A different experience from Covid 19

I was shocked and horrified by the continuous news of the corona virus patients and the associated news of the COVID 19, which originated in Wuhan, China, day by day

But in my country, Sri Lanka, the disease came only a short time later.It created a lot of fear in me Our schools were closed until further notice. The government imposed curfew to maintain social distance between people. Specially the Western Province, where I live, was named as a red zone.With the increasing number of patients being reported daily, the government could not remove the curfew.

At the moment I live with my parents in a house on the fourth floor of the Angulana Sayurupura flats which has about 280 houses.This is the home that the government gave me for my sports skills achievements.From this flat, 52 other houses has been given to the national athletes who had won international awards.Apart from us, most people living in here are those who were affected by the tsunami in 2004.

I consider this place as a 'university'.At first my parents did not like to come here, but I wanted to because I wanted to make a change to the lives of the little children living here. However I managed to make my parents agree with my decision.We settled here only a few months ago.As soon as I arrived, I was able to start the Rantharu Children's Club with the support of  the Housing and Urban Development Authority (UDA) which controls this flat. We were able to do several projects for the children.

In the meantime, the situation that I mentioned earlier came about.By now the people in the flat have been forced to stay indoors.Vast majority of these people were earning money on a daily basis but now they couldn't since they cant go outside for their jobs.

Somehow the days turned into weeks.The government had to continue the curfew.Almost all the shops were closed.Essential items were distributed to people by mobile services.Such vehicles also came to our flat. Father bought goods for us from those vehicles.

One day, a group of people along with Angulana Police OIC  arrived with bags of dry rations.People who heard about this thought that they were giving these bags of dry rations for free.But it was said that they were sold for a reasonable price. At that moment people who were running towards this vehicle stopped like stones.From the 4th floor, I saw how the emotions of those poor faces changed.I was shocked. My father was able to buy few bags worth of Rs.250 for these people.At that moment the OIC had told my father that if he knew anyone who is willing to donate to buy food for these people, he would be pleased and would help my father to distribute them.

My mind was constantly thinking about this.Meanwhile, a mother with a 4-month-old child came to our house and wanted to talk to my mother.She whispered something to my mother's ear.I saw my mother came inside the house and took some money and gave it to her."Why did you give money to her mother?",I asked my mother."Her baby's milk powder was over darling, she asked money to buy a packet of milk powder.I was shocked!

The next day there was another incident.A little girl of our children's club came to our house."Uncle,father asked if you can give Rs.500.There is nothing to eat at home uncle",she told my father.My eyes were filled with tears.I know that my father is not a very rich man.(I meant in money wise, but he is very rich when it comes to humanity wise).So it's hard for father to keep doing this.Because my father is self-employed.

Now it was clear that apart from the virus, there is another huge problem going in the flat,which is HUNGER.Something must be done now.(In the meantime it was announced that the government is making plans for it).I decided that I should do something as I am the Minister of No Poverty of Sustainable Development Goals Children's Parliament of Sri Lanka.First of all, I told my parents my idea.They said they would support.Then I called Dr.Sir.Deshapriya S Wijethunge and told him about my idea, which was to let the people around the world know about this and get help from them for these people.But I had a problem,since I'm still 15 years old I do not have a bank account to receive donations so I took permission from Dr.Sir.Deshapriya S Wijethunge to use my father's NDB account.I prepared a notice and published on social media.(Whatsapp and Facebook)

The first person who spoke to me was Gihan Hettiarachchi, my additional mathematics teacher.He donated me Rs.1000.I was very happy.Together with my parents I arranged a bag of goods.It contained the following:
1. Rice 5kg
2. Mung Beans 250g
3. Potato 500g
4. Onions 500g
5. Soya meat packets 3
6. Flour 1kg

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Now I just wanted to give this to the most deserved family unit at the moment in the flat.Since we have just moved here, we needed someone to help us find the families who really needed this help.There is uncle whose name is 'Samantha'.He is one of the first residents in here.He is a prominent figure in this society.My father told him about this work.With his help I gave out the first donation.I could not express my feelings using words.I felt how helpless they were.

I posted a post thanking Sir Gihan. Then an akki called Nethmi De Silva,who lives in Galle saw this post and donated Rs.3000.I was very happy.We made 3 bags of goods using this money.Samantha Uncle chose three families to give these 3 bags.I went to their houses with Uncle Samantha and my father and gave the bags of goods.One bag contained the following:
1. Rice 5kg
2. Kadala Dhal 500g
3. Potato 500g
4. Onions 500g
5. Soya meat packet 2
6. Flour 1kg

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After this donation, my father made a suggestion that if any more donations were received, we should ask the people who are receiving the donations to come near our house because due to the virus, walking around the flat is dangerous.
Then I posted a post thanking Nethmi Akki.Then Uncle Manjula Herath from Switzerland saw this and donated Rs.5000.I was very happy because I was receiving more donations everyday and so I was able to help more people.We made 5 bags of goods.These 5 donations were given to 5 families and they came near our house to receive this.
* Aunt Nimmi of Ratmalana Special Economic Center provided the goods at the lowest prices for these bags of goods.
Each bag contained the following:
1. Rice 5kg
2. Dhal 1kg
3. Potato 500g
4. Onions 500g
5. Soya meat 250g
6. Flour 1kg
7. Dry fish 100g

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I posted a post thanking Uncle Manjula.Then Madam Linda Rose from England donated Rs.11376. I personally knew her and she is a very famous volunteer who has been helping Sri Lankans since 2004 tsunami.We made 11 bags of goods using the donation.
Each bag contained the following:
1. Rice 5kg
2. Dhal 1kg
3. Potato 500g
4. Onions 500g
5. Soya meat 250g
6. Flour 1kg
7. Dry fish 100g

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"Father can I just say something?Please tatti lets go to their houses and give these donations without making them come to our house,because when we ask them to come to our house and receive the donations they are like beggars.I dont want them to feel that way"
"But daughter you know that this virus is dangerous"
"Oh please father lets take safety measures and go to their houses and give the donations put.I dont mind dying after doing this.
Mother and father agreed with me.So, my father,uncle Samantha,his son and I went together and gave out 10 bags of good to 10 families.One family was living near the beach, so they were asked to come near our house.
I posted a post thanking Madam Linda Rose.

So far, I have been able to donate 20 bags of food worth Rs.1000.Then the government gave Rs.5000 for each family.So I temporarily stopped my program,hoping to start again if needed in the future.

Many people who saw this hospitality, praised me.I sent all the original pictures of distribution of goods, the bill and photos of the goods to all those who donated the money.Everyone who donated money thanked me a lot.They told me that they were very proud of me.Still they talk to me and give advises for my future.

I would like thank again Sir Gihan Hettiarachchi,Nethmi De Silva,Uncle Manjula Herath and Madam Linda Rose ,Uncle Samantha for being honest in selecting the most deserving families, Aunt Nimmi who arranged to deliver the goods on time and for a fair price,my loving Parents and my loving Brother,specially Dr.Sir.Deshapriya S Wijethunge for giving me the chance to do this and guiding me, and all SUNFO and SDGCPSL officials.Thank You.

Conclusion:
I understood that there are a handful of people who enjoy creating trouble whenever something good is done.What I do and what I'll be doing are after agreeing to the honest ideas that come in my mind.I have never lied in my life and I will never.That is a trait I have got from my parents and school.The more barriers comein my way,the more I get stronger.If someone thinks that they can stop my way, I feel sorry for them. Even though I am still 15, I have faced many problems and obstacles in my life to come to this place.Not only me,but also my parents and my brother.My father lost land and vehicles because of my victories in chess.My greatest wish is to do a great service to my country and my world.
Put obstacles along my way, I win them, I get inspired from them, I get motivated. I am thankful for those who are doing it too.
Project report will be published soon.Thank You.

Menuri Sachintha Kodikara
WFM (Youngest Women FIDE Master,title given by World Chess Federation, in Sri Lanka Chess)
Minister of No Poverty of Sustainable Development Goals Children's Parliament of Sri Lanka