Sri Lanka is a Southeast Asian country with a population of 21 million, only 10% of which are Muslim. Sri Lanka, under British colonial rules for over a century, gained its independence in 1948. From 1983 until 2009, during the struggle of Buddhist Sinhalas and Hindu Tamils, Kah Kara Thursday massacres resulted in the killing of thousands of Muslims and the migration of hundreds of thousands. Even today, well over one hundred thousand Muslims await to return to their homes.

IHH, carrying out work in Sri Lanka for over 10 years, carried out the 2014 Orphan Solidarity Days program with orphan children, their siblings and mothers from cities such as Colombo, Mawanella, Oddamavady, Mutur, Kalawewa, Puttalam and Panadura. Within the framework of the event 2000 fruit-tree saplings were planted and educative programs were organised with the intention to form environmental awareness and protection. While the handing over of 12 homes to orphan families and refugees were being made, the joy of the families was definitely a sight worth seeing. As part of the Orphan Solidarity Days, the distribution of greenhouses and sewing machines also took place. While greenhouses were being installed to 5 family homes so they can procure a living, sewing machine were distributed to 10 other families.

While the IHH team also executed visits to the homes of orphans, they also had the opportunity to convey the warm love and greetings of Turkish Muslims. Throughout the program, Orphan Solidarity Days, carried out in every city, our little youth performed presentations, theatrical shows, poems and anthems that gathered the liking of all the families and especially of the IHH team that was present.

In some regions, children carried out painting contests with an environmental theme and sent letters to the families in Turkey that are supporting them. There is no doubt that the program’s most joyful moments took place during the picnics. Children participated in events such as sack races and tug of war as well as other sporting competitions. Men and women participated in separate events and children who won were rewarded. Furthermore, depending on the children’s age groups and gender, gifts were presented to 1500 children.

The IHH’s Sri Lanka team also visited 15 acres of land in which they plan on building a Sri Lanka Orphan Education Complex consisting of a school, mosque, health centre and orphanage. The complex is planned to be completed within the year 2014 and serve 100 boarding students as well as 1,000 other students within their education and health centres.