 19 year civil war solved. Some things may never be understood and many questions will never be answered. Living with a very poor family and their extended family of 40 children, I came to see the human spirit plough through on-going hardships. Hardships which I toiled with on a day-to-day basis. I saw the face of Christ light up as children laughed. The fight for justice is alive and kicking in Sri Lanka, I had many privileges to stand in solidarity with grassroots movements involved in the struggle for social justice particularly in the Free Trade Zone and in varying community development projects in many different communities.

I learned many valuable lessons from the people of Sri Lanka, particularly from the children. The children showed me that hope is the virtue which holds together the struggle for an alternatively just society. The children reminded me that laughter rekindles an essential childlike component to our being. The children revealed a spirituality that embraces diversity, difference and a love of Christ which was inspirational. The children demonstrated an ability to love unconditionally and restrain from judgement.

I wish to thank again everyone who supported this initiative by financial contributions and continued moral support whilst I was in Sri Lanka. Particularly I wish to extend my thanks to Fr. Tissa Balasuriya and CSR for their extended hospitality during my stay. I would be more than happy to have a more detailed chat with anyone who wishes to know more about the project in Sri Lanka.

Rachel Galea
April 2003