Help her, don't use her

By Shelani de Silva

A few months ago, much hue and cry was made over a giant baby living in a hamlet in Dimbulagala, with thousands flocking to see the 'Yoda Baba' as he was called.

So much so the once sleepy village of Ulpatha became a hive of activity with nearly 300 to 400 vehicles arriving daily to marvel at baby Umantha.

Even before the fuss over this baby subsided, another child from Kosgama has been discovered with a similar condition. Chathurika Munesinghe, also one and a half spends her days with much difficulty due to her weight 22 kilos now, Chathurika has shown several signs of ill health. She is left in the care of an aunt as both parents work.

The story broke last week when the desperate parents made an appeal to the public to help them financially to get medical treatment for the child and for her upkeep. The news spread like wild fire and people were seen queueing at Akaravita, Kosgama to see this unusual child.

Chathurika, was born a healthy six pound baby. Being their first child both parents though young were eager for the new arrival. A fortnight later, the baby contracted the flu, and she was treated somewhat belatedly, resulting in an infection.

Chathurika spent some time at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital in Colombo but the damage was done. To the parents horror and anguish they saw their baby developing in the most unnatural manner.

Unable to walk yet, Chathurika is kept on a mat with five to six pillows to balance her and spends her time playing with her toys.

"She has no problem in sleeping. We feed her only milk and biscuits. The doctors told us not to give her rice so we give her some only when we eat," said Chathurika's aunt D K Karunawathi.

Bathing and taking her to the toilet is however difficult. Carrying and comforting her when she cries is also burdensome.

"More than it being difficult we are terrified of what size she will grow to be. That is why we appealed to the public. We did this, not for the publicity but for the child's sake, but people have misunderstood us," she said.

The people she was referring to were the villagers who according to her have spread several rumours that the family is trying to make a living out of the child.

"We know what the child is going through and we have done as much as possible. There are some villagers who are genuinely concerned, but on the other hand there are the jealous types. We should be cursed if we are living out of the baby,' Karunawathi said.

Within a few days a small boutique with refreshments, similar to the Dimbulagala shops on the way to the child's home had come up. Already the villagers have made the roadway leading to Chathurika's home, and nearby houses provide their gardens for parking space.

People from adjoining villages and Colombo had begun making the journey to see her.

"Many come during the weekend. We don't expect anything but they give us milk powder, biscuits or money. Most are curious. We will not stop them neither will we encourage them, but we are not that keen on photographing the child. She also gets irritated and frightened when people crowd her,' said the aunt.

Several politicians in the area too had visited Chathurika, and Karunawathi says they had promised to help obtain medical assistance for the child.

Among the crowds were several astrologers, requesting the child's horoscope. Some, the family say, asked them to take the child to several Devales and temples to offer poojas. Some have told the family that the child is a reincarnation of a giant and some others have made a connection between the 'Yoda Baba' of Dimbulagala and Chathurika.

Whether Chathurika is another 'Yoda Baba' is left to be seen but she definitely needs medical help and that too immediately.

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