G. L. Sarathchandra,
164/2/1 Subasadana Mawatha,
Pahala Biyanwila,
Kadawatha Sri Lanka.
E-mail: glsarath58@yahoo.com

Dear Sir/Madam,

Help Sought for Hearing Impaired Child

We were a family residing in Galle District. Our 1st child was about 6 years old and was attending the year one (1) Class at Richmond College Galle, Sri Lanka.

Our 2nd child is a daughter. When she was two years old we noticed that she was unable to talk. Then we consulted many doctors and E.N.T. surgeons in Galle and Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Upon extensive tests it was found that the child was born with impaired hearing. We were advised to use hearing aids and to send her to speech therapy.

As a diabetic the news of the child was so shocking, my blood sugar level rose and had to undergo medical treatment for a long period of time to bring back my health to normalcy.

We could not find a place for speech therapy in the Galle area. Then we heard of a School for children impaired of hearing conducted by Rev.Sister Greta at Lumbini Mawatha, Dalugama, Kelaniya, in Colombo district.

After going through the interviews and tests by the Rev. Sister, it was discovered that the child was in fact a very clever in studies. It was some relief for our mental agony to hear that the child was accepted to the institute.

We left our own home in Galle and rented a little apartment closer to the school for Rs. 4,000/ - per month. Water and electricity were additional costs. Beside that extra cost on our child's special education scheme that requires many stationery items comes to about another Rs.4000/ = per month. The batteries for hearing aids cost about Rs. 500/ - per month.

As the system in this school the mother too has to accompany the child. All the exercises done in school have to be practiced at home with the child. So the mother also could not find an employment and has to be occupied with her work full time.

I have to bare all these expenses. I don't have a permanent job too. The work I do is on a daily payment basis. I find it very difficult to make ends meet.

Along with this latter I am submitting all medical and other reports for your information and Observations.

We appeal to you to consider any possible assistance towards the operation (Coclear implant) which will cost us Sri Lanka rupees 2.3 million (US $ 23,000) for the implant. Which enable her to live a normal life, the speech therapy has to be continued even after the operation

All our efforts to the child's education and the future will materialize only upon extended assistance from you, due to the difficult circumstance faced by us, therefore we urge your good foundation to kindly consider any and all possible assistance to help make and build a future to our child.

If you may graciously consider granting assistance it could be directly remitted to her account. I am hoping and awaiting a reply soon that would enlighten the life of my little daughter.

Thanking you in advance

Yours Faithfully

G.L. Sarathchandra (Father).