And when I got home - Malinda Senanayake

I’m Malinda Senanayake. I’m 19 years old and I am a Sri Lankan Scout involved in the Ticket To Life (TTL) project that was established to help “Street Children.” Mostly, these kids come from struggling, rural, families who need them to work, usually for long hours, often in deplorable conditions doing menial tasks, like having to sell trinkets on behalf of less than generous vendors. There is little opportunity to attend school. Not everyone lives on the street but whatever their circumstance there isn’t much protection, care or guidance, from adults, for these kids. In poor communities everyone struggles to survive. 

Scouting helped me and I thought what more can I do? So I became involved in TTL. I also took the initiative to establish Scout troops in two orphanages. Getting those started was a challenge. However, I was able to persuade the authorities about the benefits of TTL and, perhaps, because I am a Scout, I have gained their trust. Although parades are on different days the orphans are still part of my troop. So when it comes to outings we all participate as one group. There are fifteen regulars and thirty from the orphanages. I turn no one away and I am happy to include everyone in my activities.

My program is based on the Scouting syllabus but I have also adapted it to meet local realities. I try to encourage my kids by being positive. I try to raise their awareness of the many options they have in life by arranging vocational training. For example, we recently participated in a small workshop that was conducted by a fire fighter, with all the real equipment. Now my whole troop wants to become firemen… including me!

Malinda, on his first overseas trip, attended the Philmont Scout Ranch in the USA in 2005. With eight other strangers he endured a tough challenge in the mountains. That adventure, combined with his own experience not only impacted on Malinda’s life but emboldened him to better the lives of 45 other people. Imagine the impact if we could all replicate his example. Malinda, like so many other Scouts, is inspirational. He has changed his corner of the world!