June 7, 2017
Age: 7
Girl
March 4, 2020
Age: 4
Girl
August 19, 2018
Age: 6
Boy
October 27, 2014
Age: 10
Boy
Saruya is 7 years old and lives in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka has been identified as country that is highly vulnerable to food shortages during the global food crisis. Sponsorship can help Saruya and his family get the nourishment they need.
I live with my mother and father in the Mullaitivu area. The primary language where I live is Tamil. My father is sometimes employed as a day labourer. At home, the chores and duties I'm responsible for are animal care, cleaning, helping in the kitchen and sewing. I like art and/or drawing, ball games, baseball and bicycling. I am in the equivalent of preschool.
Sri Lanka is an island nation lying just south of India in the Indian Ocean. The land is mostly made up of low-lying, fertile plains, except for a mountainous region in the south. Because of its tropical location, Sri Lanka experiences an extremely rainy climate, with monsoons in the northeast from December to March and monsoons in the southwest from June to October. Its rich forests are home to hundreds of species of birds, as well as the Sri Lankan leopard and Sri Lankan elephant.
Most Sri Lankans belong to the Sinhalese people, although there is a substantial Tamil minority, along with other smaller groups. Sinhala is the official language, along with Tamil. Although English is used in the government, only 10 per cent of the population speaks English. Buddhism is the dominant religion, practised by 70 per cent of Sri Lankans, while a small minority practise Islam, Hinduism and Christianity. Located close to the major shipping routes in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka has long been famous for its exports of cinnamon, tea, rubber and fabulous gemstones. Today, more than half of Sri Lanka's exports consist of textiles and garments. Many Sri Lankans also work abroad, especially in the Middle East, and send home remittances.
Through the centuries, many waves of migration and conquest have swept through Sri Lanka from countries such as India, China, Malaya, Portugal, the Netherlands and Great Britain. Sri Lanka celebrated its independence in 1948. Originally known as Ceylon, Sri Lanka became its official name in 1972. Beginning in 1983, the Sinhalese majority and the Tamil minority fought an ethnic war that lasted for more than two decades. Repeated efforts to broker and maintain a peace agreement between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) were ultimately unsuccessful, and the conflict continued until May of 2009, when the government defeated the LTTE, finally bringing resolution to the longstanding conflict. Although peace has returned to the island, many challenges still remain as the country struggles with high foreign debt and economic instability.
Compassion’s ministry is focused on what we call holistic child development. This means developing children in all the different aspects of their lives—their minds, bodies and relationships—while giving them the opportunity to hear about and experience the love of Jesus from caring local church staff and volunteers.
Absolutely not! We encourage children and families of all faiths and backgrounds to register in our programs and would never require or coerce anyone to convert to Christianity.
Learn MoreToday, children around the world are discovering that poverty doesn’t have to be their future. Help one more do the same by sponsoring with Compassion!
While we're sorry you could not sponsor this specific child, we would love to help you find a different child to sponsor.
Age:
