Joy and Hope

by Victor Karunairajan

Inpacholai of the JDCSI
Founded nineteen, nine and three
In God’s name a commitment
An inspired project of joy
Has taken strong roots
In the neighbouring villages
Of Araly and Vaddukoddai
And further afield too.

Amidst their trials and WOE
Widows, Orphans and Elders
We the very fortunate OWE,
Orphans, Widows and Elders
Our generous gifts and skills
And our dedicated involvement
To release them from hunger
And the prevailing darkness
Pestilence that damned them
For too long a time.

Surely our mission task today
Demands that we reckon
The painful needs of our time
To help lift the darkness
And ensure light on the path
And chart their own future
Through such terrible trials
With their hopes firmly entrenched.

(07, January, 2008, Sydney, Sri Lanka Guardian)

Victor Karunairajan, a journalist with extensive East-West experience has had an exciting career having worked with Anglican, CSI and Catholic institutions, a Buddhist organization and a socialist government in as many as seven countries. He has been a parents' leader of Jaffna College which he served as member of its Board of Directors and for four years, a member of the Jaffna Diocesan Council. Recently he wrote and published a book on the Dances of India which was very popularly received.