Hear My VOICE: Velupillai Yesupalan ~ “My father is my role model”
Velupillai Yesupalan feels empty and withdrawn
Velupillai Yesupalan (16) seems nervous and unsettled as he waits at his school during the morning break~ drinks interval as it is called here in Jaffna. He wears a pair of Dark Blue shorts, White short sleeve shirt with the school batch stitched on the pocket of the shirt on left. A pair of his Black shoes removed and kept outside the library of his school. Normally shoes are removed when entering the library, because it is compared to a shrine and considered sacred. Feet covered with a pair of Cotton socks upto his knee are fixed firmly to the Grey cement floor. He takes a while to settle down and talk to me. He is a Grade 11 student of Kondavil Hindu Maha Vidyalayam in Jaffna district, North of Sri Lanka.
“I do not have a father. He was killed during the war. I feel sad and depressed, because I am fatherless. My father is my role model. I want to be like my father, who was helpful to others despite many setbacks” emotionally shares Velupillai Yesupalan as he continuously bites his right hand finger nails, and tears pour through his both eyes and roll down quickly through his tender cheeks.
His family is originally from Thellipalai, moved to Thirunelvely, Iranaimadu, Vallipuram and Puthukkudiyiruppu due to war. They are currently occupying the station master’s quarters in Kondavil.
“My mother works hard to look after us carefully. She tries very hard to feed us with three meals. She is becoming old and finds it hard to do a lot of work. I have three younger brothers and a younger sister. Since, I am the eldest in the family, I have to take care of my mother and siblings. I am trying to study hard and pass the exams, but I get disturbed when I think of my dear father” continues Velupillai Yesupalan.
He rarely talks and plays with his fellow students and friends. He stays reserved.
“My favourite game is cricket. I used to play with my father. Now, I rarely play with my younger brothers. My dream is to become a school teacher” continues Velupillai Yesupalan as he adjusts the school badge on his shirt pocket.
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VERY moving interviews that Ms. Kanagasabapathipillai is sharing with us. Far more effective in shaping our perspectives than what was [Edited] posted by Kusal Perera & Co.
We cannot bring Yesupalan’s father back, but what can we do for him?
I felt really sad to read Yesus story. I cannot control my tears. Can you please send some more details of him or any organisation so i can help this boy to study. Atleast a small help i can do for him. Thanks.
I agree with Ankitha Varma.Please Can you post or email me
more details about this kid. There may be lot of people willing to
help. Thank You
Very moving story, so many young hearts like Yesu suffers as a results of the war we had.
Can you please direct us to help kids like him so we can help in what ever the small ways we can afford.
Thanks writer for the interview.
I would like to help this young student to finish his studies,with no intermidiate people having ashare ofthemoney I send for his education. If you can send me some proofof his existance and a way of contact,i would help him
Sorry to hear your story son.I am from south and my favourite game is cricket as well.I cannot understand why people don’t look at the similarities between us.if there a way of helping kids like you to study i am more than happy to help.please put up the details.
It doesn’t matter he is a Tamil or Sinhalase or Muslim or Indian, as a human being, I have to help a fellow student who suffering in the war. Can anyone please give his contacts, so it would be greatly benefit this poor kid. Atleast for his study sake. Thanks.