Ahimsa’s Project For Cambodian Street Kids
February 3, 2014
“I had the most amazing relationship with my dad; he was one of my best friends and he was one of the few people I trusted completely. Losing him, in such a violent manner, has been the most painful and traumatic experience in my life; what also hurts is that I can no longer confide in my dad who supported me in all my decisions, dreams, ambitions and desires……..”Ahimsa Wickrematunge
Ahimsa, the only daughter of the slain Editor of the Sunday Leader Lasantha Wickrematunge, is finally starting to pick up the pieces of her traumatised young life, five years after her precious father was snatched from her, by cruel and heartless hands.
Lasantha and Ahimsa
Ahimsa Wickrematunge is on a laudable mission- Help Cambodia’s Street Kids- one which her father Lasantha, would have been proud of, had he still been with us.
Following is Ahimsa’s message-
“In 2012, I searched for those that needed aid the most, and was led to Cambodia. While there are people in need in every country, what I witnessed
in Cambodia, was shockingly overwhelming, and has troubled me greatly.
in Cambodia, was shockingly overwhelming, and has troubled me greatly.
I want to start by raising awareness, for this one particular organization-
Les Restaurant des Enfants (LRDE). It is a place, where over 300 children who range from ages 3-16, can take refuge in, every day. These children are either homeless, or live in the rural slums of Phnom Penh.
What I witnessed firsthand at the slums, was a gut punch. I still remember one volunteer telling me, how he bashed his head on a wall, and the whole house shaking over the river.
These children live under the most horrific circumstances.
Lal and Ahimsa
This is weighing very heavily on my conscience, as it should for all of us. I think and worry about these kids almost every day, but I take comfort in knowing, they are being taken care of, the best they could be, through the work of the LRDE.
These kids are forced into either prostitution or employment, as young as 7 years. The LRDE helps these children everyday by providing them with meals, education and healthcare, by a doctor who treats all the children every month, and provides them with all their basic needs, which they consider a luxury.
These children are led from prostitution and employment, into having real childhoods, and are being given a future through education; giving their families hope.
A lot of children in Phnom Penh, who can’t make it to the LRDE, are given transportation. This organization also helps their families monthly, with ration bags and rice. I can’t begin to express the amazing and admirable work the LRDE does on a daily basis.
Please help me help these children. I know it sounds so cliché, but trust me when I say, every single dollar counts, and goes SUCH a long way.
I am so grateful, to have been led to this amazing organization, that works so tirelessly, to better the lives of these kids.
Thanks and God Bless everyone for their generosity.”
Ahimsa Wickrematunge
