Colombo, a talent show in favor of refugees

Organised by the Refugee Care Network and held last June 20 in conjunction with the UN World Day.  The association cares for 450 refugee families, for a total of a thousand people.  Herman Kumara: they are "brothers and sisters" with "talent".  The support of the local Catholic Church.

Colombo (AsiaNews) - Under the motto launched by the UN secretariat general António Guterres "Together we heal, learn and shine", on 20 June an activist movement from Sri Lanka celebrated World Refugee Day with an original talent show.  Promoted by the "Refugee Care Network" (ReCan), the event allowed young people and children from migrant and refugee families to express their skills, in addition to the expectations and frustrations of often harsh living conditions.

The initiative involved 125 refugees, organisers and officials, special guests and supporters of the association.  Since last January, ReCan has been taking care of 450 refugee families, for a total of one thousand people.  They include 175 children, a hundred young people and over 300 elderly people who, according to the law, cannot work and do not enjoy rights or protections.  They are located in the various centers in Negombo and Colombo, a small part also in Kandy and Kadana.

Introducing the initiative, Herman Kumara, one of the coordinators of ReCan, stresses that these refugees are "talented" "brothers and sisters" who deserve proper care and treatment. 

He said "our team focuses a lot on developing their skills and potential" in addition to "education" and that is why it was decided to promote a talent show.  Addressing the participants, he told them  “we work so that you can develop all the talent and potential, your life, and so that your future is bright”.

The activist thanked "all those who support our work" and collaborate with us "in this process" of development and learning.  Among the various realities in the field there is also Nafso, alongside ReCan in this important social initiative that "will allow us to make our country healthier and safer" even for its own inhabitants.

Representing the Catholic Church, Fr.  Anton Sriyan, national director of the Episcopal Commission for Migrants and Refugees.  In his speech, he expressed the applause and support of bishops and priests for the work of the NGO and, addressing those present, he recalled that it is the task of all of us to provide help, protection, education and support for the development of the capacities of these kids and children.

Raga Alphonses, ReCan consultant, recalls how important it is today to "think globally" in a spirit of solidarity and not only when problems "affect us closely".  He gives the example of vaccines for Covid, for which "we need the world and global support".  "When we have a humanitarian emergency, we want the world to support us.  But we are not ready to take on global responsibility for refugees and displaced people," concluded the activist.

• Sri Lanka
• rifugiati
• profughi
• giornata internazionale
• diritti umani
• povertà sviluppo
• economia