• He's a small wonder
• A child's faith
• Much ado about macho
• Patricia, my love!
• Walking tall or high risk?
• Looking to the stars 
• 

He's a small wonder

By Laila Nasry 

From his childhood Rajeev has been surrounded by cars and practically grew up under them. The Fernando's had a car repair place in their front yard and young Rajeev was constantly seen with grease on his face and tools in his hands, tinkering with the cars brought to the garage. This "messing around" developed into a serious hobby and soon he transformed the family backyard into a very interesting scrap yard with car parts strewn around.

Here Rajeev learnt about every single part of the car, how they function and their use and spent numerous hours 'budding' these different car parts. The result was young Rajeev then 16, creating his own car —'Rajeev Special'. This car got a lot of recognition at his school exhibition and even went on to win the first place in motor mechanics at a competition held for the entire Kalutara district. 

Soon he was known in school as "the boy who makes cars", so when the millennium exhibition came up he inevitably had to make another car. This time it was 'Rajeev 2000'. He began his project during the ample spare time in the months after his O.Ls. Looking at the car one is amazed at the creativity and individuality that has gone into its creation. As the car is low he has placed the petrol tank on the overhead roof so that it will be hassle-free when pumping gas. To make the vehicle light he decided to fit the windows with Perspex, a type of plastic. "It was a lot of hard work and very tiring. But all the same fun," he says. "My brothers helped me out a lot and my father and uncles advised me well." 

Unlike most other 18-year-olds who have to beg for the family car or sneak out with it, Rajeev with a car of his own has unfettered mobility. Come big match time and he is cruising the streets with his friends either in his open hooded 'special' or his '2000'. But it's not play all the time for Rajeev who's perceived as reliable by most of his Dad's friends and neighbours, who entrust him with their car repairs. Does he charge a fee? "No not from them, because I know them well," he says. But this does not mean he is not business minded altogether. He does make hefty commissions selling his re-assembled cars. Nevertheless the money is soon spent on spare parts he gets from abroad, especially Australia through his father's friend. 

Having taught himself to drive at the tender age of 12, Rajeev had great plans of racing his cars. But the thought was lost along the process of growing up. Though 'Rajeev 2000' has not been registered yet, he is quick to add that once it is, the car can be tracked. 

Rajeev with all this car work is not side-tracked but strives to do his schoolwork and tuition equally successfully. "The school is very supportive and at times the masters ask me about motor mechanics!" he adds with a grin. Having the talent and potential to be the next Henry Ford or Daimler, one imagines Rajeev would eventually take up motor mechanics and make a career as an automobile engineer. 

But this independent lad has a mind of his own and aspires to become a doctor. "I just long to have that word 'Dr' before my name. I am studying bio-science for my A.Ls for which I will sit in 2001. This, however, does not mean that his 'car craze' will fizzle out. He has great plans to make the first fibreglass car and the first solar-powered car in Sri Lanka. Not tall dreams for this wonder boy.

A child's faith

By Sal Williams

It was the end of July. My brother-in-law who lived in Jaffna with his family, was in Colombo to attend some meetings and wasn't quite sure as to when he could get back. Travel was unpredictable and it often meant train or bus journeys, many a check-point, a bag search, tractor rides and walking too. 

Suri was keen to return to Jaffna by August 5, as it was his son's birthday. Usually one had to leave about two days for travel. After a few days of waiting, he finally managed to go to Vavuniya by train on August 4, feeling sad that he would be late. As usual he took with him biscuits, drinking water and a few edibles to keep him going. He also had to travel light for practical reasons. 

We bade him goodbye, not sure ourselves as to when he would reach Jaffna. Communication via the telephone was not possible. Our only prayer was that the Lord would take him across safely to his waiting family.

We anxiously awaited news that would tell us he had reached Jaffna safely. Subsequently, we received a letter, which brought tears to our eyes. Suri had reached Jaffna after midnight on the 4th and got home at 2.00 a.m. on the 5th.

On his arrival Shanthi his wife who was awoken from her sleep was surprised. She had taken him quietly to the living room where he saw a poster. On it he saw his 8-year-old daughter Miriam's large hand writing which said 'Welcome Home Appa'. He couldn't believe it and was moved himself. In fact on the 4th evening she had insisted that her mother buy an extra half-pound of bread for Appa who would be hungry when he arrived. Shanthi, not wanting the child to be disappointed had gently told her that Appa may not be there on the 5th as travel was so difficult and unpredictable. But Miriam couldn't be deterred and the bread was bought. The little girl had insisted that her Appa would arrive for her little brother's birthday, and added, that she had prayed and was sure God would bring him safely. She had put up her poster with much joy and gone to sleep in the hope of seeing her Appa the next day. Her faith was rewarded! 

Her little brother, who was equally thrilled at seeing his Appa, would know later about his sister's prayer. Miriam has touched our lives at various points, especially in the years that she grew up in Jaffna and learned to trust God, as her parents did. Her childlike faith has challenged me to trust God for daily miracles.

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