Published in Baptist Standard
Many families see it as a milestone when they are able to send their first child to college. The family of caregivers associated with Children’s Emergency Relief International is no exception.
CERI, the overseas arm of Baptist Child & Family Services, established the foster care system in Sri Lanka at the government’s request after a devastating tsunami swept across the island five years ago, leaving thousands of children orphaned.
Since then, CERI caseworkers have found permanent homes for the children in their care.
And the CERI-Southeast Asia family is celebrating an important achievement by one of the young adults in its care. Thanks to CERI’s financial and emotional support, 20-year old Velautham Subasini was recently accepted to college.
Only 11 percent of the children in Sri Lanka who take pre-university classes go on to study in college. Thanks to CERI, Subasini said, she has confidence to achieve her goals. Subasini has been with CERI two and a half years, and financial provision for her pre-university education was made possible solely by CERI supporters.
Subasini has three sisters and two brothers. When she was just 1 year old, her father disappeared in the civil war that continues to plague Sri Lanka. Two years ago, her mother died of cancer. Since then, she has lived with her aunt, and CERI has helped the family with basic day-to-day needs.
“CERI’s financial assistance, love and care are a Godsend in my life,” said Subasini. “I believe God will continue to support me as I further my education.”
