Plus

Plus

A little love is all they need
By Nayomini Ratnayake Weerasooriya
What does it take to put a smile on a child's face this Christmas?
A balloon, a visit to the zoo or perhaps a new toy. For Rual and Morrik, it is a Spiderman cartoon... for little Chamari, her cheeks turning rosy in the cold, a Barbie doll... even a used one will do. But what they, along with twenty six other children of the Paynter Home, Nuwara Eliya, want most is love, warmth and laughter. A moment they - and you, could cherish. A moment to last a lifetime.

The Paynter Home, established in 1924 by Rev. Arnold G. Paynter, has been a haven for children discarded, unwanted and unloved. Over the years, the home's loving atmosphere and nurturing care have enabled hundreds of youngsters to walk into the world as balanced human beings, able to give their best to the world.

The long drive to Nuwara Eliya ends just below the towering Piduruthalagala peak. Nestled among majestic pine trees, covered in mist, a collection of early 20th century buildings beckon. This is what twenty nine children call home - the Paynter Home. The buildings are quaint and old-fashioned, and look cosy to come home to. It is cold - but that vanishes when the children, their cheeks rosy, their smiles wide, reach out to greet you. They are well mannered, never short of ‘thank yous’ and ‘good mornings’.
The children come from various backgrounds - from the estates, from villages and a few from Colombo. There are Tamil, Sinhalese and Burgher children, all huddled together, one big family. They love the manager of the home, Ravi. For him, twenty-nine voices speaking at the same time is an everyday scenario.

The youngest at the home is Wasanthi - we assume she is around four years old. She has no birth certificate, no parents. Abandoned, she was brought here. She has had many names, but Wasanthi seems to have stuck. A sweet little smile lights her face - she loves to hug and to hold your little finger.

Prabhu, the youngest boy, is small for a five-year-old. His face lights up when he sees a toy. He, along with his two brothers and two sisters were also abandoned. His sister Nishanthi loves to dance to the tune of 'Barbie Girl'. A bright-eyed little girl, she loves to run down the hills, her hair flying in the wind.

Some children have parents, a relative to go home to, for the holidays. Come school holidays and they can be found packing their bags merrily, eagerly awaiting a loved one who comes to fetch them. The "bag-packing ritual" catches on - soon, those who have nowhere to go also pack.

Their friends leave - as the last one waves goodbye, Ravi narrates how slowly, one by one, those who packed their bags unpack. For them, a home to go to for the holidays remains a dream. Ravi, his team and the matrons try to make it upto them.

Watching over them lovingly is Val Paynter, now in her eighties. Aunt Val as she is fondly referred to, is the wife of Rev. Arnold and mother of Kathleen Paynter Bartely. Although residing in Canada, Kathleen and her husband Brian are involved in the running of the home and visit Sri Lanka often. There are many sad stories about the children, some will break your heart. One little boy runs when he sees a prison vehicle.

He thinks they have come to take him, yet again. Neglected by his parents, he had 'done his time' between homes, as he was transferred through the judicial system: from home to home before being sent to the Paynter Home, sick with pus-infested ears. Even today, when he sees a prison van, it brings back the trauma.
Many have histories of abuse and neglect - they thrive on a little love shown, a little bit of care taken to spend time with them. They have not received much love; they soak up everything you've got to offer them.

The home has many needs - the buildings are old and need renovation. The children require clothes, toys, meals and school equipment. It breaks your heart to see them cherish an old toy. A little gesture means so much to them - a painting book, a cartoon book, a little toy. Back home such things are often taken for granted. One of the boys, a mischievous grin on his face, shows me his toy, a car with peeling paint. Others rally around, keen to show theirs. When one comes forward to show his book, others rush to get theirs. They hang on to your every word.

These are children who have missed parental love - no mother to hug them, no father to bring them sweets in the evening. But Ravi and his team fill in, doing an admirable job of being family.

Ravi becomes the father, the mother they never had or cannot remember. For those who have no homes to go to, homes too poor to care for them, he is the parent substitute. Watching little faces light up with smiles, as a cold night sets in, you wonder - what does it take to make a child happy - very little.

There are many plans afoot at Paynter Home - one is to ensure self-sustenance. With the fertile Nuwara Eliya soil, on the cards is organically grown vegetables, a dairy with fresh produce, home made jams, drinks and many other natural products - to be marketed under the Paynter Home brand - it is hoped that the project will provide funding for the home.

Back to Plus