Soon my time in Vavuniya will be over. I have one more day at the hospital and then I will be moving onto Trincomalee. I can hardly believe that I have been here for 2.5 weeks. It was definitely an experience I will remember. I met some lovely people.
One person special note is Nixon, he was such a welcoming and giving person. I will have to remember this when I am in Canada and someone is new in town. I can not explain how much I appreciated all his help and friendly personality; he picked me up every morning to drive me to the hospital on his motorcycle, he would call me to make sure I was safe if he knew I was out alone, he made sure I had a good deal on a hotel while staying in Vavuniya (before my arrival he went around to several hotels and bargained a good price for me, $19/day compared to$30/day ... a big deal when you are traveling on a budget), he organized an amazing trip to his hometown on the weekend, he took me out for drinks one evening, gave me his personal computer to use since mine isn't working, gave me any tips or translation that I needed, etc. Thank you Nixon!
Nixon has a very interesting background. He had previously worked for the Red Cross during the war against the LTTE in Sri Lanka (which had lasted 30 years, and was officially finished 3 years ago. Almost his entire lifetime). He was based on a ship that was anchored just off the coast. Wounded soliders, civilians, and refugees were brought to the ship for treatment and refuge. As far as I understand, his position was a coordinator, organizing the comings and goings of people as well as negotiations. He told me that he had witnessed a great deal of horrible and inhumane things that had happened to people. I did not get any specific details, but he said when he left the job he had to go for post traumatic stress for over a year.
I had asked Nixon if he had personally witnessed any traumatic events during the war. He said only one, for which he was extremely thankful. He told me a story about an attack that had taken place in his hometown of Manner. The LTTE had invaded the town and started attacking civilians, firing their guns into the village, throwing grenades into homes, etc. As a way to escape the villagers ran to the local church, hoping the thick walls of the building would protect them from the bullets and shell blasting. Hundreds of people packed into the walls, until there was standing room only. People were so tightly packed into the church their faces were inches apart of each other. Attempts were made to secure the building; doors were closed and locked, and the shutters of the windows were sealed. As the last window was being closed two grenades were thrown into crowded church. Unfortunately, one person died, a few injured. However, Nixon said it was miracle more people were not hurt or killed. I cannot not imagine going through something like this. The fear that these people must have experienced. What a life experience to have survived!?
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