Tsunami Children Receive Hugs, Hope Part I

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Since the tsunami swept through much of Sri Lanka last December, many of the surviving families have been living in refugee camps like this one near Colombo.
To meet the needs of thousands of tsunami-affected children GFA World has established Bridge of Hope Centers next to the refugee camps.
More than 150 children attend the Colombo Bridge of Hope center each day.
Devathusyanthini S. ("Dushy" or "Polar Bear") is the project manager in charge of the Colombo Bridge of Hope center. Her love and selfless care for the children are resulting in many changed lives.
Giving Supun Viraj, 8, one of her famous bear hugs, Dushy explains, "The source of my great love for the children at my center is Jesus Christ."
Dushy is so successful at opening the hearts of the children that she is now training ladies who will soon manage new Bridge of Hope centers in other areas of Sri Lanka.
The teachers have a great love for the students and relate to them on a personal basis, sharing both laughter and tears with them.
This gives the teachers many opportunities to share and practice God's love in the lives of the children.
At GFA's Bridge of Hope centers, the students are divided into classes according to age to complete their schoolwork. And like students everywhere, they like to clown around in front of a camera.
Asitha Nirosh Perera has made a huge turn-around in his life thanks to the love and care he has received from Dushy and the other teachers.
Instead of running around with the bad crowd, Asitha is helping at the Bridge of Hope center and is being mentored by Dushy to help lead the younger students.
Most days at the opening assembly, Asitha does the Bible reading and tells a story.
And not only has his behavior dramatically improved, but his studies have as well. He is now at the top of his class in school.
Asitha's father lost his fishing business to the tsunami and now does whatever odd jobs he can find. Asitha's mother no longer worries about him sneaking out late at night and hanging around the wrong crowd. She is very happy with the changes that have taken place in her son's life due to the Bridge of Hope center. The family lives at the refugee camp next to the Bridge of Hope center.
Asitha's mother no longer worries about him sneaking out late at night and hanging around the wrong crowd. She is very happy with the changes that have taken place in her son's life due to the Bridge of Hope center.
posted 08/30/2005