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Mairani's feeling left behind..

MSC archived stories - October 8, 2023

Following my recent memo inquiry to Field staff, Mairani's latest Family Record has been updated but showing the original release date of July 25. It appears that her favourite subject changed from Electronics to 'Reading/Literature, Mathematics, Grammar' and Family Income of $460 changed to Average Monthly Family Income of $225. If I did not notice the first version of this FR, I'd never have known or queried her interests in science. I wonder why the date has not amended whenever there is a change made.

 

Beside this, I received her latest CR letter (added to media). I'm glad that she's capable of accepting people and situation as they are, as it is not your decision that your friends left you. So, I wanted to shift her focus away from feeling behind or social exclusion.

 

Dear Mairani,

I hope this letter finds you well and you are keeping safe.

I was happy to receive your biannual letter. I'm too sending you heartfelt congratulations today and wishing you all the best on your teenage years. In fact, when I saw your latest annual photo taken by Children International, I gave a shout out to the whole world about you reaching this milestone!

The Family Record presented to me recently by CI mentioned of your favourite subject being electronics, which was one of mine too at your age. I was brought up in Sri Lanka and living in our family bungalow. Those days, I wanted to make a two-way voice communication system to contact my mom when she is in the kitchen from my study room situated some distance away. So, with my interests in circuit building, had to learn and then mail order to get the components I needed. Can you believe, it was very exciting for us to be able to talk through our first ever telephone I made. It was to me like when Neil Armstrong landed on moon for the first time in 1969, and said.. "That's one small step for man. One giant leap for mankind." Many years later, we had our modern telephone installed at home.

When I leaned that you have an interest in electronics, I wanted to encourage you to read books written about how science can help to explore solutions to our daily practical needs. For example, do you walk or take a bus to school? Do you have in Mexico where people can buy mobile tickets to travel on bus? Say, one day you come up with an idea where people can share a mobile ticket (purchased using a mobile app) with others when they are not using it during the day or month from anywhere in the world and use to travel on their local transport system. When travel costs are rising yearly, yet living in an ever closer world, why isn't a system invented, so that people can share cost of public transport no matter where they live.. what do you think?

Also, I was just wondering dhuwa (daughter as in my mother tongue) whether there is anyone else in your household other than your mom able to support you financially.

I hope you enjoy your regular walks to the water park as much as I loved the sound of you connecting to the nature.

Love, Chelaka

Comments

  1. chelaka29 March 2025 at 14:33

    Chelaka, I love how you are trying to encourage Mairani's interest in electronics! I think it is important to encourage young girls' interest in science and technology everywhere. Sad to hear she feels a little left out...hopefully she finds a new group of friends soon as she sounds very smart and resilient!

    October 11, 2023

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  2. chelaka29 March 2025 at 14:33

    Teens can be so cruel. I also hope she'll find a nice group of friends, I'm glad she has your thoughtful support.

    October 12, 2023

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  3. chelaka29 March 2025 at 14:33

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts. As Mairani alluded, forming new friendships with those who they can relate to at this time in their lives seems really significant change teens over there wanting to make. One such comes to my mind is that her mom might say, Mairani can’t go somewhere because she has to babysit her 4yr old brother. Hopefully, EG I just sent will not only support her desires to learn more but also through the experience of being left behind on her mental well-being.

    October 12, 2023

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  4. chelaka29 March 2025 at 14:34

    What a great letter of support for her! My daughter also went through “fair weather friends” at that age, it’s a tough age with all the raging hormones, jealousy, and cliques. It’s hard to care for someone so far away and not be able to help more than writing letters, when what you want to do is give her a big hug! . But I’m sure knowing she has a loving sponsor helps and I’m sure things will work out for her.

    October 14, 2023

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  5. chelaka29 March 2025 at 14:34

    Thanks Lisa! To me, writing or sending gifts counts only 20% of my sponsorship impact. The rest I rely on CI facilities, staff and program deliveries that children are given to make most out. In the same year when I started with Mairani (age 6) mental health curriculum was tested in Mexico, where CI recognized this as a priority health issue, saying.. "Our kids face difficult circumstances, but by building up their resilience, we can help them create a strong foundation for handling any adversity they may face". I'm proud that Mairani's making strides to overcome youth challenges. [more on MHC -- www.children.org/learn-more/newsroom/2018/february/children-International-tests-new-mental-health-curriculum]

    October 15, 2023

    ReplyDelete
  6. chelaka29 March 2025 at 14:34

    Chelaka you really are the best sponsor- so kind and encouraging. I’m sure Mairani is benefiting from your encouragement and unconditional love.

    November 3, 2023

    ReplyDelete

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