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‘Miracle’ baby gives war weary staff something to cheer about… |
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Saturday, 28 March 2009 |
| World Vision Lanka’s (WVL) war weary staff in Vavuniya and in the Wanni had something to cheer about when a staff member’s wife gave birth to a baby girl in early February.
Rita Mary, the wife of Ganapragasam (WVL Project Assistant) was due to give birth during the first week of February but was one of those trapped in the Wanni and unable to move. |
| | When the fighting escalated and the staff and their families were forced to flee the original demilitarized zone, Rita had already resigned herself to having her baby somewhere in the jungles and was praying that the birth would be without complications as there was no medical staff or medicines to protect her.
Several attempts to move Rita out of the region were abandoned owing to safety risks.
When she was just days away from the due date WVL finally succeeded in getting her onto the ICRC ship and she was taken to Trincomalee and admitted to the Trincomalee Hospital.
Two days later, Rita gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Rita and her baby were then taken to the Vavuniya Hospital.
Even as she hails her miracle baby, Rita prays for another. Her husband is among the 16 WVL staff and their families still trapped in the war zone, for whom life is a daily struggle for survival.
Left with only limited possessions they move from bunker to bunker, trying to avoid getting caught in the crossfire or the forced recruitment. WVL continues to advocate for their safe passage and keeps in regular contact with them.
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