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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2015-11-04, Page 66 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, November 4, 2015 Tuckersmith Township local aids Sri Lankans battling poverty Shaun Gregory Huron Expositor At first sight the mud hut woven with sticks and twigs appears to be a place where goats or oxen might call home, but that is not the case, this is a someone's house. These types of homes in Sri Lanka are similar to most in the nation, which are con- structed in a way not well- known to North Americans. The main building compo- nents are what's identified as wattle and daub, a material usually assembled with a mixture of clays, plant fibers, and sometimes even cow dung. Long-time Tucker - smith Township resident Chris Hills said the woman who owned the dwelling was "absolutely overjoyed" and proud to show the guests her lodging. "She was excited at her new house, as you and I would, if we got a new duplex in a sub- division down the road'; said You talk to them in the parent interview, you ask them about the bed kit, you ask silly questions, is it useful? They look at you, yeah even the bag it comes in," — enlightened Hills. Hills, who is from the organi- zation called Sleeping Chil- dren Around the World. The Canadian non-profit organization specializes in the donation of beds and since 1970 when the charity first touched ground, they've raised over $23 million to arrange bed kits for children in 33 countries. In 2009 they achieved the goal of providing a bed to a million children. Hills has been connected to the charity since the early 80's and this visit marked his sec- ond time travelling to Sri Lanka. He touched down on September 23 and left Octo- ber 11, an arrival and depar- ture that is an "extremely emotional" time for the vet- eran volunteer. From the first time travelling, which he refers to as "parachuting" to the developing country, it didn't seem as bad as he had heard. "There was these gorgeous dressed Sri Lankan women, I wasn't sure what I was seeing, I said to the one of the volun- teers, I've got pictures of women in (beautiful) sarees. It (will) be difficult to go back Canada and say that these ea orthhuronex ' ositor.co A young Sri Lankan girl opens up her bed kit that was donated by the Sleeping Children Around The World charity. people are penniless," Hills stated in an interview at the Expositor office. What the unpaid helper was not aware of is that this vibrant ethnic clothing was not theirs, the volunteer told Hills that these items are bor- rowed because they knew the offerings group was coming. The volunteer explained, "what (we are) doing here is bigger than any birthday, wedding or any Christmas and what there are wearing is from friends, relatives. You'll see them tomorrow, they won't be wearing that." Before each family is given the $35 bed kit an interview process is required for each donee. This is essential for the perspective in case a modifi- cation is needed. After the meeting is done the children and parents are smiling ear to ear, said Hills. "You talk to them in the parent interview, you ask them about the bed kit, you ask silly questions, is it useful? They look at you, yeah even the bag it comes in," enlight- ened Hills. The gear usually included a plastic mat to keep the A girl from Sri Lanka smiles after receiving her bed kit. Contributed Chris and Gail Hills, long-term residents of Tuckersmith Township display the bed kits from the Sleeping Children Around The World organization. The couple has been part of the charity association for decades this year they focused on families in Sri Lanka. children off the dirt in their houses, a mosquito net, school supplies, pair of socks and this year they added a pair of shoes to the kit. These simple gifts keep the poverty-stricken families in Sri Lanka happy, a reaction that puzzles the three -decade volunteer who is originally from England. "You'll often have the trans- lator, parents and the Cana- dian in tears over what's being talked about, this is daily life.( I don't know) how they wake up smiling in the morning, but they do' . ,,/ Buren Expositor ADVERT SEIRS! DEADLINES / Our Weekly Deadlines are as follows: ADVERTISING & EDITORIAL Friday @ 2:00 pm OFFICE HOURS: Mon. - Thurs. 9am - 5pm • Fri. 8am - 4pm CLOSED TUESDAYS 8 Main St., Seaforth PH: 519-527-0240 www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com EIRCTORY EJJflftRC'H You are invited to attend these area churches ST. THOMAS ANGLICAN 21 Jarvis St., Seaforth Church Office 519-527-1522 holyspirit@tcc.on.ca The Rev. Lynn Mitchell, Interim Priest Sunday, November 8 Remembrance Sunday We welcome Seaforth Legion Members Worship at 9:30am Everyone Welcome EGMONDVILLE UNITED CHURCH Pastor Steve Hildebrand Worship November 8th 10:30 a.m. Youth Sunday School at 10:30 a.m. Adult Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. Everyone is welcome, so come & join us. Christmas Bazaar & Bake Sale Nov. 14th Line Dancing Lessons every Wednesday, 7:30-8:30 Ill'l BETHEL BIBLE CHURCH An Associated Gospel Church 126 Main St. Seaforth 519-527-0982 Interim Pastor: Rev. Laurie Morris Sunday Worship Service 11:00 a.m. Sunday School for all ages 9:45 a.m. TUESDAY EVENINGS: Youth Groups Junior & Senior High 6:30 - 9 p.m. Boys & Girls Club 7p.m. Wednesdays 7 p.. m. Mens & Womens Bible Study �� EVERYONE WELCOME FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 59 Goderich St. W. Seaforth 519-527-0170 Lorrie Mann - Organist Sunday Worship November 8th, 11:00 am Guest Speaker: Ernie Naylor Sunday School • Nursery Provided as Needed C� ALL WELCOME ea orthhuronex ' ositor.co A young Sri Lankan girl opens up her bed kit that was donated by the Sleeping Children Around The World charity. people are penniless," Hills stated in an interview at the Expositor office. What the unpaid helper was not aware of is that this vibrant ethnic clothing was not theirs, the volunteer told Hills that these items are bor- rowed because they knew the offerings group was coming. The volunteer explained, "what (we are) doing here is bigger than any birthday, wedding or any Christmas and what there are wearing is from friends, relatives. You'll see them tomorrow, they won't be wearing that." Before each family is given the $35 bed kit an interview process is required for each donee. This is essential for the perspective in case a modifi- cation is needed. After the meeting is done the children and parents are smiling ear to ear, said Hills. "You talk to them in the parent interview, you ask them about the bed kit, you ask silly questions, is it useful? They look at you, yeah even the bag it comes in," enlight- ened Hills. The gear usually included a plastic mat to keep the A girl from Sri Lanka smiles after receiving her bed kit. Contributed Chris and Gail Hills, long-term residents of Tuckersmith Township display the bed kits from the Sleeping Children Around The World organization. The couple has been part of the charity association for decades this year they focused on families in Sri Lanka. children off the dirt in their houses, a mosquito net, school supplies, pair of socks and this year they added a pair of shoes to the kit. These simple gifts keep the poverty-stricken families in Sri Lanka happy, a reaction that puzzles the three -decade volunteer who is originally from England. "You'll often have the trans- lator, parents and the Cana- dian in tears over what's being talked about, this is daily life.( I don't know) how they wake up smiling in the morning, but they do' . ,,/ Buren Expositor ADVERT SEIRS! DEADLINES / Our Weekly Deadlines are as follows: ADVERTISING & EDITORIAL Friday @ 2:00 pm OFFICE HOURS: Mon. - Thurs. 9am - 5pm • Fri. 8am - 4pm CLOSED TUESDAYS 8 Main St., Seaforth PH: 519-527-0240 www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com